Creek is a lovely stream that is worth checking out.
Montezuma Castle National Monument is pretty dried up regularly; through August this area sees the most rain while June is usually the driest month. Now, you may think that's plenty but there's even more fun stuff to do here
at Montezuma Castle National Monument. On a magnificent day at Montezuma Castle National Monument you can take a hike along the Ox Bow Trail Number One Hundred Sixty Three, and Northern Arizona Pet Suites is a great place to get some rest. If you don’t have a problem getting dripping
wet, you can always go whitewater paddling on Verde River.
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. CONTACTS Email - MOCA_Administration@nps.gov
Fax- 928-567-3597 Write to
2800 Montezuma Castle Road
Camp Verde, AZ 86322 - or -
P.O. Box 219
Camp Verde, AZ 86322 Phone
Visitor Information - 928-567-3322
Headquarters - 928-567-5276
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating
Hours, Seasons
Open every day of the year, including Christmas day. Winter hours: 8 AM to 5 PM; Summer hours: 8 AM to 7 PM. Getting There
PLANE - Nearest commercial airports are locted in Flagstaff (50 miles), Prescott (55 miles), and Phoenix (100 miles)
CAR - Montezuma Castle is located 3 miles off Interstate 17. Use Exit Number 289 and follow signs. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Tours are available from Flagstaff and some surrounding communities. Weather & Climate
Summers generally hot and dry, with mild winters.
Accessibility
The visitor center and most of the paved trail are accessible to wheelchairs. A portion of the Castle trail is too steep for wheelchairs and is marked with a sign. The picnic area is not accessible to wheelchairs. Please contact a ranger for more
information. Audio cassettes and braille text are avaialble for the visually impaired. 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. FEES/PERMITS
Entrance Fee
ENTRANCE FEE PER PERSON
$3.00 for 7 Days
INDIVIDUAL
$3.00 for 7 Days
FACILITIES
Visitor Centers
MONTEZUMA CASTLE
VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Phone - 928-567-3322
Location - Visitor Center located 1 mile from entrance gate.
Exhibits - Exhibits depicting the life style of the Sinaguan Indians
Available Facilities - Southwest Parks and Monuments Association Book Store, restrooms, and picnic area
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