Visitors to central Arizona should not miss Montezuma Castle in Camp Verde. Explore this ancient Native American dwelling carved into a limestone cliff.

The History

There are several well-preserved ancient dwellings in north-central Arizona, including the Wupatki, Tonto, Walnut Canyon, and Tuzigoot national monuments. One of the most spectacular is this imposing 20 room, five-story structure built into a gorge in a white limestone cliff about 70 feet above ground. As soon as the ruins were discovered the early explorers thought they belonged to the Aztecs, hence the name they were given, but they actually belong to the Sinagua Indian people, who farmed the surrounding land between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries before abandoning it.

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As other cultural groups in the southwestern United States did at that time, the Sinagua apparently abandoned their permanent settlements and migrated elsewhere. The reasons for abandonment are unclear, but they may have involved drought, dwindling resources, and conflicts with newly arrived Yavapai.

Ruins in this area remain in good condition, at least in part because of their protected location, which is shielded from weather and sunlight, as well as the designation of the site as a national monument fairly early on (in 1906).

The interior of Montezuma Castle is one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. Early visitors to the monument had to climb ladders up the sides of the limestone cliffs to gain access to the structure. However, the public was no longer allowed to view the ruins in 1951 due to extensive damage.

What to Do When You Visit

Wander the trails at the base of the limestone cliffs and explore the museum’s vast collection of artifacts. The Sinagua were capable artisans, as well as prolific traders, as evidenced by the artifacts in the museum, including stone tools, metates used to grind corn, bone needles, and shell and gemstone ornaments.

You can also enjoy a picnic along the scenic shores of Beaver Creek. Through a sycamore grove and ancient cliff dwellings, you’ll travel a paved, 1/3-mile loop trail. The Montezuma Castle hike is suitable for hikers of all skill levels, and it is also a great place for nature trips and bird-watching activities.

For an even deeper exploration, the park also offers formal ranger programs, which usually last 25 minutes and cover a wide range of topics.

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Montezuma Well

Then, head 11 miles north to the Montezuma Well, a sub unit of Montezuma Castle. Numerous prehistoric groups inhabited the area around Montezuma Well as early as 11,000 BCE. After Arizona became a territory in 1863, the first historical groups came to the Verde Valley. Spanish settlers may have traveled through the area earlier, in the 1500s, but did not settle.

Montezuma Well still has its irrigation canal, picnic areas, and historic Back ranch house. Explore the trails at Montezuma Well and experience the tranquility of a site still considered sacred by many local tribes. Near the ruin and outlet, the shaded forest of the trail offers a welcome respite from Arizona’s relentless sun. It is easy to imagine how the Sinagua people would spend the hot summer days by the outlet, which is much cooler than along the Well’s rim.

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