ArboursAbroad contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase using one of the affiliated links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.
Tuzigoot National Monument is a great place to step back in time and learn of the ancient Sinagua history. With a hilltop dwelling looking over the Verde Valley, it’s easy to sit and imagine what life used to look like before the big roads and loads of people passing through.
At Tuzigoot National Monument, there’s a fantastic museum, offering a look at over 3,000 artifacts from Verde Valley and the surrounding area, and the pueblo ruins are interesting to walk through enjoying not just the views but the history of the rooms.
Tuzigoot National Monument Quick Facts
- Coordinates | Cottonwood | 34.770020, -112.027284
- Tour From Sedona | Book a tour to this national monument and the others in the area here.
- Parking | Paved parking area
- Accessibility | Some paved trails, but throughout the ruins there are multiple steps
- Cost | $10 or free with National Park Pass
- Trail | 1/3 mile loop through the hilltop pueblo ruins
- Nearby Things To Do | In this Sedona travel guide, you’ll find more things to do nearby and other heritage sites to explore.
Tuzigoot National Monument Opening Times
Tuzigoot National Monument is open every day from 8:00 am to 4:45 pm, with the exception of a few differing holiday hours, listed below.
- Thanksgiving Day: Closed
- Christmas Eve: Open 8:00 am to 1:45 pm
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Years Eve: Open 8:00 am to 1:45 pm
- New Years Day: Closed
Your pass for Tuzigoot National Monument grants you access to Montezuma Castle National Monument for up to seven days, and vice-versa.
Preserving The Past
It’s worth noting here, that the Pueblo ruins are actually reconstructed from what they used to be. When archeologists discovered this site, it was actually just a large pile of rocks. However, when excavating the site, rooms were discovered, which have been semi-reconstructed today.
Although the area is a reconstruction of the past, it’s still fragile, and you should refrain from touching the different walls and rocks. Do not climb on the ruins, and stay on the designated paths.
Likewise, when visiting the museum at Tuzigoot National Monument, be sure to look with your eyes, not with your hands! Whew, that phrase brought me right back to my teaching kinder days! 😉
Interesting Facts About Tuzigoot!
- The name Tuzigoot means crooked river. It’s named after the Verde River which crookedly flows nearby.
- Tuzigoot National Monument was excavated during the Great Depression. The excavation was put in place to provide work to those nearby.
- The museum at Tuzigoot is home to over 3,000 ancient artifacts from the Verde Valley.
Trail Information For Pueblo Ruins
- Distance | 1/3 mile
- Terrain | Partially paved, with steps into the ruins
The first trail we took was this trail from the visitor center to the pueblo ruins. The path is an interesting approach to Citadel (the ruins), as you walk up and into the ruins at a pretty steep rate.
While we were walking up this path, we tried to image what those who lived here used to see. Instead of walking up the paved path, they would have entered the rooms via a hole in the ceiling! A much different approach than what we take today!
I especially loved this path because it brings you right into the heart of the ruins, reminding me of times walking through castles in Scotland. There’s a handful of small information boards along the way explaining different things of the past, and you can actually step right into the rooms.
Keep in mind, this trail is paved and accessible for those in wheelchairs and strollers, however, it’s actually quite steep in a few areas.
Interpretive Tavasci Marsh Trail
- Distance | 1 mile total, 1/2 mile out and back
- Terrain | paved
This self-guided trail takes you down to a platform viewpoint of the marsh below Tuzigoot ruins. This trail is also paved and offers a much less steep walk down to the viewing deck.
Along the trail, there are signs explaining the different plants in the area and what they were used for nearly 1,000 years ago.
While this trail is rather short and easy to walk, I recommend really taking the time to slow down and read each sign and enjoy the views of the marshland along the way.
If you’re short on time when visiting Tuzigoot, the Tavasci Marsh Trail is okay to skip.
The Tuzigoot Museum
The museum at Tuzigoot National Monument is home to over 3,000 artifacts from all around the Verde Valley. You can see both locally made and imported pottery, jewelry, textiles, and more!
As you walk through the museum, be sure to pay attention to the building itself. It was built in 1935-1936, and replicated a lot of how the ruins on the hill were built.
We really didn’t give ourselves enough time to walk through the museum, as the site was getting ready to close. Don’t make the same mistake we did, and try and give yourself at least 20 minutes to explore inside the museum alone.
Tuzigoot National Monument Visiting Tips
Amenities At Tuzigoot
When the visitor center is open, there are bathrooms, drinking water, a bookstore, and a really awesome museum at Tuzigoot.
Shade
Shade is non-existent on the trail up to the top of the Citadel and very limited on the trail to the marsh. Be prepared with sun protection like a sun hoodie, hat, or sun screen.
Making The Most Of Your Visit
After stopping in at the visitor center and checking in with the rangers on site, head straight up to the pueblo ruins. Starting here, you can then return to the visitor center and walk through the museum giving yourself a break from the sun, and then grab water and continue down the marsh trail.
Remember, your entry ticket to Tuzigoot works at Montezuma Castle as well. So try and sneak over there for a look at an impressive cliff dwelling castle built into the limestone rock.
Tuzigoot National Monument is an exciting site to see. Whether you go for the history of the area, are wanting a close look at the native artifacts from the region, or are just looking for an accessible trail in the area, I’m sure you’ll find a trip there informative and enjoyable!
If you visit and take photos, tag is @arboursabroad so we can see what you like the most there!
Other National Monuments Nearby
Montezuma Castle | A castle built right into the cliff, within 20 minutes of Tuzigoot. And as a bonus, your entry to Tuzigoot grants you free access to Montezuma Castle too!
Montezuma Well | A rich part of the history of the Verde Valley, literally bringing water to the nearby farms and people.
Palatki Heritage Site | A fantastic cliff dwelling and pictograph wall with tours explaining each and the history of the area! An absolute must if in Sedona.
Honanki Heritage Site | Closer to Sedona with an extremely rough road that I would suggest only high clearance 4×4 attempt.
Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site | The largest amount of petroglyphs in the Verde Valley.
