Montezuma Castle National Monument
HIGHLIGHTS
A short drive from Camp Verda, AZ. Perfect for families with small children as the trail is short to see this impressive cliff dwelling.
We were surprised and happy to find that Montezuma Castle is located only fifteen minutes from where we’re staying in Camp Verde, Arizona. We chose to visit in the early morning when the weather is cooler even though it’s only a short walk from the visitor center to see the cliff dwelling. The scale of the structure is enormous and located high up on the cliff side.
It’s worth the short trip, especially if you have kids. They can earn an easy Junior Ranger badge here in just an hour. We spent most of our time taking the loop stroll and talking about what life must have been back when the cliff dwelling was occupied. Make sure to stop for the beautiful diorama experience with an audio guide to get a great idea of what life would have been like in the 1100 to 1425 AD period when Montezuma Castle was a bustling community.
If you’ve been to Mesa Verde, and appreciate archaeological sites, you’ll enjoy Montezuma Castle. Unlike Mesa Verda, you can’t go into the dwelling but can view it from the scenic loop trail. All the more reason to add this stop to your travel plans.
