The National Monument occupies 840 acres of land at an elevation of 4000'. The Sinagua (Spanish for without water) Indians lived in this area. The construction of Montezuma Castle began around 900 years ago and was abandoned about 600 years ago. Nestled into a limestone recess high above the flood plain of Beaver Creek in the Verde Valley, stands one of the best preserved and most easily accessible cliff ruins in North America. This 5-story, 20-room cliff dwelling served as a "high-rise apartment building". The National Monument offers very limited facilities. An easy 1/3 mile trail takes you through a glade of white-barked Arizona sycamores to the base of Montezuma Castle and the Verde River. Camp Verde is the largest city in the area and offers full resources and facilities.

Outdoor activities include hiking and sightseeing. For more information, contact Montezuma Castle National Monument, PO Box 219 Camp Verde, AZ 86322 or call 928-567-3322.

All pictures on this page are from the Montezuma Castle National Monument.

Montezuma Castle from the 1/3 mile loop trail.
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Castle A at Montezuma Castle.
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Verde River at Montezuma Castle.
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Montezuma Castle.
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Montezuma Castle.
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Montezuma Castle.
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Montezuma Castle.
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Return to the Coconino National Forest Home page here.

Further information can be found at the Montezuma Castle National Monument National Park Service page
or Montezuma Castle National Monument Desert USA page.