cliff dwelling in the spring with desert plants and wildflowers.
The Lower Cliff Dwelling in Spring NPS Photo

Tonto National Monument

National Monument · Arizona · National Park Service

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.

Plan your visit

Trails & hiking

Biking · Hiking

Know before you go

Phone
9284672241
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

Things to do

Highlights: Archeology · Cliff Dwellings · Explorers and Expeditions · Native American Heritage · Animals · Geology

Activities & features: Road Biking · Food · Picnicking · Guided Tours · Front-Country Hiking · Junior Ranger Program · Park Film · Museum Exhibits · Shopping · Bookstore and Park Store

Photos

  • Hillside with Saguaro Cactus
    NPS Photo/ Christa Sadler
  • Visitor Center with cliff dwelling and a rainbow in the background.
    NPS Photo/ Macario Mora
  • Two story rooms of the Upper Cliff Dwelling.
    NPS Photo/ Davis Stevenson
  • The view looking out from the cliff dwelling over Roosevelt Lake.
    NPS Photo/ Davis Stevenson

Nearby parks

Parks of Arizona

River Island State ParkChiricahua National MonumentCatalina State ParkPipe Spring National MonumentRiordan Mansion State Historic ParkLake Mead National Recreation AreaLake Havasu State ParkOrgan Pipe Cactus National MonumentFort Bowie National Historic SiteNavajo National MonumentPetrified Forest National ParkGrand Canyon-Parashant National MonumentGlen Canyon National Recreation AreaSlide Rock State ParkKartchner Caverns State ParkPatagonia Lake State ParkDankworth Pond State ParkWalnut Canyon National MonumentPicacho Peak State ParkLost Dutchman State ParkRoper Lake State ParkCoronado National MemorialSonoita Creek Natural AreaCasa Grande Ruins National MonumentRed Rock State ParkTonto Natural Bridge State ParkOracle State ParkAlamo Lake State ParkMontezuma Castle National MonumentGrand Canyon National ParkCanyon de Chelly National MonumentBuckskin Mountain State ParkWupatki National MonumentHomolovi State ParkSaguaro National ParkTumacácori National Historical ParkJuan Bautista de Anza National Historic TrailOld Spanish National Historic TrailFool Hollow Lake Recreation AreaDead Horse Ranch State ParkHubbell Trading Post National Historic SiteLyman Lake State ParkJerome State Historic ParkTuzigoot National MonumentColorado River State Historic ParkSunset Crater Volcano National MonumentCattail Cove State ParkHavasu Riviera State Park

49 parks mapped in Arizona

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Guides for the trip

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Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12