Tonto National Monument Custom Search Well-preserved cliff dwellings were occupied by the Salado culture during the 13th, 14th, and early 15th centuries. The people farmed in the Salt River Valley and supplemented their diet by hunting and gathering native wildlife and plants. The Salado were fine craftsmen, producing some of the most exquisite polychrome pottery and intricately woven textiles to be found in the Southwest. Many of these objects are on display in the Visitor Center museum. The monument is located in the Upper Sonoran ecosystem, known primarily for its characteristic saguaro cactus. Other common plants include: cholla, prickly pear, hedgehog, and barrel cactus (blooming April through June); yucca, sotol, and agave; creosote bush and ocotillo; palo verde and mesquite trees; an amazing variety of colorful wild flowers (February through March); and a lush riparian area which supports large Arizona black walnut, sycamore, and hackberry trees.     CONTACTS Email - TONT_Superintendent@nps.gov Fax- 928-467-2225 Write to HC02 Box 4602 Roosevelt, AZ 85545 Phone Visitor Information - (928) 467-2241 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Daily, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. except Christmas day. Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail closes to uphill travel at 4:00 p.m. Getting There CAR - Driving time from Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Tucson: 2.5 to 3 hours; from Flagstaff: 3 to 3.5 hours. From Phoenix, take State Highway 60 (Superstition Freeway) east to Globe/Miami (75 miles); turn left (northwest) on State Highway 88/188; drive 30 miles to Tonto National Monument entrance. From Scottsdale, take State Highway 87 (Beeline Highway) north to State Highway 188 (80 miles); turn right (southeast) on 188 and drive 35 miles to State Highway 88/188 (at Roosevelt Dam); then drive four miles east on 88/188 to Tonto National Monument. From Tucson, take State Highway 77 north to Globe (100 miles); at intersection of 77 and State Highway 60, follow 60 through Globe to State Highway 88/188; turn right (northwest) on 88/188 and drive 30 miles to Tonto National Monument. From Flagstaff, take Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) to State Highway 87 (55 miles); turn right (south) on 87 and drive 72 miles to State Highway 188 (17 miles south of Payson); turn left on 188 (southeast) and drive 35 miles to State Highway 88/188 (at Roosevelt Dam); then drive four miles east on 88/188 to Tonto National Monument. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Commercial tours may be available; check Yellow Pages in Arizona phone books under 'TOURS.' Weather & Climate Mild winters: lows in the 30s, highs in the 60s; hot summers, lows in the 70s, highs in the 110s. Rainy seasons January/ February and July through September. Average annual precipitation: 15 inches. Average days of sunshine: over 300. Average humidity during dry seasons: 5-15%. Average humidity during rainy seasons: 30-50% (except when actually raining!) The sun can be intense in summer months. Water, hats, and sunscreen are recommended. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommended for the Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail. Sneakers or other good walking shoes are recommended for the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail. Getting Around Lower level visitor center (museum exhibits, sales area, ranger assistance, rest rooms, orientation program on video by request). Picnic area located .5 mile below visitor center (.5 mile inside park entrance); seven tables, covered with shade ramadas; one handicapped accessible. FACILITIES Visitor Centers TONTO VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 8:00 AM - 5:00PM Closures - Christmas Day Special Programs - 'Open House' annually on one weekend in March (Arizona Archeology Awareness Month) and first weekend in November. Exhibits - .Visitor center with exhibits and 18-minute video orientation program; hands-on display; restrooms. Parking lot has limited turning radius; vehicles longer than 30 feet and towing another vehicle experience difficulty negotiating the turn. Large vehicle parking is available .5 mile below visitor center at picnic area. Available Facilities - .Sales outlet for interpretive literature; vending machines for snacks and soft drinks. Picnic area located .5 mile below visitor center (.5 mile inside park entrance); seven tables, covered with shade ramadas; one is handicapped accessible. Two fully accessible restrooms.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Tonto National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Tonto National Monument: Roosevelt Lakeview Park, Roosevelt, 4 miles away Roosevelt Partners, Roosevelt, 4 miles away Spring Creek Recreational Vehicle Resort, Roosevelt, 5 miles away Rose Creek Campground, Gila County, 12 miles away Burnt Corral Campground, Maricopa County, 14 miles away Devils Canyon Campground, Pinal County, 17 miles away Apache Lake Campground, Maricopa County, 18 miles away   Marinas Near Tonto National Monument: Apache Lake Marina & Resort, Roosevelt , 10 miles away   Hotels Near Tonto National Monument: Americas Best Value Inn, Miami , 17 miles away Travelodge Globe AZ, Globe , 17 miles away Knights Inn Globe, Globe , 20 miles away Quality Inn Globe, Globe , 21 miles away Days Inn Globe, Globe , 21 miles away Gold Canyon Golf Resort, Gold Canyon , 34 miles away Best Western Gold Canyon Inn & Suites, Gold Canyon , 35 miles away   Trails Near Tonto National Monument: Coon Spring Trail, Gila County , 11 miles away, 4.7 hiking miles, 2692 feet elevation difference Boyer Trail One Hundred Fortyeight, Gila County , 13 miles away,  2 hiking miles, 425 feet elevation difference Rim-Moody Point Trail, Gila County , 14 miles away, 8.5 hiking miles, 4992 feet elevation difference Apache Trail, Maricopa County , 14 miles away,  6.8 hiking miles, 750 feet elevation difference Reevis Trail, Pinal County , 16 miles away,  13.6 hiking miles, 3361 feet elevation difference J F Ranch Trail, Pinal County , 19 miles away,  15.8 hiking miles, 1409 feet elevation difference   Ski Areas Near Tonto National Monument: Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, Arizona , 69 miles away, 950 foot drop, 3 lifts, 18 runs   Whitewater Near Tonto National Monument: Salt River, Gila County , 23 miles away, Class III-IV - 19 miles long (Gleason Flats to Horseshoe Bend) Gila River, Pinal County , 30 miles away, Class -blank- - 15 miles long (Kelvin to Ashurst-Hayden Dam)   Public Lands Near Tonto National Monument: Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Coolidge - AZ , 52 miles away Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Arizona , 20 miles away Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona , 34 miles away Tonto National Forest, Arizona , 38 miles away   Golf Courses Near Tonto National Monument: Cobre Valley Country Club, Miami , 13 miles away   Lakes Near Tonto National Monument Theodore Roosevelt Lake, Gila County , 11 miles away