![\"\"](\"http:\/\/svrcasago.wpengine.com\/bloger\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2011\/03\/montezuma.jpg\" "\\"montezuma\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn 1906 Montezuma\u2019s Castle was recognized as a National Monument.\u00a0 The Sinagua culture,\u00a0 a native group survived in this area in the cliff dwelling and in huts along the waterways for centuries, long before Columbus discovered the \u201cnew world\u201d.\u00a0 The Verde Valley provided everything they needed to sustain the habitat they lived in.\u00a0 The public has not been allowed inside the Castle for the past 50 plus years.\u00a0 This is due mainly to its age and fragility.\u00a0 Built into a cliff, you will find this 20 room apartment above Beaver Creek. This was not the only structure at that time, however, it is the only one that has survived time.\u00a0 \u00a0When you look through the windows you are peeking into America\u2019s past and into the best kept cliff dwelling in the US.\u00a0 Built by the Sinagua\u2019s \u00a0nearly 1,000 years ago it depicts survival and amazing creativity in designing a dwelling to protect them from the blistering desert sun during the day and cool to frigid temperatures at night. At 9am every Sunday Ranger John will guide you through the Montezuma Well which is 11 miles from the Castle. The Well is the result of a collapsed limestone cavern allowing a million plus gallons of water to run through the well daily.\u00a0 The fresh warm water that continuously flows created an aquatic habitat found nowhere else in the world.\u00a0 For thousands of years this well has provided an oasis for humans and the local wildlife.\u00a0\u00a0 Here you will find animal species you have never seen before. NAU has been researching where the water is coming from and how it maintains its constant and consistent 74 degree temperature.\u00a0 Somewhere deep in the layers of earth lies the secret of this well.\u00a0\u00a0 As you wander through the winding pre-historic dwellings you will find pueblo ruins and an irrigation ditch over 1,000 years old that is still used today by the locals.\u00a0 In 1933 an excavation crew discovered the Tuzigoot Village, stabilized it and built a museum which holds the Tuzigoot People\u2019s story.\u00a0 Not a lot is known about the Tuzigoot people.\u00a0 They were believed to be hunters and traveled along the Verde Valley.\u00a0 The citadel is said to have possibly house 250 people in its 110 rooms.\u00a0 The size of the city and the number of people caused them to create solutions to problems and learn how to live together and make good choices to survive.<\/p>\n
The Montezuma Castle Visitor Center holds the largest displays of ancient Sinagua artifacts, approximately 23,016 items. They were known for their beautiful textiles and pottery.\u00a0 You will find the displays incredible.<\/p>\n
There is a lot of walking and the summer temperatures are extreme.\u00a0 Dress appropriately, wear comfortable shoes and bring lots of bottled water to make sure you stay hydrated.\u00a0 Winter temperatures can range between 14 degrees and 45 degrees, a vast difference from the summer temperatures.<\/p>\n
Mailing Address:\u00a0 Montezuma Castle National Monument, PO Box 219, Camp Verde, Arizona\u00a0\u00a0 86322<\/p>\n
Visitor Center Phone:\u00a0 928-567-3322 \u2013 Managed by the National Park Services<\/p>\n
Park Headquarters Phone:\u00a0 928-567-5276\u00a0 Fax:\u00a0 928-567-3597<\/p>\n
Website:\u00a0 www.nps.gov
\nDirections:\u00a0 take the I-17 to exit 289 drive east approximately 1\/2 mile\u00a0to the red traffic light turn left on Montezuma Castle Road.<\/p>\n
Hours:\u00a0 June through August \u00a08am to 5pm; \u00a0September through May 7am to 5pm (Closed on Christmas Day)<\/p>\n
Montezuma Castle Admission:\u00a0 Adults 16 and over, $5.00 (good for 7 days) Children under 16 are free<\/p>\n
Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments \u2013 discounted rate for both together is $8.00 \u2013 ask for the pass if you plan to see both parks. \u00a0There is no admission fee to visit Montezuma\u2019s Well.<\/p>\n
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Montezumas Castle National Monument In 1906 Montezuma\u2019s Castle was recognized as a National Monument.\u00a0 The Sinagua culture,\u00a0 a native group survived in this area in the cliff dwelling and in huts along the waterways for centuries, long before Columbus discovered the \u201cnew world\u201d.\u00a0 The Verde Valley provided everything they needed to sustain the habitat they […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,10,13,15,19],"tags":[47,226,231,287],"class_list":["post-949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventures","category-local-attractions","category-museum","category-photography","category-road-trips","tag-arizona-history","tag-montezumas-castle-national-monument","tag-museum","tag-road-trips"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n