Tonto National Monument

Plan Your Visit NPS.gov

Visitor Center with cliff dwelling and a rainbow in the background.

Two story rooms of the Upper Cliff Dwelling.

The view looking out from the cliff dwelling over Roosevelt Lake.

Park Alerts (3)

Stage One Fire Restrictions currently in Place: Effective as of May 17th, 2026, Tonto National Monument will be under stage one fire restrictions. Building any fires with Charcoal or Wood, including Smoking is prohibited in all areas. Exceptions ar...

Change in Hours for Summer Season: Due to the potential of excessive summer heat, starting Monday May 4, The Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail will close at 12:00P.M. The visitor center & park will remain open until 4:00P.M. These hours will ...

Water is Required: Due to the trail being steep of 12 percent grade, all visitors wishing to hike the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail must bring a water bottle with them. No Exceptions.

About Tonto National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant groups that lived in the Tonto Basin. Together they formed a new ideology, which archeologists refer to as Salado.

Today, descendants of the cliff dwellers continue to call Arizona home.

Things To Do

30-90 Minutes

Hike the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail

The Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail begins in the visitor center and winds up the side of a mountain. It ends in the Lower Cliff Dwelling where visitors can walk through portions of the structure. Along the trail are views of the cliff dwelling, various desert plants, and Roosevelt Lake. This trail is open year-round, but hours vary. Please check for the most up-to-date hours.

Available Activities

Biking

Road Biking

Food

Picnicking

Guided Tours

Hiking

Front-Country Hiking

Junior Ranger Program

Park Film

Museum Exhibits

Shopping

Bookstore and Park Store

Weather

Weather during the summer can be extremely hot. It is typically 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than Phoenix, AZ. Winter weather may create hazardous conditions on the roads to Tonto National Monument.

Severe thunderstorms may lead to a closure of the hiking trails.

Getting There

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.

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Plan Your Visit

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Hours

Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument is open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm all year round. The park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The park closes early at 1:45 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. October 3rd through May 3rd, the Lower Cliff Dwelling trail is open 8 am to 3 pm. May 4th to October 3rd, you must start your hike before 12 pm (noon). The Visitor Center, store and museum are open from 8 am to 4 pm.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person

Tonto National Monument charges a fee to all visitors hiking to the Lower or Upper Cliff Dwelling. Tour reservations are required to visit the Upper Cliff Dwelling. The Lower Cliff Dwelling is open September through May 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and June through August 8:00 am to noon. Credit and Debit only

$10.00

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

Education groups may be granted an educational fee waiver. All requests and documentation must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the school's planned visit.

$0.00