Montezuma Castle National Monument

National Monument · AZ · nps.gov page

A 5-story masonry dwelling sits in a cliff alcove.
Montezuma Castle was built in an alcove about 90 feet up a cliff. This protects the dwelling from flooding.Photo: NPS Photo/Sharlot Hart

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.

Larger map

Photos

Sun shines on the window sill in a masonry wall; trees in fall color are seen outside the window.
Visitors to Montezuma Castle usually only get to see the dwelling from the outside. This view shows what the Sinagua might have seen.Photo: NPS Photo
Two masonry walls with a dark doorway in a short cliff ledge.
The Sinagua used space efficiently - here a storage room sits in a short cliff space below the main Castle.Photo: NPS Photo
Two cliff dwellings and a tree with yellow leaves above a pond.
Montezuma Well provided a stable source of water to the Sinagua.Photo: NPS Photo/Greg Webb
a blue sinkhole surrounded by algae, reeds, and cattails in a desert landscape
From the overlook, visitors can view some of the dwellings alongside Montezuma Well.Photo: NPS Photo / Lauren Reid

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.