Dankworth Village

Dankworth Village is a site lying at the end of a moderately easy hike within Dankworth Pond State Park.The village site lies atop a small mesa at the midpoint of a 1.7 mile hike that crosses the park. To reach the village, hikers will actually cross a combination of designated trails that go throughout the park. The Dankworth Loop circles the pond, the Dos Arroyos Trail creates a loop beginning at the far end of the pond, and the marked Dankworth Village Trail begins at the far end of the Dos Arroyos path. Despite the several marked trails, the route to the village site is easy to follow.Beginning at the trailhead, Dankworth Village and the replica Native American village dwellings lie atop the mesa - the only elevated area of land visible at the far eastern end of the park.Walking over hard packed gravel, the route soon leaves the edge of the pond and heads into a grove thick with mesquite. This area is a seasonal wash, though it remains dry most of the year. Signs mark trail forks, and a final brief climb up a flight of wooden stairs leads to the gate and visitor log beside the village site.The village site contains replicas of several types of structures built in the style of Mogollan Indians native to the area about 1000 years ago. The structures vary in materials. Worth mentioning is also the view, where the small mesa gives hikers a chance to take in the panorama of the valley. From here, climb back down the stairs and take a turn to follow the different path than the one you walked in on. Both trails will lead back to the pond and trailhead.There are bathrooms but no potable water at the state park. Hikers should bring their own water and be prepared for very little shade along the hike.Dankworth Pond State Park is open from 6am to 8pm daily and has a $10 entrance fee per vehicle.