THINGS TO DO,PARKS & OUTDOORS,FAMILY FUN
Montezuma Well
A spring-fed desert sinkhole with cliff dwellings, pueblo remains, a prehistoric canal, and a short scenic loop trail.
Why it’s worth a stop
In about 45 minutes you can see an unusual desert oasis, wildlife habitat, ancient homes, and an irrigation system that still carries water.
About this place
Montezuma Well is a separate, free-to-enter unit of Montezuma Castle National Monument. A short walk reaches the rim of a limestone sinkhole holding more than 15 million gallons of water, continually replenished by underground springs. The loop reveals cliff dwellings, pueblo remains, the outlet, and a centuries-old irrigation canal, bringing natural history and more than a thousand years of human use into one compact stop.
Good to know
Admission is free. Follow I-17 exit 293 and the paved route; some GPS directions try to use rough back roads. Stay on marked trails, bring water, and note that the Swallet Trail is normally closed May 1–July 31 to protect roosting bats. Leashed pets are allowed on trails.
