| What is it? |
Montezuma Castle National Monument is a two-part park that protects a mysterious desert well and a magnificent, ancient cliff dwelling! |
| What makes it beautiful? |
Part 1, Montezuma Well, is a deep, blue-green oasis in the middle of the Arizona desert. No one knows what keeps it full and what keeps it from overflowing! Fish can’t live here, but there is a whole ecosystem of mysterious creatures that only live here in all the world. The apex predator in these carbon dioxide rich waters is a leech!
Part 2, Montezuma Castle, is magnificently built, towering high on a cliff face! It wasn’t really a castle, more of an apartment complex, and it had nothing to do with the Aztec king (it was named to attract tourists), but it housed a whole community of ancient Sinaguan folks living in harmony with their rocky home! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Pay the entrance fee and contribute toward trail and structural maintenance, sign design, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer at Montezuma Castle National Monument!
- Donate to Montezuma Castle National Monument!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
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| Where is this place? |
Montezuma Well:
- The entrance to Montezuma Well is on Beaver Creek Road, about 4 miles east of its exit on I-17, about 49 miles south of Flagstaff!
Montezuma Castle:
- 2 miles east of the intersection of Middle Verde Road and Montezuma Castle Road
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
From Flagstaff: ~54mi (87km) — 0.9hrs
From Phoenix: ~94mi (152km) — 1.6hrs
From Tucson: ~210mi (338km) — 3.5hrs
From Yuma: ~268mi (432km) — 4.5hrs |
| When should I go? |
Both Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well are open daily from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and I suggest you get there early or late in the day, depending on the season! |
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