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Montezuma Castle National Monument

Designation: National Monument

Location: Arizona

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.

🌤 Weather Information

Summer: Hot. Temperatures range from 95°F (35°C) to 115°F (46°C). Nighttime temperatures can be much cooler, around 70°F (21°C). From late June through early August, heavy rains called monsoons are common in the afternoons. Winter: Cool. Highs average around 55°F (13°C); lows may be in the teens (-10°C). Snow is rare, but possible. For detailed information, visit the National Weather Service: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.61151944900047&lon=-111.8389592099997#.Vi_FZX6rSUk

🚗 Directions

Montezuma Castle: Follow I-17 to exit 289 (90 minutes north of Phoenix, 45 minutes south of Flagstaff). Drive east (through two traffic circles) for approximately 1/2 mile to the blinking red light. Turn left onto Montezuma Castle Road. Montezuma Well: Follow I-17 to exit 293 (north of the exit for Montezuma Castle). Continue through the towns of McGuireville and Rimrock, following the signs for 4 miles to the entrance to the Well.

Images

A 5-story masonry dwelling sits in a cliff alcove.

Montezuma Castle was built in an alcove about 90 feet up a cliff. This protects the dwelling from flooding.

Credit: NPS Photo/Sharlot Hart

Sun shines on the window sill in a masonry wall; trees in fall color are seen outside the window.

Visitors to Montezuma Castle usually only get to see the dwelling from the outside. This view shows what the Sinagua might have seen.

Credit: NPS Photo

Two masonry walls with a dark doorway in a short cliff ledge.

The Sinagua used space efficiently - here a storage room sits in a short cliff space below the main Castle.

Credit: NPS Photo

Two cliff dwellings and a tree with yellow leaves above a pond.

Montezuma Well provided a stable source of water to the Sinagua.

Credit: NPS Photo/Greg Webb

a blue sinkhole surrounded by algae, reeds, and cattails in a desert landscape

From the overlook, visitors can view some of the dwellings alongside Montezuma Well.

Credit: NPS Photo / Lauren Reid

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Monday
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Tuesday
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Wednesday
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Thursday
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Friday
9:00AM - 4:45PM
Saturday
9:00AM - 4:45PM

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person
This entrance fee covers one adult, aged 16 and over, for entrance to Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments for 7 days.
$10.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
$35 annual pass, good for one (1) year. Will cover the entrance fee at both Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments. Available to everyone; good for card holder plus 3 adult guests. Can be obtained in person at Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, or online at Recreation.gov. Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
$35.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Thursday, Feb 5

Sunny

Sunny

High: 77.4°F | Low: 44.1°F

Humidity: 18%

Wind: 9.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.9

Sunrise: 07:22 AM

Sunset: 06:01 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (89%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 42.3°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Feb 6

Sunny

Sunny

High: 72.9°F | Low: 40.5°F

Humidity: 32%

Wind: 8.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.9

Sunrise: 07:21 AM

Sunset: 06:02 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (82%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 42.4°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Feb 7

Sunny

Sunny

High: 72°F | Low: 39.4°F

Humidity: 42%

Wind: 5.1 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.9

Sunrise: 07:21 AM

Sunset: 06:03 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (73%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 41.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Visiting During Monsoon Season (July-September) Caution
All park trails are closed for 30 minutes following any lightning strikes five miles or less from the park. This includes Montezuma Well and the trail to see Montezuma Castle. Please check the forecast ahead of your visit.

More Info

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Information
Igniting or using fires fueled by combustible materials, that create an open flame, is strictly prohibited. Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or developed site.

More Info

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Information
Igniting or using fires fueled by combustible materials, that create an open flame, is strictly prohibited. Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or developed site.

More Info

Swallet Trail Temporarily Closed at Montezuma Well Information
The Swallet Spur Trail at Montezuma Well is temporarily closed to protect bats. All other trails on site including the 0.3 mile loop trail along the Well remain open and accessible. The trail at Montezuma Castle remains open.
Water / Restrooms Temporarily Unavailable 8/11-8/13 Information
Due to necessary water system repairs, restrooms and water refill stations will be unavailable at the park 8/11-8/13. There will be a water station and portable toilets on site. Please plan accordingly.
Montezuma Castle Visitor Center Phones Are Down Information
At this time, staff are unable to receive phone calls or check phone messages left at the visitor center. Please email the park at moca_tuzi_info@nps.gov if you need to contact the park or call (928) 634-5564 for operational questions.
Visiting During Monsoon Season (July-September) Caution
All park trails are closed for 30 minutes following any lightning strikes five miles or less from the park. This includes Montezuma Well and the trail to see Montezuma Castle. Please check the forecast ahead of your visit.

More Info

Staff Unable to Check Phone Messages at the Visitor Center Information
At this time, staff are unable to check or receive phone messages left at the visitor center. All calls to the park are being routed to Tuzigoot National Monument. You can also reach the park at moca_tuzi_info@nps.gov if you need to contact the park.
Outlet Trail Temporarily Closed at Montezuma Well Information
The Trail leading down to the outlet will be closed throughout August, Monday - Thursdays for repairs. It will be open Fridays - Sundays. The rest of the site and trails remain open.
Temporary Closure at Montezuma Well Picnic Area
Trees have fallen at Montezuma Well as a result of last week's rains. The picnic area is temporarily closed until the ground dries. We hope to reopen early the week of September 16 and will post updates here and at facebook.com/montezumanps.
Montezuma Well Picnic Area Closed Information
The Montezuma Well picnic area will be closed December 16-17, due to hazardous tree removal. Montezuma Well trails remain open.
Restrooms Intermittently Closed at Montezuma Castle Information
Due to extensive plumbing repairs, the restrooms at Montezuma Castle will be closed intermittently for repairs at various times. When closed, portable toilets are available on site. Please plan accordingly.
Annual Winter Maintenance of Montezuma Well Irrigation Canal In Effect through Mid February Caution
Maintenance workers at Montezuma Well will be diverting the water to the ditch at the outlet area for the month of December through mid-February. Visitors will still be able to go down the outlet trail but barricades are stationed beyond the foot bridge.
HOLIDAY HOURS Information
Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well will be CLOSED Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. There is no access to the monuments during closures.

Park Events

Christmas Bird Count

Join us December 21st for the annual Christmas Bird Count! Check in at the visitor center at 9:30 AM, survey begins at 10:00 AM. Bring proper clothing, shoes, snacks, and binoculars (optional). Don’t miss out! Please RSVP to Montezuma Castle Visitor Center (928) 567-3322

Date: Dec 21, 2025 12:00am to Dec 21, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
2800 Montezuma Castle Road
Camp Verde, AZ 86322

🏤 Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 219
Camp Verde, AZ 86322

📞 Voice Phone: 9285673322

✉️ Email: moca_tuzi_info@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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