News Release

MONTEZUMA CASTLE AND TUZIGOOT NATIONAL MONUMENTS ARE BEGINNING TO INCREASE RECREATIONAL ACCESS TO OUTDOOR SPACES

Date: May 29, 2020
Contact: Laura Varon-Burkhart

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments are increasing recreational access to trails and outdoor spaces. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning June 5^th, 2020, Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments will reopen access to:  

• Outside trails at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot
• Picnic areas at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot
   

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• Visitor Centers
• Park Stores
• Museums
• Restrooms
• Montezuma Well (Entire Unit)
   

Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments are also observing Stage II Fire Restrictions. During this stage, the following is prohibited:
 

• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including use of charcoal or briquettes.
• The use of stoves or grills that are solely fueled by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) are allowed. 
• Operating internal combustion power tools, such as a chainsaw or other equipment, between 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.  
• Generators with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator are allowed 
• Welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame 
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle. Deposit butts in an ashtray, do not toss or discard on the road or surrounding ground.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At The Verde Valley Monuments, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers. 

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders (https://www.yavapai.us/chs), practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.   

We have amazing virtual tours of Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot all of the time, so for people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time check out www.nps.gov/moca or www.nps.gov/tuzi.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

www.nps.gov


About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.