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Montezuma Castle National Monument

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It's not a castle and Montezuma was never here.

Nestled into a limestone recess high above the flood plain of Beaver Creek in the Verde Valley stands one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America. The five-story, 20-room cliff dwelling served as a "high-rise apartment building" for prehistoric Sinagua Indians over 600 years ago. Early settlers to the area assumed that the imposing structure was associated with the Aztec emperor Montezuma, but the castle was abandoned almost a century before Montezuma was born.

With heightened concern over vandalism of fragile southwestern prehistoric sites, Montezuma Castle became a major factor in the nation's historic preservation movement with its proclamation as a national monument. The Castle was described in the December 1906 establishment proclamation as "of the greatest ethnological and scientific interest." Acreage: 840.86, federal: 16.83, non-federal.


Contact Information

2800 Montezuma Castle Road
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
928-567-3322 - Visitor Information
928-567-5276 - Headquarters


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Getting There

By Plane
Nearest commercial airports are locted in Flagstaff (50 miles), Prescott (55 miles), and Phoenix (100 miles)

By Car
Montezuma Castle is located 3 miles off Interstate 17. Use Exit Number 289 and follow signs.

By Plane
Tours are available from Flagstaff and some surrounding communities.

Getting Around
The monument visitor center contains exhibits and information regarding your visit. The 1/3 mile Castle trail will take the visitor on a leisurely walk to view Montezuma Castle and other prehistoric dwellings.

Weather

Summers generally hot and dry, with mild winters.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
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  • Educational Programs
  • Bird Watching

Recommended Activities
There is a level, paved trail 1/3 of a mile in length. Wayside exhibits along the self-guiding trail describe the cultural and natural history of the site. A diorama/audio program depicts the interior view of the cliff dwellings. Rangers are available on the trail and programs are presented when staffing permits.


 
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