Long considered among the most completely preserved cliff dwellings in the United States, Montezuma Castle National Monument (Camp Verde, Arizona) is visited each year by thousands. These 600-year-old dwellings, set well above the desert floor in the limestone of Arizona's desert, are part of the impressive catalogue of sites under the auspices of the National Park Service.
Featuring 20 rooms constructed in five stories, the cliff dwellings look down on the Verde Valley. Centuries ago, the Sinagua residents of this area built the homes well above the possible floodwaters that occasionally filled Beaver Creek. Some of the first visitors to the area thought the structures might be part of the legacy left behind by the Aztecs, because the appearance was similarly impressive. But researchers have since found that the Montezuma Castle site was left unoccupied long before it could have been built by the Aztec leader whose name it bears.
Part of the Montezuma Castle National Monument, the Anasazi ruin is viewed from below because of its inaccessibility high on the cliff. But as with many park service sites, a trail and signs help explain the significance of such a structure. Admission to the impressive site is $3 for those 16 and over. The site is open 365 days per year. The Visitor Center is open during daylight hours, featuring a small museum and bookstore. Tip: No food or supplies available at the monument site.
Visitors to the site are encouraged to consider the desert temperatures and bring plenty of water to drink. However, the night and winter temperatures can be quite cool, so travellers are urged to prepare accordingly. 928-567-3322.
