Montezuma Castle
A short walk below the dwelling. You can't go inside.
Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot
A five-story cliff dwelling, set 100 feet up a limestone wall, built by the Sinagua about 900 years ago.
It has nothing to do with Montezuma, a name that early settlers got wrong. Its 20 rooms are among the best-preserved in the Southwest. Nearby are Tuzigoot's hilltop pueblo, and the old copper town of Jerome.
- Best Time
- March–May and October–November
- Time Needed
- Half a day
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Check before you go; hours vary by season
- Getting There
- About 90 minutes by car north of Phoenix.
What to See
0 of 2 are freeTuzigoot
A hilltop pueblo you can walk into.
Know Before You Go
- It's right off I-17, and it can get busy. Check hours.
Where to Stay
A stop between Phoenix and Sedona or Flagstaff.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
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Traveler Reviews
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Go Next
Worth a DetourSedona
Arizona
Red rock buttes, easy hikes and a reputation as a spiritual retreat, two hours from the Grand Canyon.
Full Guide
If You're NearbyBisbee and Jerome
Arizona
Two old copper-mining towns turned artists' colonies, clinging to Arizona's hillsides.
Full Guide
If You're NearbyPhoenix
Arizona
Desert resorts, the Desert Botanical Garden and a base for Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Southwest list.