Tuzigoot National Monument: Where Ruins Offer a Window to the Past
Want to walk where the Sinagua people once lived and worked between 1000 and 1400 AD? Tuzigoot National Monument offers visitors the chance to step into the past and explore what once was a bustling village in the Verde Valley of Arizona.
About Tuzigoot National Monument
Atop a hill 120 feet high overlooking the Verde Valley, are the ruins of the pueblo that was once two stories high. Tuzigoot National Monument allows you to move through rooms that once housed 50 people for about 100 years, and more as the population grew.
It is thought that this pueblo had 87 ground rooms and rooms on the second story that were accessed by ladders through roof openings. In total, it is said that this 1,000-year-old hilltop pueblo had around 110 rooms. Situated with views of the Verde River, this area offered fertile land and a safe haven far above the flood plains.
Exploring the ruins and their stone masonry, it is easy to imagine the tight-knit community that once lived here and spent time together in the larger communal gathering areas. While not as preserved as the site at Montezuma Castle National Monument not far down the road, Tuzigoot National Monument provides the opportunity to get up close and personal.
Tuzigoot National Monument Quick Facts
- Location: Camp Verde, Arizona (25 minutes from Sedona, 50 miles south of Flagstaff)
- Open: 8 am-4:45 pm every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
- Price: $10 for a 7-Day Pass (covers both Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments); All National Park Passes accepted
- Pets allowed? Yes
- Trail: 1/3 mile loop, paved, some small hills
What We Found Fulfilling About Tuzigoot National Monument
At Tuzigoot National Monument you’ll love the chance to explore the ruins and move through rooms and up ladders as you reflect on the life the Sinagua people led. Visiting here is an excellent way to contrast the cliff-dwelling structure of Montezuma Castle National Monument.
Walk through the rooms, admire the architecture, and imagine all those who walked here before you. Take a few moments to soak in the surroundings of the beautiful Verde Valley. The vistas on the hilltop of Tuzigoot National Monument are perfect for a mindful moment!
Tips for Planning Your Visit to Tuzigoot National Monument
What You Need To Know:
Tuzigoot National Monument would be a great stop among the other adventures you have planned for your visit to Arizona’s Verde Valley. You most likely will not run into large crowds during your visit, allowing you to take your time as you admire this great piece of history. There are many other great sites to explore in this area (listed below), including great local towns with delicious food and local wine offerings that this area is well known for.
If you love photography, this is a great place to visit during early morning or late afternoon light, as the sun casts its glow across the valley. Just know that they do close the gates promptly at closing time!
With the warm Arizona weather, we found this destination to be most comfortably explored in the winter months. Tuzigoot National Monument is open year-round, though.
What to pack/bring:
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Bring water and/or snacks
- Be mindful of snakes
- Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Your National Park Pass if you have one!
Tuzigoot National Monument Maps
Other Great Attractions in Arizona’s Verde Valley
Tuzigoot National Monument is only one of many attractions in the Verde Valley of Arizona! Combine it with a trip to Sedona, or experience some of the other cultural and historical sites in the area:
- Montezuma Well
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Jerome State Historic Park
- Dead Horse Ranch State Park
- Fort Verde State Park
- Sedona
- Red Rock State Park
- Slide Rock State Park
- Camp Verde
- Cottonwood
There are also great guided tours and activities that help you see and experience more in this area as well!
Fulfilling Travel Tips
When visiting National Monuments that preserve history, a great way to foster fulfillment and build a connection with the place you are exploring is to learn as much as you can and use it as an opportunity for reflection.
While wandering around Tuzigoot National Monument you might set an intention to learn as much as you can about the Sinagua people or spend a few quiet mindful moments reflecting on the life they lead. Or you might ponder how much the passing of time changes things – or how many similarities there are, even after all that time has passed.
Searching for the consistent thread that connects us as humans through time can be really powerful. We are not separated from the past, we are of the past.
Please protect these areas - for the wildlife, the environment, and the enjoyment of future generations. Practice Leave No Trace
