Heritage Days
Tonto National Monument hosts Heritage Days weekend in March to celebrate Arizona Archeology Awareness Month. Heritage Days 2012 will be March 17 & 18.
No entrance fees will be collected during this weekend.
Reservations, which are normally required for Upper Cliff Dwelling tours, will not be necessary during Heritage Days. The trail to the Upper Cliff Dwelling will be open 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The three-mile round trip trail is unpaved, moderately strenuous, and climbs 600 feet. Part of the trail passes through a wash with loose rocks, boulders, and running water. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, and wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. The trip takes 1 1/2 - 3 hours. Pets are not permitted on the Upper Cliff Dwelling trail and cannot be left in your vehicle.
The paved trail to the Lower Cliff Dwelling is one-mile round trip, climbs 350 feet, and usually takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. The Lower Cliff Dwelling trail closes to uphill travel at 4:00 p.m. Pets are permitted, on a leash, on the Lower Cliff Dwelling trail but not in the dwelling.
The Monument's Visitor Center is open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and offers a museum, bookstore, orientation video, viewing deck, and restrooms. A nearby picnic area with shaded tables, restrooms, and water is open until 4:45 p.m.
For additional information, call 928) 467-2241.
