Montezuma Castle National Monument

Address:Camp Verde, Arizona
Tel: (928) 567-3322

Come see amazing cliff-side dwellings at the Montezuma Castle National Monument, a collection of five-story stone and mortar structures built into the side of a mountain. Located near Camp Verde, Arizona, the Montezuma Castle National Monument is home to tours of the fascinating ruins.

Around 1400, Sinagua Indians built and inhabited the site that would become the Montezuma Castle National Monument. In the 1850s, European Americans arrived and heard stories that the structures had been built by a divine hero named Montezuma (though it's likely his name was connected with the Aztec emperor Montezuma II). The site itself contains 20 rooms which were once home to around 50 people, situated in a natural overhang which protects from the rain. In 1906, the Montezuma Castle National Monument was officially designated as a national monument.

Today, the Montezuma Castle National Monument is home to ranger-guided tours of the site, as well as a fascinating museum. The ranger-guided tours cover such topics as the geology of the Verde Valley and the history and culture of the Sinagua people. The museum offers exhibits detailing the lifestyle and history of the culture that built the Montezuma Castle. Visitors to the site can find food at Camp Verde, approximately five miles from the site.

To get to the Montezuma Castle National Monument, take I-17 to exit 289, then drive east for about 1/2 mile and turn left onto Montezuma Castle Road.

Visit the Montezuma Castle National Monument and witness the beauty of an ancient dwelling.