Quintessential Arizona

The Salado Phenomena, 700 years ago, blended ideas of neighboring Native American cultures to emerge a unique and vibrant society. Tonto National Monument showcases two Salado-style cliff dwellings. Colorful pottery, woven cotton cloth, and other artifacts tell a story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert from 1250 to 1450 CE.

Illuminated cliff dwelling with the Milky Way Galaxy above.
Night Skies

Tonto National Monument helps protect the night skies as they would have appeared to people 700 years ago.

Black and white headshot of Angeline Mitchell
Early Visitors to the Cliff Dwellings

Read an early account of the cliff dwellings at Tonto written by a local school teacher in 1880,

Arrowheads and flintknapping tools on colorful blanket
Cultural Resource Management

Learn about the science-based approaches park staff use to manage the park’s irreplaceable archeological sites and artifacts.

A black and white photo of the Upper Cliff Dwelling.
Civilian Conservation Corps at Tonto

Learn about the work completed by the Navajo "Mobile Unit" of the CCC in 1940.

Cliff dwelling in desert landscape
Lower Cliff Dwelling Construction

Learn how the Lower Cliff Dwelling was built, around 1300 AD

Last updated: January 30, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

26260 N AZ Hwy 188 Lot 2
Roosevelt, AZ 85545

Phone:

928 467-2241

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