Family Adventure Guide to Montezuma Castle National Monument

Updated: Oct 2, 2023

Ready to take a glimpse into early Native American history in Arizona? Montezuma Castle National Monument doesn't disappoint!

After setting off on our road trip through the American Southwest, we drove about an hour and a half from Phoenix, Arizona to our first stop at the Montezuma Castle National Monument.

What is Montezuma Castle National Monument?

Ironically, this area has nothing to do with the Aztec's (i.e., "Montezuma"), but 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 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. The park brochure combines all three national monuments:

Why Stop Here?

Montezuma Castle is a lovely 1-2 hour stop that is easily accessed off I-17. It introduced the girls to early Native American history in the southwest (something we built upon along our road trip) -- and it was also a great precursor to the extensive cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde.

Our Family Adventures at Montezuma Castle NM

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.

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. Junior Ranger Tip: you can download the Junior Ranger book here and work on some of the pages before you arrive!

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 (tip: a National Park Pass pays for itself ten times over -- and it is FREE for 4th graders!!)

Hours: 8 am - 5 pm

Cell Service: limited

Disclaimer: Always make sure to check out the latest park information from the National Park Service before you arrive.

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 on our visit ... spoiler ... they are amazing too!!

The Family Verdict

We thought Montezuma Castle NM was a pretty amazing short stop on our road trip adventure. If you are in the area, make sure to stop by and admire this national treasure.