Tonto National Monument

Angelina Adams

2024-05

we went in the very beginning of the morning, it was calm and quite no one else was around. we had the whole place to ourselves. the ladies in the offoes were very nice and every officer in the park answered every question I had! I wish someone else would make replicas of this place so people can come and have an over night themed stay so people can understand what it was like living like these glorious people. imagine being about to go there dress like them and gather all together like a tribe of people, listening to stories of their people around a fire out under the stars. can someone do that?

A. Cook

2024-04

Staff is knowledgeable and kind. They were easy to talk to and able to answer questions. Walk is steep - wear good shoes. The view is worth the walk. There’s so much history so come early so you can soak it all in without feeling rushed. Even in the rain it’s gorgeous. Check out year passes to the National Parks. There are a lot of National Parks in Arizona and all are unique and beautiful.

Dominic Mickelson

2024-02

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popnsmokemcdermotts

2024-04

A must visit! Absolutely beautiful! Be prepared to hike up the mountain. They have plenty of stops along the way. The view is majestic.

Barrel MooMoo

2024-01

I did the lower dwelling. Paved, very steep and dog friendly, except the inside the dwelling. Still worth it. Overlooking the Roosevelt lake.Upper dwelling is guided tour only.Fee required but accept national Park pass.

Deb Schwebke

2024-02

The lower dwelling is not easy to see from below. It is an uphill hike on a paved trail from the small visitors center. Not easy but doable and worth it to be able to walk thru and explore a dwelling. There are benches to rest on way up. The upper dwelling is not visible unless you are physically fit and used to hiking uphill for 1.5 miles, for 3 miles total. The scenery and views of the area are beautiful. My suggestion is if you’re not able to hike and want to see dwellings, consider a visit to another Arizona cliff dwelling. I’d love to see the upper dwelling. Good incentive to start hiking.

Jocelyn Alau

2024-04

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Sandy Schoville

2024-04

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Karen Bennett

2023-12

The NPS Monument consists of 700 year old cliff dwellings, an upper and a lower. Both require a hike but are well worth it. The history of them, available at the visitor center, includes a museum, gift shop, and movie. The staff of knowledgeable interpreters provides visitors with information on historical facts, regional history, animal habitat, and landscape.A scenic view is the reward at the top of each dwelling. Tonto National Monument is well worth the visit

J B

2024-03

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Cassie Nix

2023-09

Fairly small museum, but it has some good artifacts. The trail was closing at noon because of the heat, but you can walk up to the cliff dwellings. It is a steep and unprotected hike, so plan accordingly and definitely bring water. The visitor center does not have any cell service, but they have AC and restrooms.

Brian Snyder

2023-05

I had a really great experience exploring the ruins at this hiking spot. You get to go up into the ruins and see them up close, which is an amazing experience. The hike itself is relatively easy - about 0.5 miles each way - but it might be a little difficult if you're out of shape. That being said, the path is paved and makes for an easy hike overall.One thing that really piqued my interest during the hike was the mystery behind why the Native Americans built their homes so far up and away from the lake. It's fascinating to think about the reasons why they chose that specific location for their homes, and it adds an interesting layer of depth to the experience.Additionally, I learned that the cavern itself functions as a solar shade, which keeps it cool during the summer and shaded from the sun. Over the winter, the sun hits the buildings, warming the ruins. It's amazing to see how these ancient structures were built to be sustainable and adapt to the changing seasons.Overall, I highly recommend checking out this hiking spot if you're in the area. It's a great way to spend a few hours exploring some really unique ruins, and the hike itself is a lot of fun. And if you're up for it, be sure to check out the guided tour as well - it's a great way to learn even more about the history and culture of the area.

Jeff Galbraith

2023-05

Went for a drive on Christmas eve with some friends and ended up here. So glad we made the trip. Very beautiful area with lots of great views of the lake. The cliff dwelling was very cool. The volunteer working was very informative of the area and the dwelling itself. He seemed to really enjoy the work he was doing and took time to ask where everyone was from.Was a good deal price wise as we had to renew our annual national park pass anyways. Cost is normally $10 per person. There are clean restrooms by the visitors center. There is even a small picnic area just down from the visitor center but on the drive into the park.Not very busy today but considering what day it was it should be expected. Staff in the visitor center were friendly as well.

Tom Borchardt

2023-05

This is a National Monument, not a National Park, so it is a unique and worthwhile stop for a couple of hours if you are traveling in this area. A small visitor's center leads to a well-maintained path up to a set of ancient cave-dwelling ruins. From here, you can see the valley below and Roosevelt Lake, and imagine this area as it once was - teeming with people and villages with wide-ranging trade and community. There is a daily tour to a second set of ruins that runs once per day and must be reserved far in advance, but this is not necessary to enjoy this historic area.

Christina Stephan

2023-05

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!

Lady Bonser

2024-05

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Jessica Allen

2024-02

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Justine Vild

2021-05

Great way to spend an hour or two. Got here late at 3:45. It said the lower cliff dwellings closed at 4 so I wasn't sure if we could still go in. Luckily, they just close the entrance at 4. The ranger told us it would take an hour to get to the dwellings. Maybe he meant round trip? Because of that, we hiked up at a pretty good clip with our 9 year old daughter and made it in 12 minutes. Comfortably hiking up and stopping to read all the signs would ideally take 20 minutes. We spent 12 minutes looking around, chatting with the friendly ranger and taking pictures. It was very cool with a great view of the lake. The ranger told us it was half a mile walk up (it was all paved). FYI, the upper cliff dwellings are larger he said, 1.5 mile backroad trail, only available by guided tour. Crazily, it took 13 minutes to walk back down at a nicer, more leisurely pace. We ended up only spending 45 minutes here total but it was the end of the day and we had a 2 hour drive back home so we decided to hit the road. It is definitely worth a visit to see this part of ancient history.

Mary Salinas

2024-04

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Blue & Green Traveling Team

2021-05

Half a mile up to the lower cliff dwelling. Not too bad. I took my time taking pictures and before you know it, I reached the top! Beautiful views of Roosevelt Lake from the dwellings. Lots of rich history. Looking forward to going up the upper dwellings soon! Great place to visit for sure!

Andy Smith

2023-05

This is a great little National Monument to visit. Its easy to get to from Phoenix. You can either use the main road 87/188 or if you have a decent SUV, preferably a 4x4, you can use the 88, but this has 30 miles of unpaved road. There are also other things to do in the area, like go down to the lake or do some hiking, you only need a couple of hours at Tonto unless you are doing the upper cliff dwelling too.Its best to get here when it opens. We went in August and it was quite hot. Even the lower cliff dwelling is an uphill walk. But its well worth doing, not just for the history, but also the views. Its amazing to see how people lived hundreds of years ago, right up to the 1600’s.

corey England

2023-05

The staff and rangers are friendly and knowledgeable. About history, plants the Indians used for both food and medical treatments. The lower cliff dwellings. You can see anytime. The upper cliff dwellings, you need to call ahead for a spot. Worth the wait.

Alice Feeney

2024-01

Well worth a visit. Visitor center, movie, artifact displays, short steep hike. I like that they have volunteers at the top and in the visitor center to answer questions. So helpful.

Garland

2022-05

The trail to the lower cliff dwellings is paved and very easy to walk on! Rangers were very friendly. Great views of cactus and the lake below. If you've never been inside a cliff dwelling, this is an easy one to get too! The picnic area was beautiful with 2 motorhome parking spots. Room for long rigs by the visitor center too.

Taylor Truesdell

2022-05

Beautiful locale with great facilities and awesome rangers who assisted any way they could. There are several picnic spots with shade on the hillside and the area is full of wild flowers this time of year. Meander up the hill to the main parking lot and building to pay, visit the museum, shop for souvenirs, and take the hike up to the cliff dwellings. The parking lot is fairly small and the bathrooms are currently porta john's. Big RVs can park at the base of the monument.

Vanessa Glady

2018-05

I haven't been to this site in a very long time so we packed our lunch and headed out from Phoenix. We went to Globe on US 60 then turned on 188. We stopped at the lookout approximately one mile south of the park entrance and were able to photograph the Cliff Dwelling from that spot. We then headed to the park. To get to the Upper Cliff Dwelling, you will need to reserve a spot on a guided tour. Its 3 miles and takes 3 to 4 hours. The Lower Cliff Dwelling is situated behind the Visitors Center and is 1 mile round trip. The walkway is steep so take your time and there are places to stop. Make sure you are prepared to hike up by wearing good shoes, a hat, suntan lotion and plenty of water. Even in the cooler temperatures, the sun's rays bouncing of the rocks is hot! I did visit the park again and was able to hike to the Upper Cliff Dwelling. There are some steep steps over rocks so I do suggest using hiking poles if you have them. Take your time and you will make it to the top!

Karson Wilson

2023-05

The National Park itself is beautiful but what made the experience for us was Sara. We have been to many of the National Parks and never have we been greeted with such enthusiasm, knowledge and friendliness as we were with Sara. I listened to her give the same information 5 times in less than 15 minutes and her smile never wavered. The park itself is very clean and very easy to navigate.It took my husband and I around 20 minutes to walk the lower cliff dwelling hike at a slow pace, stopping to take photos every so often. The path is well paved and easy for any age.Do yourself a favor and book the Upper Cliff Dwellings as soon as you know you’re coming. It books up FAST. OR as we learned, look into Heritage Weekend where they open the trail to the public, reservation and fee free!This took my husband and I about 35 minutes to walk up. It is not paved. There are quite a bit of loose rocks and dirt. It would say it's a moderate hike. The last half is the incline and that's what gets ya.The parking lot is pretty small for oversized vehicles so maybe call and check if you’ll fit if you’re an RV. There is a sign at the entrance that says no rigs over 45' long. There is a free water refill at the top but there’s also a pretty tight u-turn. We made it easily in our 25’ rig.

Reannon Cook

2021-05

I grew up here but am sad to say never visited the monument before now. It is beautiful. All of the rangers are so helpful and don't mind answering your questions. The hike wasn't bad and the views were gorgeous. Next time we will hike to the upper ruins! My suggestion is go early because it's Arizona and gets hot.

Gretchen Schaumann

2022-05

Wow! Amazing experience… one I won’t be doing again, but am so grateful to have accomplished this incredible experience.***Hint - best to experience early in the morning vs. high noon like we did. We just happened to come upon it while traveling and have an America the Beautiful Pass which gave us free access into this National Monument, so decided to go see it. We didn’t know what it involved, and it was a hot ascent up the mountain walking to see this unique sight.Tonto National Monument is an ancient Indian Cliff dwelling sight that allows You access into their actual homes from the 1300’s time era.Paved trail * Rest stops occasionally * mostly direct sun with very little shade * 1/2 mile with 300’ climbCliff dwellings was fascinating … up close and personal touring of the cliffs within a mountain side overlooking the gorgeous Roosevelt Reservoir.The view of the Reservoir and photos I captured made the difficult task of getting up to this dwelling worth the risk.Amazing experience!!!!

Goody O

2023-05

Awesome adventure for me. I love visiting such places of monumental value, rich history and serene atmosphere. In a 100° temperature, my family and I hiked half a mile up the mountain. I almost lost my breath but it was worth it. The scenic view from the lower cliff dwelling was amazing you could see the Roosevelt lake. I wish I could camp overnight in the cave but it's not possible lol.