A small dwelling ruin about one mile above House on Fire ruin in the South Fork of Mule Canyon.

Bears Ears National Monument is the 12th national monument managed by the Forest Service; it is the fifth to be managed jointly by the Forest Service and BLM. Monuments generally preserve current uses of the land, including tribal access for traditional plant and firewood gathering and for ceremonial purposes, off-highway recreation on existing routes, grazing, hunting and fishing and water and utility infrastructure.

House on Fire Anasazi Ruin is located in Mule Canyon, and is a well known and highly visited ruin in the area. It’s only a 1.5 mile hike (3 miles round trip) to the ruin, and it’s unique in that at certain times of the day when the sun is hitting it just right, the coloring of the rock above the ruin looks like flames and smoke are coming out of the top of the ruin.

From the trailhead, start up South Fork Mule Canyon. About a mile from the trailhead, the first ruin is on the right. This is House of Fire Ruin. All the ruins are on the right (south facing) side of the canyon. Keep a sharp eye out, there are many ruins on various levels of the canyon.

About 3 miles from the trailhead, a pool and small dryfall force the trail up and out of the canyon floor on the south side. Follow the trail around the dryfall, and look for a big ruin a few minutes up the canyon on the right. It is well hidden by large trees, but a good landmark and very good ruin.

Continue up from the big ruin to the next side canyon coming in on the right. This side canyon contains Wall Ruin, a fantastic ruin. Follow the side canyon up about 5 minutes to the obvious ruin on the right (east) wall.

Continuing up in the main canyon, there are several more ruins shortly above the Wall Ruin side canyon. The most spectacular of these, Doorway Ruin, is in the next side canyon up from the Wall Ruin side canyon. Access is by going up the side canyon and traversing back to the ruin. Be careful, it is easy, but very exposed.