State Parks and National Parks

The cliff dwellings in this national monument were inhabited during the 13th and 14th centuries by the prehistoric Salado people who farmed the Salt River Valley.

Situated within rugged terrain at the northeastern boundary of the Sonoran Desert, the monument preserves cliff dwellings and other archaeological sites.

For 300 years, a vast culture lived within the Tonto Basin, surviving and adapting to the arid environment. Built in shallow caves, perched more than a thousand feet above the river valley, the cliff dwellings represent the final phase of occupation in this area.

The river valley below, once a thriving settlement with farm fields and stone dwellings, is now covered by Roosevelt Lake.

The surrounding mountains built by sedimentary layers and then uplifted, are continually being shaped through erosion and weathering.

From the valley rising 2000 feet to the mountain tops, spreading through open areas, sheltered among rocks, nestled in canyons, and hidden among washes are different local environments, each with their own community of wildlife. This is the tremendous diversity and interconnection of life that is the Sonoran Desert.

Cool winters are an active time for the monument. Many animals are more visible during the day and the number of visitors is much greater. Even with two rainy seasons, the average rainfall is only 15 inches. Storms entering the valley sometimes leave moisture and other times just pass on through to other places.

The park offers some hiking, interpretive talks, picnic spots and numerous photographic opportunities, as well as a visitor center and museum.

A paved trail to the Lower Cliff Dwelling is self-guided (one mile round-trip). Leashed pets are permitted on the Lower Cliff Dwelling trail.

Guided tours to Upper Cliff Dwelling are available November through the end of April. They take three to four hours, and are three miles round-trip. Reservations are required. Four tours are given weekly, depending on staffing. Tours limited to 15 people and often fill quickly. Pets are not allowed on the Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail.

Tonto National Monument has no campsites, but the adjacent Tonto National Forest has several campgrounds within 10 miles.

Photo credits in order: Photo by Richard Frear, courtesy of National Park Service.