Montezuma Castle National Monument

Approximately an hour and a half north of Phoenix, Montezuma Castle National Monument makes for a superb cultural day trip. Here, travelers will find a set of preserved cliff dwellings once inhabited by the Sinagua people hundreds of years ago. Visitors can explore the pueblo ruins and various archaeological sites, hike the trails at Montezuma Well and enjoy ranger talks.

The 90-foot tall cliff served as both a natural defense against enemy tribes and the annual flooding of Beaver Creek below. While you are there, don’t miss Montezuma’s Well. Although you can't go inside the dwellings, you can view them from almost immediately below, and since it's not far up the wall, you can get quite close. You can combine a visit to Montezuma Castle National Monument with a stop at the nearby Montezuma Well National Monument, a few minutes to the south of here. This site overlooks a small lake, which is actually a sinkhole fed by an underground spring. A pleasant walking trail loops through the monument. You can also combine a trip to Montezuma Castle National Monument with a stop in nearby Sedona.

Distance from Phoenix: 93.2 miles
Travel time: 1 hour 22 min

Location: Camp Verde, Arizona, United States

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5