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    Tonto National Monument

    4.7 (44 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Lizzie B.

    This was a really nice visitor center. The lady working here was very nice and helpful. The center was clean and had lots of information on the Tonto National Monument. Cute souvenirs in the shop and the trail starts from the visitors center. The restrooms were decent.

    Entrance Sign
    Travis T.

    This national monument is location in the Superstition Mountains near Roosevelt Lake and is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest. Construction of the upper and lower cliff dwellings began around 1300 CE and lasted till about 1450 CE. These dwelling are located within a cave and were occupied by the Salado culture. Many of the artifacts that were excavated are located inside the visitor center. You are able to walk around the lower dwellings, but the upper cliff dwelling is accessible only by guided tour with a reservation. The walk from the visitor center to the dwellings is a little bit of a hike. It's paved but steep. There are lots of beautiful plants and cacti to look at along the way. When I went, there were two rangers at the dwellings that were there to answer questions. I enjoyed walking around the site and the gorgeous views of Roosevelt Lake. Inside the visitor center are artifacts to look at, educational material to read, a gift shop and a place to stamp your national parks passport book. There is also free spring water available for refilling bottles. Admission is free with a US National Park Pass.

    Kathy V.

    Fabulous! Wonderful volunteers! We kept making use of my parents' recently acquired national parks pass, as well as our desire to adventure on the Apache Trail on this day. That brought us to Tonto National Monument. Cliff dwellings! That you can get up close to and walk around in! If your knees are up for the climb, that is... I was particularly interested in the upper cliff dwellings but...it turns out those dwellings and the trails to them are only open on certain days and must be reserved in advance. I was disappointed but it was fine. I wish the website had been clearer about that. The woman working at the counter was incredibly friendly and warm, welcoming us and giving us the rundown. She also asked my sister and me (ages 35 and 36, respectively), if we were interested in the Junior Ranger program. We sort of giggled but were slightly intrigued and she informed us that ANYONE at ANY AGE can do the junior ranger workbook at ANY national park or monument, get sworn in as a junior ranger, and get a BADGE. You best believe we immediately and eagerly said YES MA'AM we would love to do that! There was even more information in the booklet about the monument than on just the signs around the trail! We were sworn in at the end and given an etched wooden pin badge to keep. The badges are unique to the park or monument too! I realize I am a nearly middle-aged woman, but I LOVE THIS. I think I just started a new collection and goal... Anyway....the dwellings. It is a *very* steep trail up to the cliff dwellings. There is a ranger or volunteer stationed up there for any questions you might have. And my gosh WHAT a view of the Salt River and Roosevelt Lake! Arizona is a breathtakingly beautiful state. There are benches along the way up and informational signs. But like I said, it is quite steep and not for those with mobility issues. Take your time if you need to, if you really want to make it up there to see the dwellings. There was only one informational sheet at the top, which was fine for a while when it was just my sister and me. But if there is a small group, or other interested parties up there, only having one could be a drawback. Worked out fine for us, though. We all had a lovely time and had a lot of fun doing the ranger activities. I do personally think it is worth a visit, especially the drive through the Superstition Mountains. The views are just spectacular.

    Informational film before your hike
    Christina S.

    This was a super educational visit for my granddaughter. She was given a workbook when we arrived to the visitors center and at the end of our visit she was sworn in as a Junior Ranger. The facilities at the visitors center were clean and well organized. The exhibitions were full of information and we both learned a lot. The trail to the ruins is very steep but it is paved and there are benches for resting on the way up, as long as posted information on the plant life which gave me the excuse to stop and catch my breath! The ruins are fascinating and the ranger stationed at the top gave interesting insights and was able to answer our questions about the Native Americans who dwelled here centuries ago. The views of the Tonto Basin and Lake Roosevelt from the top are beautiful. We'll worth a day trip from the greater-Phoenix area!

    Jeni D.

    Beautiful! The path to the lower dwelling is VERY steep but paved. My dad was in a mobility scooter but it was too steep for him to make it very far. There are small signs posted here and there about different vegetation. There are also larger signs about the land and what it was used for, etc. Once you reach the dwelling there are signs to advise you that this area is very fragile. There was also an incredibly knowledgeable ranger there to offer up information and answer questions.

    Going up??
    Robert B.

    Great ruins to visit and explore. The walk up is a Mike but quite the vertical climb up the switchbacks. Multiple benches are available and the wild flowers along the way we're beautiful. The park ranger at the runs was very helpful and informative. Your do get to explore the ruins and see the actual character as well. Wonderful place to visit in the morning while it is cool

    Craig B.

    Our first drive to reach Tonto National Monument and Roosevelt Lake was a fail. Driving up 88 did not work because the road simply ends. The road transformed from two lane paved to two lane dirt to one lane dirt then it stopped. It was probably related to forest fires. While we didn't make it that day, we did get to experience the beautiful Canyon Lake, the best paddleboarding lake in Arizona that I've seen. A weekend later we successfully made it driving the big loop of 88 to 188 to 87. The hike up from the parking lot to the lower cliff dwelling was a steep inclined paved path. The view at the top brought to view the full southern end of Lake Roosevelt. The Lower Cliff Dwellings were nicely maintained. The Park Service even had a person stationed there to answer questions. Looking back on our visit to the Monument, I didn't realize that there was an Upper Cliff Dwelling! Ugh! Missed opportunity!

    Andria G.

    Fantastic site to visit! Loads of history and very knowledgeable rangers. The overlook of Roosevelt Lake was so beautiful. Well-preserved ruins... in fact wood beams were original. Many plaques filled with information along the path. Two options are available to see the dwellings: the Lower Dwelling Path or the Upper Dwelling Hike. We opted for the Lower Dwelling Path. It was free and all that was available during our visit. The path is paved. Some say it is wheelchair/stroller accessible but I thought it was too steep for that. Elevation changes by about 400ft in a half mile so you can be the judge! There were many stopping points along the way to rest if needed. The Upper Dwelling hike is available on weekends. It is $10 person and requires a reservation. Slots fill quickly so don't hesitate to plan. The park is a little out of the way. It is 1.5 hours from Phoenix and 1.5 hours from Casa Grande Ruins. The scenery along the way is stunning. Those reviews that comment it is not worth it are incorrect! Not a lot of services along the way so gas up ahead of time. The amazing views of Roosevelt Lake and the Roosevelt Dam were breathtaking. Parking lot is large and paved. Restrooms very nice. Few snacks in gift shop. Nice displays.

    Joey F.

    Tonto Lower Cliff Dwelling is definitely worth a visit if you're over by Roosevelt lake. Had no idea this was there until we saw some random building off in the distance and tried to find out what it was. There's a visitors center and a little museum as well as a gift shop. The staff there were incredibly friendly and well informed. Forgot the exact price to take the hike, but it was inexpensive and well worth it. They use the money to preserve the history and the structures from vandalism so it's even more worth it. The hike was about a quarter mile on a paved trail, and just enough of a workout to remind me I'm out of shape. But definitely doable. At the end of the hike they have a guide up there to tell you all the history and answer any questions you have, as well as keep an eye on the place. It's crazy to see and walk through something that was built in the 13th century and hear stories of the habitants that built and lived there. If you like history this is 100% worth visiting if you're near the area.

    10.31.16  located in the Superstition Mountains
    May A.

    Interesting! We came to visit the cliff dwellings on our last day of our trip to Arizona. This was a Monday and the place was not crowded at all and the weather was a comfortable high 70's on a mild October on Halloween Day. To start the climb you must go through the Visitor Center and the entrance fee is $5/person (free if you have a current National Park annual pass). Prior to starting the trail there is a landing where guests can sit and view a short 20-min film about the history of the Pueblo Indians who adapted themselves in this desert. There are available benches. Archaeologists called these Pueblos the Salados (Salt River, which flowed through the valley of their homeland). The ascent is .5-miles uphill hike and 300 ft high elevation. Hydrate and bring water bottle with you. There are interpretive signs along the way passing through ancient saguaros, desert plants and lush Sonoran desert as we hiked the trail to the lower cliff dwelling to get to the ruins. It is a narrow paved trail and there are benches to rest. Once we reached the top there was a park ranger ready to answer our questions and educate us. The cliff dwellings are fascinating and how the Salados built these dwellings are even more interesting. We were able to wander freely in and around the ruins. The Salados lived in cool, thick-walled apartment-like villages. As the path climbs even higher, the view of Roosevelt Lake down in the valley grows ever wider. Cool view. Review #0608

    Vistor center with lower cliff dwelling in the background
    Paul L.

    You have to make a reservation to see the upper cliff dwellings. Every time I've found the time, I've missed out because the available slots were taken. That was the case again recently when I called. Fortunately, I was told about Heritage Days when the upper cliff dwellings would be open without reservations. Happy days. I slept down the highway at the Schoolhouse campground -- well worth the six bucks to sleep under the stars -- so I'd be ready to pounce upon the opportunity the moment the rangers opened the trail. At 9:00am, I jumped ahead of a coterie of seniors -- I have no shame -- and hiked up the rocky trail as fast as I could to give myself a 15-minute opportunity to experience the ruins alone (albeit with a few rangers) and take some photos. The views from these dwellings are spectacular. By the time I was ready to descend the trail, the masses had arrived and were making their way up the trail. Latecomers had to park their cars on the highway because the parking lot and road to the visitor center was already filled. A few folks from Phoenix said they had never been to Tonto National Monument and I was surprised. The drive from the city to Tonto is a fantastic one as it takes you through some scenic small towns and twisty mountain roads. This is the quintessential weekend getaway. C'mon Phoenix folks, it's time.

    Lisa M.

    Second time here. This is a great place to see the Indian ruins. There was a fire in the Superstition Mountains in June. They started a back fire in Tonto to protect the monument. Due to a flood that washed out trail we were unable to hike to the upper dwellings. Tours for upper dwellings start back up in January. Sounds like a good reason to come back!

    That is the lower dwelling above us.

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    2 years ago

    Great area to be in. So many sites and views. 2 hours north east of the city. Great day trip. Multiple ways to get here.

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    8 years ago

    Some well preserved pueblos, if you're in the Phoenix area or just passing through the mountains make an effort to stop by!

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    8 years ago

    Clean fun and affordable. We really enjoyed it.black asphalt a little tough on our chihuahuas paws. But one definitely worth a stop.

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    Ask the Community - Tonto National Monument

    Review Highlights - Tonto National Monument

    The Tonto National Monument is located on the Apache Trail right by Roosevelt Lake, a short distance from Globe, AZ.

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    Fort Apache Historic Park

    Fort Apache Historic Park

    5.0(5 reviews)
    65.4 mi

    "Dagot'ee" (Welcome) and "Ashoog" (Thank you)…read more These are the greetings in the White Mountain Apache Language that you will likely feel when you visit Fort Apache Historic Park for it is a captivating destination that unveils the rich tapestry of history. Walking its grounds connects one to what happened in the past. It was a military outpost in the late 19th century site from the 1800s. This park honors the legacy of a turning point in history between the Apaches and the US Cavalry. Exploring the preserved buildings from over a century ago, over twenty in total, tell their tales. A museum and cafe also sit among the remnants of an Indian boarding school run by the Bureau of Indian Education. Quarters that sheltered officers and barracks for the ranks, with an old graveyard too, show both hardships and triumphs of those who made this place home. Each structure recounts stories of the Apache and soldiers who coexisted through changing times. Today, Fort Apache stands as proof of history that came and links cultures still alive. If you love history like me and want to learn about the life of the Apache tribe from the past to the present, this should not be missed. I, myself, frequent the park every time I pick up my mails since the post office is housed in one of the old structures. Outside the post office, you can also pet friendly dogs of families staying in those barracks. They love to get some treats too.

    Fort Apache is a "must see" for those desiring to learn more about western expansion in the 1800s…read more Many buildings are well-restored and so many others remain from that period that you can imagine how the fort was "back in the day". Most interesting is that the Apaches welcomed the US Army into the stunning valley. One registers at the museum for a nominal fee and then you are free to roam all the property including the original site where the commanding officer lived as well as the continuously functioning US Post Office. And, do not miss lunch in the Arrowhead Cafe. The menu is brief but the food is yummy and freshly prepared. Adjoining the cafe is a shop for products made by Native Americans, even handmade clothes and fabrics to make some. We've lived the Arizona for 40 years and should have come much sooner. Also, a school has been on the property since 1920 and has been continuously occupied since then.

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    Fort Apache Historic Park
    Fort Apache Historic Park
    Fort Apache Historic Park

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    Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum

    Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum

    4.3(70 reviews)
    26.2 mi

    The Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum, is set on a 15-acre parcel in the shadow of the…read morebeautiful Superstition Mountains. The museum, itself, showcases the Apache origins of the land while the outbuildings include what remains of the Apacheland Movie Ranch (it largely suffered in a fire in 2004), a working 20-stamp gold mill, the chapel Elvis filmed "Charro!" in, the Apacheland barn, a historical model railroad, Western storefronts, a gift shop/bookstore, and a labeled nature trail. Things of note The Apacheland Barn houses a number of horse-drawn buggies and carts used in 17 television series, 29 full-length feature films, and hundreds of commercials filmed on the site. The buildings scattered around the land include a few Old West scenes and full-size dioramas, complete with plenty of mannequins depicting the scenes. The "crown jewel" is the "Elvis Chapel" - a mini-museum and wedding chapel dedicated to "the King" and his unique western movie, "Charro!" also filmed on site. It is a GREAT way to spend a couple of hours!

    To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect, but my son and I are on spring break and I have to keep…read morethis 4 year old busy! I learned several things here... 1) it's a bit of a hike, which I wasn't prepared for 2) Always carry water in your purse (I didn't) 3) carry tweezers and bandaids (splinters happened) 4) these volunteers were the most knowledgeable and friendliest people I have ever met 5) Elvis Presley spent time in AJ. I think it is definitely worth the trip out and it was interesting enough, until my son strayed from the path and a cholla stung him. I took several photos. It was a gorgeous day in March.

    Photos
    Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum - One of the few Photos we got walking down the mountain before running into our nightmare.

    One of the few Photos we got walking down the mountain before running into our nightmare.

    Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum
    Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum

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    Tonto National Monument - landmarks - Updated June 2026

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