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TONTO NATIONAL MONUMENT IN GILA COUNTY, ARIZONA
The Salado Phenomena, 700 years ago, blended ideas of neighboring Native American cultures to emerge a unique and vibrant society. Tonto National Monument showcases two Salado-style cliff dwellings. Colorful pottery, woven cotton cloth, and other artifacts tell a story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert from 1250 to 1450 CE.
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The southeast-facing settlements were built quite high up a steep hillside within well-protected natural caves overlooking the Tonto Basin, which is now flooded forming Theodore Roosevelt Lake, though originally the Salt River flowed through the basin which was therefore well irrigated and fertile. As with many other ancient peoples of the Southwest, the Salado appear to have abandoned their villages suddenly, early in the fifteenth century, for reasons which are not known.
IMPORTANT PARK INFORMATION
Physical Address:
Roosevelt, AZ 85545
Hours of Operation:
Located off Hwy 87, just 10 miles north of Payson, Payson, AZ 85547
Standard Hours
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Sunday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Saturday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Visitor Center and Museum is open 8 am to 5 pm and closed on Christmas Day.
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Standard Hours -
Sunday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Driving Directions:
The cliff dwellings at Tonto National Monument are roughly two hours from the Phoenix metro area, located in the Tonto Basin. The monument is off AZ Highway 188 near Roosevelt Lake. The nearest major towns are Globe (30 miles) and Payson (50 miles). See our Directions page for recommendations on the best way to drive here from the larger metro areas of Arizona. Click Here
Weather:
Weather during the summer can be extremely hot. It is typically 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than Phoenix. Winter weather may create hazardous conditions on the roads to Tonto National Monument. Severe thunderstorms may lead to a closer of the hiking trails.
Fees & Passes:
Visitor Center:
The Visitor Center offers a great introduction into the people who built the dwellings 700 years ago. The newly remodeled museum features artifacts and replicas. The park movie shows on demand through the day. The bookstore, operated by Western National Parks Association, sells educational items.
Cliff Dwellings:
The Lower Cliff Dwelling trail is open daily (closed December 25) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You must start your hike before 4:00 pm. During the months of June, July and August, start your hike before 12 pm (noon). The trail is 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip and takes about one hour to complete.
3D Modeling (Very Large File - Best viewed on Desktop with highspeed internet)
Click Here
The Upper Cliff Dwelling is open by guided tours only. The trail is 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip and takes about 3 to 4 hours. For more information, visit the Guided Tours page.
Click Here
Basic operational information for the park is showcased here. Simply click on the "+" for specific details. For more info visit the website below.
Photo Credit: Cameron Davis
Photo Credit: National Parks Service
