• Lower Cliff Dwelling

    Tonto

    National Monument Arizona

Birds

male cardinal

male cardinal

NPS Photo

Although Tonto National Monument was established to preserve the cliff dwellings, it also protects a great diversity of plant and animal life. Over 160 species of birds have been observed or heard within the monument. Click on the link for a bird list.

This diversity can be explained in part by the Monument's location. The vegetation is dominated by jojoba, followed by palo verde and brittlebush. Other plants include various species of cholla, saguaro, sotol, yucca, agave, ocotillo, and native and nonnative grasses. A small riparian area contains sycamore, walnut, hackberry, and dewberry. For more information, check out our virtual tour.

Did You Know?

striped skunk

Four different varieties of skunk have been seen at Tonto National Monument - the hooded, hog-nosed, striped, and spotted.  They may look different, but they all smell the same! More...