Montezuma Castle: A 900+ Year Old Ancient Apartment Building
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The great thing about visiting Arizona is that there are so many odd attractions which you can’t see anywhere else. Since moving to the Flagstaff region, I have spent nearly every weekend exploring some of these incredible places. I find cliff dwellings so interesting because I can’t imagine anyone living this way. It’s so incredible to see how some ancient cultures live and how far we have come today. Any history buff will have a field day exploring all these preserved places throughout the state.
Montezuma Castle National Monument is a 5 story, 20 room living space built by the Sinagua people between 1100-1300. Today, it is considered one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the country. In 1906, President Roosevelt declared it a place “of the greatest ethnological value and scientific interest,” making it one of the first four national monuments. The dwellings are built 100 feet above the ground in a natural alcove, this being one of the reasons for their preservation.
I recommend reading more about the history of this incredible monument before your visit.
Ancient Sinagua culture
The ancient Sinagua people occupied both the forested and desert lands of central and Northern Arizona, including the western Mogollon Rim, the Verde Valley, and the San Francisco Mountain Volcanic Field, between the 7th-15th Century.
When early settlers discovered the ruins in the 1860’s, they named it Montezuma, believing it was Aztec in origin. However, the castle was abandoned over 40 years before the Aztec emperor was even born (The Sinagua left sometime around 1425). Almost no original artifacts remain due to looting over the years.
One other interesting Sinagua site I visited recently is Walnut Canyon. This is a quick daytrip from Flagstaff where you can explore over 20 different dwellings via the scenic Island Trail.
Viewing the ruins
An easy 1/3 mile paved path takes you around the ruins. Along the way, you can read some interesting historical facts about the dwellings and the Sinagua people. The path is shady with pretty Sycamore trees lining the path.
Back in the day, tourists could tour the inside of the dwelling, however, self tours have been off limits since 1951 to prevent further damage. While this would have been cool, I still enjoyed viewing the ruins from afar. I have to say that it still does look like it is incredible shape.
Today, the ruins resemble an ancient apartment building. It’s hard to imagine these ancient tribes using ladders to haul all their materials, food, and water up. It’s also unbelievable that they built this dwelling on the limestone cliff with no modern technology, just ladders and their own hands. Really, it’s hard to imagine people in the past living in such conditions, which is what makes it all the more interesting in today’s society. After visiting, I felt way more privileged with all the modern amenities we have easily available today.
Next to the castle you will find the remains of another dwelling, called Castle A. In the 1400’s, a fire destroyed this 5 level, 45 room dwelling. Take a look below at my pic. It’s a bit hard to see the dwellings in detail through photos, so of course, I recommend a visit if you are interested in exploring further.
Beaver Creek, which flows just below the ruins, was a source of year-round water. In a harsh climate, this made it a great place to inhabit.
In the Visitor’s Center, you can learn more about the Sinagua people and the ruins. A small assortment of souvenirs are available for purchase.
A roadside attraction worth the detour
Overall, this is just one of many interesting Arizona attractions for the bucket list. It’s one on a long list of odd places I recommend exploring especially if you are a history buff. It shouldn’t take you more than an hour or so to walk the short path and read all the interesting facts about the ancient culture. I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to visit as there is not much to see.
That being said, exploring this ancient ruin makes for a great detour on the way to Sedona, Flagstaff, or the Grand Canyon. Those interested in the history of the Southwest and Native American tribes will likely find it the most interesting.
For those staying in the area longer, I highly recommend checking out my guide to the best of Northern Arizona. I have lived in this area for years and worked really hard to put together the best list possible. My guide includes a mix of history, nature, hiking, and cultural attractions.
Additional Details
This attraction is is located about 90 miles north of Phoenix, 45 minutes south of Flagstaff, and about 30 minutes from Sedona. To get here, follow I-17 to exit 289. Turn left on Montezuma Castle Road.
The cost is $10 per adult (under 15 free).
I recommend an annual National Parks “America the Beautiful pass,” which includes admission to this site and every other national park/monument in the country for 1 year at the low price of only $80. If you intend on visiting several national parks/monuments within the year, it will easily pass for itself in just a few visits. Let’s just say that I have taken full advantage of this pass since moving out here.
Leashed dogs are allowed.
Accessibility: The paved path is accessible but you must bring your own wheelchair. Service dogs are also allowed. A sign language interpreter can be arranged with at least a 2 week notice.
