Montezuma Castle National Monument

Tucked into the recess of a limestone cliff 90 feet above Beaver Creek, the Montezuma Castle National Monument is an incredibly well-preserved cliff dwelling that was inhabited by the Sinagua people until approximately 600 years ago. Built into a limestone cliff wall, this Native American cliff dwelling is one of the most impressive of its kind near Phoenix. Visitors haven't been allowed to climb up to the five-story building since the 1950s, but you can get excellent views from the base of the cliff, where a short trail loops along the river and through a sycamore grove. A small museum can be found in the Visitor Center, and there is also a beautiful picnic area on the shore of the creek.

It's also incredibly easy to access. The site sits right off Interstate 17, about 1.5 hours north of central Phoenix. At the monument are a visitor center and a picnic area with large trees that provide plenty of shade.

You can combine a visit to Montezuma Castle National Monument with a stop at 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.

• Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5
• Website: https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm
• Admission: Adults (16 and over): $10; Children (under 16): Free
• Address: Montezuma Castle Rd, Camp Verde, AZ