§ 02 — OVERVIEW
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant groups that lived in the Tonto Basin. Together they formed a new ideology, which archeologists refer to as Salado.
Today, descendants of the cliff dwellers continue to call Arizona home.
§ 03 — LOCATION
Directions
The cliff dwellings at Tonto National Monument are roughly two hours from the Phoenix metro area, located in the Tonto Basin. The Monument is off AZ Highway 188 near Roosevelt Lake. The nearest major towns are Globe (30 miles) and Payson (50 miles). See our Directions page for recommendations on the best way to drive here from the larger metro areas of Arizona.
Weather Notes
Weather during the summer can be extremely hot. It is typically 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than Phoenix, AZ. Winter weather may create hazardous conditions on the roads to Tonto National Monument. Severe thunderstorms may lead to a closure of the hiking trails.
§ 04 — AMENITIES
§ 06 — CONDITIONS
National Weather Service · seven-day outlook · updated hourly
§ 07 — SIGNAL
FCC broadband data · actual signal varies in remote terrain
§ 08—11 — FROM THE FIELD
Community Intel from visitors, written reviews, dated trip reports, and reader-submitted photographs.
§ 09 — REVIEWS
§ 10 — TRIP REPORTS
§ 11 — COMMUNITY PHOTOS
Entrance - Per Person
Tonto National Monument charges a fee to all visitors hiking to the Lower or Upper Cliff Dwelling. Tour reservations are required to visit the Upper Cliff Dwelling. The Lower Cliff Dwelling is open September through May 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and June through August 8:00 am to noon. Credit and Debit only
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
Education groups may be granted an educational fee waiver. All requests and documentation must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the school's planned visit.
§ 05 — TRAILS NEARBY
Nearby Trails
§ 01 — VITALS
AT&T
Based on FCC availability data. Actual signal may vary in remote terrain.
Trip Reports
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Fri
99°F
Sunny
5 to 15 mph WSW
Sat
99°F
Sunny
5 to 15 mph SW
Sun
99°F
Sunny then Slight Chance T-storms
5 to 15 mph WSW
Mon
100°F
Slight Chance T-storms
5 to 15 mph SW
Tue
103°F
Sunny
5 to 15 mph WSW
Wed
103°F
Sunny
5 to 15 mph WSW
Thu
100°F
Sunny then Slight Chance T-storms
5 to 15 mph SW
