Montezuma Castle National Monument

Address	2800 Montezuma Castle Hwy, Camp Verde
Phone	520-567-3322
Website	www.nps.gov/moca

Ancient Cliff dwellings ought to be points of pilgrimage for any visitor to the southwest, and those within this National Monument are no exception. Forget the misnomer of the title – the 800 year old dwellings were influenced by Toltec traders rather than Aztecs, and they were built by the Sinagua Indians, ancestors of the Hopi.

The structure, fitting snugly in an elevated cliff, is astonishingly large – five stories with twenty rooms – and though you won’t be allowed to climb up to it, its size and grace will significantly inform your understanding of Native American history. The displays in the visitor center will only enlarge this education.

Montezuma Castle National Monument is about half an hour by car south of Sedona, via Routes 179 and 17, but the drive is as always very scenic. You’ll be well rewarded by this excursion outside of town.