Montezuma Castle National Monument
Protected park · AZ, USA
Montezuma Castle National Monument in AZ, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
- Is there a nursing room or baby care at Montezuma Castle National Monument?
- Mapped for this park: 1 changing table. Details
- When is Montezuma Castle National Monument open?
- Usually Mon–Sun 9:00–16:45. Details
- When is the best time to visit Montezuma Castle National Monument?
- By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are March, April, and November. Details
- How much does it cost to get in?
- Published entrance fee: $10 per person. Details
- Where do you park?
- Montezuma Castle Parking Lot has 62 parking spaces. Details
When is Montezuma Castle National Monument open?
- Mon–Sun 9:00–16:45
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions, Visitor center.
Nursing and baby care
Mapped for this park: 1 changing table.
- Montezuma Castle Visitor Center
When is the best time to visit Montezuma Castle National Monument?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are March, April, and November.
The weather works against it in June, July, August, and September.
The warmest month is July, with average highs near 101°F (38°C); the coolest is December, near 59°F (15°C).
August is the wettest month, with about 2.1 in (53 mm) of precipitation in a typical August.
Getting in to Montezuma Castle National Monument: fees and parking
Published entrance fee: $10 per person.
Montezuma Castle Parking Lot has 62 parking spaces.
Four accessible spaces are marked at Montezuma Castle Parking Lot.
Official facts
On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Montezuma Castle National Monument's mapped point sits in the moderate wildfire hazard class; it rates the ground, not the weather.
For river levels near Montezuma Castle National Monument, the USGS gauge Beaver Creek Nr Lake Montezuma, AZ (09505400) posts live readings, 2.2 km away.
Critical habitat: Yellow-billed Cuckoo (threatened). Coccyzus americanus. Endangered Species Act critical habitat (final rule published 2021-04-21, 86 FR 20798), mapped at or near this park.
Critical habitat: Loach minnow (endangered). Tiaroga cobitis. Endangered Species Act critical habitat (final rule published 2012-02-23, 77 FR 10810), mapped at or near this park.
Critical habitat: Spikedace (endangered). Meda fulgida. Endangered Species Act critical habitat (final rule published 2012-02-23, 77 FR 10810), mapped at or near this park.
River or stream: Wet Beaver Creek. Mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.
At the park
- Wildlife & bird watching
- Hiking trails
Shows and experiences
- Historic sites & museum
- Junior Ranger program
- Ranger & guided programs
Before you go
- Limits
- Find out what what activities require a permit
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- Limits
- Always stay on trails, keep an eye on your pets, never put your hands or feet where you can't see, and give snakes a minimum of six feet (1.8 m) of space
- Park alert: Staff Unable to Check Phone Messages at the Visitor Center
- At this time, staff are unable to check or receive phone messages left at the visitor center. All calls to the park are being routed to Tuzigoot National Monument. You can also reach the park at [email protected] if you need to contact the park.
- Getting there
- Montezuma Castle: Follow I-17 to exit 289 (90 minutes north of Phoenix, 45 minutes south of Flagstaff). Drive east (through two traffic circles) for approximately 1/2 mile to the blinking red light. Turn left onto Montezuma Castle Road. Montezuma Well: Follow I-17 to exit 293 (north of the exit for Montezuma Castle). Continue through the towns of McGuireville and Rimrock, following the signs for 4 miles to the entrance to the Well.
- Weather & when to go
- Summer: Hot. Temperatures range from 95°F (35°C) to 115°F (46°C). Nighttime temperatures can be much cooler, around 70°F (21°C). From July through September, heavy rains called monsoons are common in the afternoons. Winter: Cool. Highs average around 55°F (13°C); lows may be in the teens (-10°C). Snow is rare, but possible. For detailed information, visit the National Weather Service: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.61151944900047&lon=-111.8389592099997#.Vi_FZX6rSUk
- Visitor center
- Montezuma Castle Visitor Center — The Montezuma Castle Visitor Center is open daily from 9 am to 4:45 pm. The park may close early on December 24, 31, and the day before Thanksgiving. Please note that the park gate is one mile from the visitor center and locks at 5 pm. — Follow I-17 to exit 289 (90 minutes north of Phoenix, 45 minutes south of Flagstaff). Drive east (through two traffic circles) for approximately 1/2 mile to the blinking red light. Turn left onto Montezuma Castle Road.
- Visitor center
- Montezuma Castle Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Montezuma Castle Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Montezuma Castle Visitor Center
Facilities on the park map
1 changing table, 1 first aid kit, 1 picnic area, 3 restrooms, 4 visitor information.
History
- Opened
- 1906
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Park opened