{"id":"nps-moca","slug":"montezuma-castle-national-monument","name":"Montezuma Castle National Monument","designation":"National Monument","category":"national-monument","categoryLabel":"National Monument","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"MOCA","designation":"National Monument","sourceId":"nps-moca"}],"states":["AZ"],"stateNames":["Arizona"],"location":{"lat":34.62237771,"lon":-111.8147857},"bbox":[-111.8476,34.6056,-111.75,34.653],"acres":{"value":1031,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[{"id":"ppl-m-montezuma-castle","type":"protected","label":"Protected by T.R.","date":"1906-12-08","then":"Montezuma Castle National Monument","thenKind":"national monument","text":"As President, Theodore Roosevelt set aside it (1906-12-08).","note":"A five-story Sinagua cliff dwelling tucked into a limestone cliff above Beaver Creek.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-696-setting-aside-montezuma-castle-national-monument-arizona","name":"presidency.ucsb.edu"},{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20200214180323/https://www.nps.gov/archeology/sites/antiquities/monumentslist.htm","name":"web.archive.org"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/articles/lee-story-proclamation.htm","name":"nps.gov"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm","name":"nps.gov"},{"name":"Roosevelt’s Public Lands","url":"https://publiclands.labs.trlibrary.com/#place=m-montezuma-castle"}],"dataset":"publiclands","reviewed":true},{"id":"ea-proc-696","type":"executive-action","label":"Traces to a T.R. proclamation or order","date":"1906-12-08","document":"Proclamation 696","title":"Setting Aside Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona","relation":"began with this document","text":"Proclamation 696 (1906-12-08): “Setting Aside Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona.” Today’s site began with this document.","note":"1,015.52 acres today, in two detached pieces: the Castle and Montezuma Well.","sources":[{"name":"Proclamation 696 in Theodore Roosevelt’s Executive Orders and Proclamations","url":"https://executiveactions.labs.trlibrary.com/document.html?id=proc-696"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division, listing of acreage, June 30, 2026"}],"dataset":"executiveactions","reviewed":true}],"trTypes":["protected","executive-action"],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=34.653&b_tl_lng=-111.8476&b_br_lat=34.6056&b_br_lng=-111.75","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Montezuma%20Castle%20National%20Monument","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D225B-1DD8-B71B-0B0DBFDBFAA82723.jpg","title":"Montezuma Castle in the Cliff","alt":"A 5-story masonry dwelling sits in a cliff alcove.","caption":"Montezuma Castle was built in an alcove about 90 feet up a cliff. This protects the dwelling from flooding.","credit":"NPS Photo/Sharlot Hart","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/193DAD11-B32B-19F0-0959AAC359D8B386.jpg","title":"Window in Montezuma Castle","alt":"Sun shines on the window sill in a masonry wall; trees in fall color are seen outside the window.","caption":"Visitors to Montezuma Castle usually only get to see the dwelling from the outside.  This view shows what the Sinagua might have seen.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7ACA59-1DD8-B71B-0B68D8F8681AA81D.jpg","title":"Storage Room at Montezuma Castle","alt":"Two masonry walls with a dark doorway in a short cliff ledge.","caption":"The Sinagua used space efficiently - here a storage room sits in a short cliff space below the main Castle.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D24B8-1DD8-B71B-0BB914B45A478699.jpg","title":"Montezuma Well","alt":"Two cliff dwellings and a tree with yellow leaves above a pond.","caption":"Montezuma Well provided a stable source of water to the Sinagua.","credit":"NPS Photo/Greg Webb","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/F45E85C2-E02B-C165-AA36D3793469BF62.jpg","title":"Montezuma Well Overlook","alt":"a blue sinkhole surrounded by algae, reeds, and cattails in a desert landscape","caption":"From the overlook, visitors can view some of the dwellings alongside Montezuma Well.","credit":"NPS Photo / Lauren Reid","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Cultural Demonstrations","Astronomy","Camping","Food","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","Archeology","Cliff Dwellings","Arts","Photography","Commerce","Trade","Native American Heritage","Animals","Birds","Climate Change","Fire","Groundwater","Unique Species"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"10.00","description":"This entrance fee covers one adult, aged 16 and over, for entrance to Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments for 7 days."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"35.00","description":"$35 annual pass, good for one (1) year.\nWill cover the entrance fee at both Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments.\nAvailable to everyone; good for card holder plus 3 adult guests.\nCan be obtained in person at Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, or online at Recreation.gov.\nPasses are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen."}],"hours":[{"name":"Montezuma Castle","description":"Montezuma Castle is open daily. Please note that the park gate is one mile from the visitor center and closes at 4:45pm. Parking on the road or in front of the gate is not allowed at any time.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","monday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","thursday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","sunday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","tuesday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","friday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","saturday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"thursday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"New Year's Day","start":"2027-01-01","end":"2027-01-01","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]},{"name":"Montezuma Well","description":"Montezuma Well, a separate unit of Montezuma Castle National Monument and is open daily. Please note that Montezuma Well is a 20-minute drive from Montezuma Castle.  Parking on the road or in front of the gate is not allowed at any time.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","monday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","thursday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","sunday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","tuesday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","friday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM","saturday":"9:00AM - 4:45PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"thursday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"New Year's Day","start":"2027-01-01","end":"2027-01-01","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"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","contacts":{"phone":"9285673322","email":"moca_tuzi_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Montezuma Castle Visitor Center","description":"This visitor center provides the entrance fee station, as well as bathrooms, a small museum, and the Western National Parks Association bookstore. Stop in first to get all the information you need!","url":"https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm","lat":34.6117752905,"lon":-111.839796941}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"tuzigoot-national-monument","km":26},{"slug":"coconino-national-forest","km":40},{"slug":"agua-fria-national-monument","km":49},{"slug":"walnut-canyon-national-monument","km":67},{"slug":"prescott-national-forest","km":76},{"slug":"sunset-crater-volcano-national-monument","km":88}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=moca"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.618Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Staff Unable to Check Phone Messages at the Visitor Center","text":"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 moca_tuzi_info@nps.gov if you need to contact the park.","url":null,"updated":"2026-01-30 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-8E9F1307-4B0D-491C-BCB6-2FFCC1B2AC99"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/montezuma-castle-national-monument/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/montezuma-castle-national-monument.geojson"}