Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle

Looking up at Montezuma Castle

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.

Storage Room at Montezuma Castle

The Sinagua used space efficiently - here a storage room sits in a short cliff space below the main Castle.

Window in Montezuma Castle

Visitors to Montezuma Castle usually only get to see the dwelling from the outside. This view shows what the Sinagua might have seen.

Montezuma Castle in the Cliff

Montezuma Castle was built in an alcove about 90 feet up a cliff. This protects the dwelling from flooding.

Montezuma Well

Montezuma Well provided a stable source of water to the Sinagua.

RecAreaDirections

Montezuma Castle: Follow I-17 to exit 289 (90 minutes north of Phoenix, 45 minutes south of Flagstaff). Drive east (through two traffic circles) for approximately 1/2 mile to the blinking red light. Turn left onto Montezuma Castle Road.

Montezuma Well: Follow I-17 to exit 293 (north of the exit for Montezuma Castle). Continue through the towns of McGuireville and Rimrock, following the signs for 4 miles to the entrance to the Well.

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Facilities

Montezuma Castle Visitor Center Facility

This visitor center provides the entrance fee station, as well as bathrooms, a small museum, and the Western National Parks Association bookstore. Stop in first to get all the information you need!

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