A Visit to Montezuma Castle National Monument Near Camp Verde and Sedona, Arizona
Montezuma Castle National Monument ~ Camp Verde, Arizona – Just a few short miles north of Camp Verde, and on the way to Sedona from Phoenix, lies Montezuma Castle National Monument.
This cliff dwelling is named Montezuma Castle because early settlers to the area assumed that the imposing structure was connected to the Aztec emperor Montezuma, but in reality the cliff dwelling had been abandoned almost a century before Montezuma was even born.
On December 8, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt celebrated the passage of the Antiquities Act by declaring four sites of historic and cultural significance as our nation’s first National Monuments. Among these was Montezuma Castle, which the President identified as a place “of the greatest ethnological value and scientific interest.” Although very few original artifacts remained in the structure due to intensive looting of the site, Roosevelt’s decision assured the continued protection of one of the best preserved prehistoric cliff dwellings in North America.
Montezuma Castle National Monument quickly became a destination for America’s first car-bound tourists. In 1933, “Castle A”, a 45-50 room, pueblo ruin was excavated, uncovering a wealth of artifacts and greatly enhanced our understanding of the Sinagua people who inhabited this riparian “oasis” along Beaver Creek for over 400 years.
Early visitors to the monument were allowed access to the structure by climbing a series of ladders up the side of the limestone cliffs. However, due to extensive damage to this valuable cultural landmark, public access of the ruins was discontinued in 1951.
Now, approximately 350,000 people a year gaze through the the windows of the past during a visit to Montezuma Castle. Even 600 years after their departure, the legacy of the Sinagua people continues to inspire the imaginations of this and future generations.
Montezuma Castle National Monument is a short jaunt off Highway I-17, and is well worth a visit.
Entrance to Montezuma Castle National Park is ushered through a beautiful visitor center with paved sidewalks taking you on a very short hike to the cliff dwellings.
If you like, the park offers Ranger-led talks through the cliff dwellings late-mornings and early afternoons.
Another very nice feature of this park, and certainly a benefit to the lost tribe of Sinagua Indians, is the very close proximity to the beautiful Verde River that bends around the mountain.
It only takes about an hour to visit this park, and if you plan ahead, the park is also a beautiful place for a picnic.
We highly recommend a visit to Montezuma Castle National Park.
I just learned of your website in today’s AZ Republic. What a great idea! My husband and I have been infected by the travel bug–it’s a chronic condition now–and would love to hear of experiences other Boomers have had. Has anyone had any experience with tanzaniaodyssey.com?
Lmbieber,
We haven’t been to Tanzania yet. It’s on our bucket list though. Perhaps one of our present or future readers will respond to this question for you.
Visit in that area the M Diamond Ranch http://www.mdiamondranch.com
Pingback: Visiting This Historical Castle in New Mexico Will Take You Back in Time