Tuzigoot National Monument

Pueblos Built by the Sinagua - Overview

Where to stay - Things to do - History and Description - What nearby - Map

Perched atop a ridge high above Arizona's Verde River lies Tuzigoot, the remnants of one of the largest pueblos built by the Sinagua. Tuzigoot, an Apache word meaning "crooked water," was built between 1100 and 1450 AD and consisted of two stories and 110 rooms. This structure, along with others whose ruins have been found in the surrounding area, provided shelter for hundreds of Sinagua occupants.

Rates & Fees

Entrance Fee: For both Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle National Monuments. $10.00 per person, children 16 and younger are admitted free of charge. Golden Passports are honored.

Seasons / Hours

Open every day of the year, except December 25.

Visitor Center

Open from Memorial Day through Labor Day 8 AM- 6 PM
Open from Labor Day through Memorial Day 8 AM -5 PM

Facilities/Features

Stores/Museum
The Visitor Center maintains what some consider to be one of the finest museums exhibiting Sinaguan artifacts in Arizona. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association runs a small bookstore in the Visitor Center.

Programs & Events
There is a 1/4-mile, self-guided loop trail that provides wayside exhibits explaining some of the natural and cultural history of the area.

Food/Supplies
There are no food or supplies within the Monument. Overnight accommodations, food, supplies and gasoline are available in Sedona, 20 miles east and Prescott, 40 miles south.

Accessibility
The Visitor Center is accessible to wheelchairs, but the trail is not recommended for wheelchair use.

Location

Tuzigoot National Monument is 65 miles south of Flagstaff, via U.S. Alternate Highway 89, a roadway through scenic Oak Creek Canyon. It is 90 miles north of Phoenix. Take exit 287 and travel west on Highway 260 approximately 14 miles. Click HERE to find places to stay in the area.

Climate

Summers are generally hot and dry, with somewhat mild winters.

Things To Do

Allow at least an hour to view the ruins along the 1/4-mile trail and additional time in the bookstore and museum.

Spectacular hiking opportunities are available approximately 10 miles away in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area.

Link to Park Guide PDF

Precautions, Rules, Regulations

It is the visitor's responsibility to know and obey park rules. Regulations are designed for visitors' protection and to protect natural resources.

All vehicles, including bicycles, must remain on designated roadways. Always use designated parking areas, never stop in the roadway.
Observe posted speed limits; park roads are not designed for speed. Enjoy the scenery safely. Slow down at dawn and dusk and watch for animals.
Buckle up. Seat belts are required by law.
Do not feed wildlife. Avoid contact with rodents. The white-footed deer mouse is a carrier of hantavirus and prairie dogs can carry plague.
Poisonous snakes and insects are common but not aggressive. Keep a safe distance. This is their home and they are protected.
All natural resources, animals, plants, and rocks are protected. Look, but do not take.
Hunting and the possession of firearms is prohibited within the Monument.
Pets are not allowed in buildings, on trails, or tied to fixed objects. They may be exercised in parking areas on a leash. Summer temperatures may be fatal to pets in closed vehicles.