Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle National Monument protects a set of well-preserved dwellings located in Camp Verde, Arizona, which were built and used by the Sinagua people, a pre-Columbian culture closely related to the Hohokam and other indigenous peoples of the southwestern United States, between approximately 1100 and 1425 AD. The main structure comprises five stories and about 20 rooms and was built over the course of three centuries.Neither part of the monument's name is correct. When European-Americans first observed the ruins in the 1860s, by then long-abandoned, they named them for the famous Aztec emperor Montezuma in the mistaken belief that he had been connected to their construction (see also Montezuma mythology). Having no connections to the Aztecs, the Montezuma Castle was given that name due to the fact that the public had this image of the Aztecs creating any archaeological site. In fact, the dwelling was abandoned more than 40 years before Montezuma was born, and was not a "castle" in the traditional sense, but instead functioned more like a "prehistoric high rise apartment complex".Several Hopi clans and Yavapai communities trace their ancestries to early immigrants from the Montezuma Castle/Beaver Creek area. Archaeological evidence proves that the Hohokam and Hakataya settled around or in the Verde Valley. Clan members periodically return to these ancestral homes for religious ceremonies.
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Images Gallery
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A close-up view of the Castle
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Montezuma's Castle near Camp Verde, Arizona, c. 1893–1900
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Historic view of Montezuma Castle, 1887
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Comments
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Small but spectacular park. The ruins here will stretch the limits of your imagination. Photos can't do them justice. To see the spectacular ruins placed so high up in the cliff hollow and then to imagine what it took to construct that with no modern tools is mind boggling. Add to that, daily life that included scaling that cliff face for water, food, trade....what a tenacious people! Local Yavapai-Apache tribes share their traditional skills on occasion. Don't miss the detached unit, Montezuma's Well, just a few miles away. It is also very interesting. Camp Verde has good lodging choices and good eateries.
a week ago -
Super cool pitstop to see this home carved into the side of a mountain built over a thousand years ago 👀 Amazing how people survived here way back when. The museum does a great job of detailing the history - ancient and modern - of this special place
a week ago -
Wow, such an experience! A castle in the side of a mountain! The history is very cool. The technology then was nothing like now, so seeing this in person was really a cool sight to see! Really makes you wonder how hard people worked then as compared to now! Highly recommend the stop here! It’s quite incredible!
2 months ago -
So beautiful and historical!!! A must See it is $10.00 cover charge. You would believe what the Pueblo Indians created!
2 weeks ago -
I am a total geek when it comes to Our National Parks! I have been visiting the parks for many years and try to make a stop whenever I am close to one. This Park didn't disappoint! Absolutely beautiful views and amazing sites! I am always amazed by how the people that lived so long ago were able to build amazing structures, small villages and farm the land where they lived. This park is a short hike but you will see amazing sites and get some beautiful pictures! I highly recommend this park!
4 months ago -
So important to visit our National treasures from monuments to parks. The castle doesn't disappoint. With numerous informational points to self guide you at your pace through a paved, easy walk for all levels. Know the past or it'll be your future.
a month ago -
This is a very cool piece of native american history! The park rangers as I call them, do a very good job of explaining the history of the castle. And they also answer any and all questions, to the best of their knowledge, which they are very knowledgeable about the tribe and different clans that built it and lived there. Now the real question is, is it worth the price? For a family of 4 it cost 40 dollars, if you do not have a national park pass. I would say that if you have a season pass for the national parks already, then yes it is worth it. If you do not have a pass, and are not interested in this type of history, then no it is not worth the money. Since me and my family are interested in this stuff, to us it was worth every penny.
2 months ago -
If you're into history or looking for a place to sightsee in AZ with your family and don't want to break the bank, stop here. A self guided tour along the trail took us about 20 minutes (there are signs along the way with facts and details about the site and the people who lived there.) Afterwards, you can check out souvenirs in the gift shop. Highly recommend.
a month ago