Montezuma Castle National Monument

Many visitors tour Montezuma Castle in Camp Verde on a day trip from Phoenix, Sedona, or Flagstaff. In addition to the ruins themselves, tourists should set aside a few hours to explore the museum, walk the scenic trails, and have lunch along the shore of Beaver Creek. Visitors can focus on the castle and nearby Montezuma Well, or opt for a guided tour to five Arizona national monuments in a single day, including Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well, Tuzigoot, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater National Monuments.

• Visit the castle on its own or bundled with other national monuments.

• Dogs are welcome on park trails but must remain on leash.

• The park visitor center and much of the paved trail at the castle are wheelchair accessible.

• Montezuma Castle is at a high elevation in a dry climate—bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

Montezuma Castle National Monument is located in Northern Arizona off I-17, exit 289 (about 90 minutes north of Phoenix and 45 minutes south of Flagstaff).

The national monument is open daily throughout the year, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day. During the hot summer months, plan your visit in the early morning or early evening.

Just a few miles from the cliff dwelling sits another archaeological site worth visiting, Montezuma Well. This limestone sinkhole is believed to be the remains of the Sinagua’s irrigation system. A half-mile paved trail winds through the site, and it’s an excellent spot to observe local wildlife such as whitetail deer, muskrats, rock squirrels, and some 100 species of birds.

The Montezuma Castle National Monument in Camp Verde, Arizona, is a well-preserved ruin of the Sinagua Indians that served as multifamily dwellings. The ruins are neat to see as they are built into the side of a cliff, and the monument has a visitor center and a picnic area.

Montezuma is the name of an Aztec ruler, and the Europeans who settled in the area thought the ruins were from the Aztecs (they were wrong). Castle came from the idea that the ruins were built into a cliff overlooking the area—like a castle.

It costs US$10 for adults to visit Arizona’s Montezuma Castle National Monument; children 15 and younger are free. The entrance fee for adults gives you access to the Tuzigoot National Monument and allows you to visit both attractions for up to seven days.

You should carve out at least an hour at the Montezuma Castle National Monument—plan for longer if you don’t want to feel rushed. You can spend a good amount of time at the visitor center. The walk to the monument is easy and takes about 10 minutes.

Yes, there are ranger-led programs at Montezuma Castle National Monument. Most of the available private tours combine a visit to the castle with other nearby areas in Arizona, such as Jerome and Sedona. It's often possible to book tours that visit nearby Tuzigoot National Monument, too.

Like most anywhere else you would visit in Arizona, you should bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water when you visit Montezuma Castle National Monument. The monument is at a high elevation in a dry climate area, so it’s hot (especially in summer), and staying hydrated is a must.