| Montezuma Castle National Monument ((in)Montezuma Castle National Monument) | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| Region | Arizona |
| IUCN Category | V (Protected land or seascape) |
| Administration | National Park Service |
| Watercourse | Beaver Creek |
| Area | 3,48 km² |
| Location | |
 34 ° 38 ′ 28 ″ N 111 ° 47 ′ 40 ″ W | |
| Official site | |
the Montezuma Castle National Monument is a cave dwelling located in Arizona to United States.
Understand
The cave dwelling of Montezuma Castle was left almost 600 years ago by the Sinagua tribe. In the 1800s, the Americans' passion for the Inca, Mayan and Aztec civilizations led them to name this place Montezuma Castle, without any link with the historical reality of the place. From that moment on, more and more visits to the site were made, with ladders built into the cliff to allow access. On December 8, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt allowed the protection of this place by including it on the list of the first four national monuments. Since 1951, it is no longer possible to access the homes directly, but to admire them from a path at the foot of the cliff.
To go
Montezuma Castle National Monument is located 85 km South of Flagstaff and 150 km in the north of Phoenix. It is only accessible by car. To get there, take I-17, exit 289. To explore Montezuma Well, take I-17, exit 293, to 6 km north of Montezuma Castle.
Circulate
Entrance fee
As for any place under the American National Parks system, an entrance fee is charged for access to the Park. He wakes up at 10 $ by vehicle and gives access for 7 consecutive days to the Park as well as to the Tuzigoot national monument. An annual pass is available for an amount of 30 $ and the annual inter-agency pass (Interagency Annual Pass) is accepted, and sold at a price of 80 $, within the Park. It provides access to all sites under the American National Parks system, for a period of one year (in addition to the current month).
By car
The troglodyte habitat and the natural area being a few kilometers apart, the car is necessary to go from one site to another. Once on site, it is mandatory to park and finish the walking tour.
Walk
From the parking lot at Montezuma Castle National Monument, a short path leads to the viewpoint of cave habitat. The natural site of Montezuma Well can also be explored on foot.
To see
- 1 Information center ,
1 928 567-3322 
Mon.- Sun. : 8 h - 17 h. – The information center of the Park provides information and advice on the visit from the rangers. A museographic space provides an overview of the life of the tribes who have stayed in the troglodyte habitat. - 2 Cave dwelling – After a very short walk on the path at the foot of the mountain, you can discover the troglodyte habitat in a very good state of preservation. It is impossible, and forbidden, to go up in the ruins but different points of view are arranged in order to have a complete panorama of the place.
View of the troglodyte habitat from the path
Mon.- Sun. : 
Do
- Visit with a park guide – The rangers present within the Park organize free guided tours every day with varied themes and concern the history, geology, flora and fauna of the Park. The program of these visits is available daily at the information center or directly from the guides.
- Troglodyte habitat discovery trail – The loop trail with a length of 1 km starting from the information center allows, in addition to the view of the troglodyte habitat, to obtain information on the life of the tribes who lived in this place as well as on the fauna and flora present within the Park, at the 'using explanatory panels.
- 1 Montezuma Well Trail – This loop trail with a length of 800 m along a shaded site of great tranquility where a constant flow of water flows throughout the year. Shortly before this path, it is possible to see the ruins of cave dwellings along the access road to the car park.
To buy
- 1 Souvenir shop – The information center offers postcards and souvenirs from the Park, as well as a bookstore space to learn more about the tribes that have inhabited the place as well as its biology and geology.
Eat
The Park does not have a restaurant area, but picnic areas are provided.
- 1 Montezuma Castle Picnic Area
- 2 Montezuma Well Picnic Area
Have a drink / Go out
There is no sale of drinks within the grounds of the Park, however water fountains are available at the information center to hydrate.
Housing
The Park being small, no accommodation offer is available in its enclosure. The towns of Camp Verde and Rimrock, in which the Park is located, has a varied hotel offer.
