Tonto National Monument
Roosevelt, AZ Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

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Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

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About this location:

National Monument

Operating Hours & Seasons

Tonto National Monument

The hours for the National Monument are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM everyday except December 25 when the monument is closed. Please arrive before 4:00 PM to hike to the Lower Cliff Dwelling. During the months of June, July, and August, the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail begins reduced summer hours from 8 AM to 1 PM, please begin the hike before 12 PM (noon).

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
• Thursday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Friday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Saturday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Additional Information View More

• Christmas Day:
• –

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $5.00 – Per Person Entrance Fee
  The entrance fee applies to everyone 16 and older, children under 16 are free. Tonto National Monument accepts all inter agency federal public lands passes in places of the entrance fee. These Include the Annual, Senior, Access, Military, and Four Grader passes.

About

Quintessential 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.

Directions

The cliff dwellings at Tonto National Monument is 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 and Payson. See our Directions page for recommendations on the best way to drive here from the larger metro areas of Arizona.

Visitor Centers

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.

Weather

Weather during the summer can be extremely hot. It is typically 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than Phoenix. Winter weather might create hazardous conditions on the roads to Tonto National Monument. Severe thunderstorms may lead to a closer of the hiking trails.