The southwest is a vast and stunning region that combines so many different dramatic landscapes and iconic land formations. But, with so many well-known locations like the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, it is easy to overlook the smaller, yet still powerful sites. Montezuma Castle is one of these often overlooked locations. Situated in an area that is rich in Native American history, this national monument was the perfect location to begin our family adventure road trip through the American Southwest. Join our adventure travel family as we bring you our ultimate Montezuma Castle visitor guide!
Montezuma Castle Visitor Guide Tip #1:
What is Montezuma Castle NM?
Ironically, this area has nothing to do with the Aztec’s (i.e., “Montezuma”). Instead this area gained its name from assumptions made by early settlers. Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. The National Monument protects a set of well-preserved dwellings located in Camp Verde, Arizona, which were built and used by the Sinagua people between approximately AD 1100 and 1425.
The main structure comprises five stories and about 20 rooms and was built over the course of three centuries. The trail signs and a wonderful diorama help to depict the grandeur and sophistication of the dwellings.
Montezuma Castle Visitor Guide Tip #2:
Getting to Montezuma Castle NM
Montezuma Castle is a 1-2 hour stop that is easily accessed off I-17. Our drive from Phoenix was drove about 1.5 hours during late May.
A visit to Montezuma Castle NM can be combined with nearby Montezuma Well NM and Tuzigoot NM. We were limited on time and the girls had limited attention span, so we opted to only visit Montezuma Castle.
Montezuma Castle Visitor Guide Tip #3:
Visitor Center & Junior Ranger Program
There is a small visitor’s center located near the parking area (maybe a 1-2 minute walk). We toured the small exhibit room while the girls worked on some of their Junior Ranger books. The books prompted them to think about life long ago and what it would have been like to live here.
Junior Ranger Tip: you can download the Junior Ranger book and work on some of the pages before you arrive!
Montezuma Castle Visitor Guide Tip #4:
Viewing the Dwellings
From the visitor’s center, you can take a short 1/3 mile walk along a paved and well shaded trail to view the dwellings and read the informational signs. There are benches and shaded areas to rest and enjoy the views.
Make sure to bring a water bottle and a small pair of binoculars to see the details of the cliff dwellings. My girls each use these binoculars. Spider Monkey burns pretty easily, so we also make sure she has a hat on when we are outside in the Arizona sun.
The girls soaked in the importance of the area while completing their Junior Ranger badge activities.
Montezuma Castle Visitor Guide Tip #5:
National Monument Visitor Information
| Address: | 2800 Montezuma Castle Road, Camp Verde, AZ 86322 |
| Entrance Cost: | $10 per person or covered by a America the Beautiful National Park Pass |
| Hours: | 8 am - 5 pm |
| Cell Service: | limited |
→ → tip: a National Park Pass pays for itself ten times over — and it is FREE for 4th graders!!
Disclaimer: Always make sure to check out the latest park information from the National Park Service website before you arrive.
Montezuma Castle Visitor Guide Tip #6:
You Must Try the Fry Bread!
There were not a lot of food options available nearby when we visited, but there was a little roadside stand selling Indian fry bread. I had heard it was definitely something we needed to try, so I was on the lookout for it. OMG it did not disappoint!! Similar to a funnel cake, but so much better.
We tried the salt, powdered sugar, honey, and cinnamon/sugar varieties. All 4 were amazing, but my favorite was the salt (the girls loved the powdered sugar). They sell Navajo tacos there on the weekend. We visited mid-week, but made sure to try out Navajo tacos later during our roadtrip adventures … spoiler … they are amazing too!!
The Family Verdict
We thought Montezuma Castle NM was a pretty amazing short stop on our road trip family adventures. If you are in the nearby area, make sure to stop by and admire this national treasure. It introduced the girls to early Native American history in the southwest (something we built upon along our family adventure in the southwest). It was also a great precursor to the extensive cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde we visited later on our journey.
If you loved our Montezuma Castle adventures, check out our family adventures in nearby Slide Rock, Sedona, Meteor Crater Natural Landmark and Petrified Forest National Park. Also, follow along on our road trip through the American Southwest!
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
Recommended Supplies
Don’t miss out on these recommended supplies for your family adventure!
For Packing:
For the Airport / Airplane:
Basics:
Outdoors:
- Pocket Binoculars
- Travel Umbrella
- Adult Hiking Hydration Backpack
- Kid’s Hiking Hydration Backpack
- Water Bladder Cleaning Tablets
- Microfiber Towels
- Women’s All Around Jacket
- Women’s Water-Resistant Hiking Pants, These and These
- Women’s Quick Dry Pants and These
- Women’s Quick Dry Shirts
- Women’s Long Sleeve UV Rash Guard
- Women’s Hiking Socks
- Women’s Rain Jacket
- Kid’s Quick Dry Pants
- Kid’s Quick Dry Shorts
- Kid’s Quick Dry Shirts
- Kid’s Long Sleeve UV Rash Guard
- Kid’s Hiking Socks and These
- Kids Rain Jacket
- Kid’s Rain Pants
- Foldable Kid’s Hat
- Men’s Rain Jacket
