The interior of Montezuma Castle in Arizona is off-limits to all except National Park staff. But here’s why the Montezuma Castle National Monument is worth visiting anyway.
What is Montezuma Castle National Monument?
Montezuma Castle is one of the oldest national monuments in the US. It is also one of the most intriguing historic sites in Arizona.
The 20 room, five-storey dwelling was built with mud and rock into a cliff face in the Verde Valley. Construction occurred in stages starting in the 1130s. The builders, now called the Sinagua, abruptly left around 1425. The Sinagua people essentially disappeared after this, most likely being absorbed by other Native American groups.
Where is Montezuma Castle National Monument?
Montezuma Castle is in central Arizona. This Verde Valley historic aite is around one-and-a-half hours’ drive north of Phoenix. It is about 35 minutes to the south of Sedona.
The National Monument is technically in the town of Camp Verde. To get there, you’ll need your own vehicle, or to take a tour. Several tours from Phoenix and Sedona include Montezuma Castle within the itinerary.
Is it possible to go inside Montezuma Castle?
It is not possible for visitors to go inside Montezuma Castle. This is partly because the ladders than the Sinagua used to reach the housing complex are long gone. But it’s mainly because people in the past have gone inside and looted Montezuma Castle. The National Park Service, which manages the site, wants to preserve this remnant of the Sinagua people.
Why visit Montezuma Castle?
If you can’t go inside the Sinagua cave home, why visit Montezuma Castle? Well, in truth, the interior was never the impressive part. Seeing this ancient network of cave dwellings built high into the cliff is where the wow factor comes from.
Montezuma Castle’s sense of mystery is also highly seductive. This is a community that built something remarkable, thrived and then disappeared before Europeans arrived in North America. The Sinagua left no written trace of themselves. Everything we know about these pre-European native Americans is pieced together. The signs along the short walking trail explore this well. The museum inside the Montezuma Castle National Monument Visitor Center also provides a good exploration.
- For more tours from Phoenix, investigate here.
- For more tours from Sedona, look here.
Montezuma Castle opening hours, ticket prices, parking and booking tips
Montezuma Castle opening hours and seasonal schedules
- Montezuma Castle visitor center and trails are open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Last vehicle entry is usually 4:45 pm.
- Montezuma Well main trail is open same hours, though picnic area may close earlier (≈ 4:00 pm).
- The monument is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- Early closures occur on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (around 1:45 pm) and Thanksgiving Day.
Montezuma Castle ticket prices and admission options
- Entrance fee for adults (age 16 and over): $10 (covers 7 days and includes admission to Tuzigoot National Monument).
- Children 15 and under: free.
- Annual pass for Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot: $35.
- Interagency/National Park passes (“America the Beautiful”, Senior, Military, Access etc.) are accepted.
Montezuma Castle parking and access
- Address: 2800 Montezuma Castle Road, Camp Verde, Arizona 86322.
- Directions: take I‑17 to exit 289, drive east through two traffic circles (~0.5 miles), turn left onto Montezuma Castle Road.
- Parking is available at the visitor center. Vehicles need to be parked before last vehicle entry time (≈ 4:45 pm).
- From February 28 to May 7, vehicles and trailers that require more than one parking space are restricted.
Montezuma Castle booking tips and best practices
- Entrance fees are now collected cashlessly (credit/debit or mobile/digital passes) rather than cash.
- You can purchase passes in advance on Recreation.gov to speed up entry.
- Plan visits avoiding holidays (Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving) to avoid closures or early shutdowns.
- Bring water, comfortable footwear, and expect limited shade on trails. Ranger programs are offered (though schedules may vary).
- If you have one, bring your valid America the Beautiful pass, senior/military pass or other interagency pass to avoid paying additional entrance fees.
More Arizona travel
- For more things to do in Arizona, head here.
Other articles about Arizona on Planet Whitley include:
- Driving across London Bridge in… Lake Havasu City.
- Should I do a Grand Canyon day tour from Sedona?
- The best route from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon.
- Red Rock Crossing in Sedona – nature’s greatest swimming pool?
- Where to see bears in Arizona.
- How to drive Hermit Road at the Grand Canyon without taking the shuttle bus.
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