Montezuma Castle National Monument

  • Ken Lund / flickr - - https://flic.kr/p/pP53Ac

Anchors

About

Montezuma Castle Information

Last used by prehistoric Sinagua Indians over 600 years ago, Montezuma Castle has been called one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America.

Montezuma Castle is a five-story, 20 room cliff dwelling nestled in a limestone recess high above Beaver Creek. It is a prehistoric "high-rise apartment building" used over six centuries ago.

With heightened concern over vandalism of fragile southwestern prehistoric sites, Montezuma Castle became a major factor in the nation's historic preservation movement with its proclamation as a national monument. The Castle was described in the December 1906 establishment proclamation as "of the greatest ethnological and scientific interest.

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Making an Impact

NPF's Impact in the Parks

Program

Restoration Efforts on the Castle for Sinagua Indians

This five-story, 20-room cliff dwelling nestled into a limestone recess high above Beaver Creek served as a "high-rise apartment building" for prehistoric Sinagua Indians over 600 years ago.

Park Experience

Nearby Parks

Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument in the Verde Valley, is an ancient village, or pueblo, built by the Sinagua people, who were farmers and artists.

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Arizona's Walnut Canyon National Monument marks the former site of the Sinagua society and attracts hikers with its geology, ecosystem, and wildlife.
Image of Wupatki National Monument red, stone ruins in arid desert landscape

Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki National Monument is among the largest Pueblos on the Colorado Plateau. The dwelling was home to up to 100 people when Wupatki was as a cultural center.