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National Monument · Arizona

Tonto National Monument

National Monument in Arizona. $10 per person. 1 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Monument
StateArizona
Entrance fee$10 per person
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkSaguaro (103 mi)
Closest airportAZA (39 mi)
cliff dwelling in the spring with desert plants and wildflowers.
The Lower Cliff Dwelling in Spring Photo: NPS Photo

Tonto National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Arizona.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Hike the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail (30 to 90 Minutes): 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 h

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $10 per person. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, 8:00AM - 4:00PM. 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.

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) Mesa, AZ No road route 39 Regional
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) Phoenix, AZ No road route 53 Large hub
Show Low Regional Airport (SOW) Show Low, AZ No road route 76 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Visitor Center: Daily, 8:00AM - 4:00PM. The Visitor Center/Museum is open 8 am to 4 p.m. except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The visitor center will close early at 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Saguaro, about 103 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Tonto National Monument?

$10 per person.

Where is Tonto National Monument?

In Arizona. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Mesa Gateway Airport, about 39 miles away.

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