Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument #roadtrip #NationalPark
You wander around the desert outside Sedona and you're constantly amazed by all the natural formations poking up and undulating out of the landscape. Then you come upon Tuzigoot, and your eyes fly cartoon-like out of your head. Because there, on the top of a hill sits a nine-hundred year old chunk of stone put entirely there by people. The structure contains the remnants of some 110 rooms and spans an area large enough so that a lot of the tourists pop their heads around and say "I'm good," and just head back to the visitor's center. It's not a fair comparison, but while Europe was suffering a long, dark period of its civilization, here in the Americas, populations were thriving, and new technology of all kinds was being employed to accommodate them. Here in the Verde River Valley, a group of people later named Sinaguan (without water), put together workable communities in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. They were all to be abandoned later -- by some accounts because of extended droughts -- but what they did here is nothing short of miraculous. I have plenty more to show from this site, but for now, take a gander at this spreading honeycomb of brick and clay, still standing (though patched and repaired by modern caretakers) nearly a thousand years after its construction. And renew your appreciation for the native peoples of this continent. They did not simply survive. They built and fortified and settled and grew. You may look for a culture gap between the new world and the old if you so choose. But come to this place and you will have a hard time finding it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuzigoot_National_Monument
Pretty cool to walk around for a short visit.
No doubt as fascinating for us today as it was for the people who first lived here, the structure at Tuzigoot almost defies credibility. It sits in the middle of what you could arguably call "nowhere" and stretches for acres in all directions. This turret on top is its crowning glory. Archeologists theorize that the chamber inside was probably used for religious services and community gatherings, though there is hardly any evidence to support it. It's not difficult to expand on that and posit that it must also have been used as a place from which to survey the valley, whether to check on the progress of the current crop or to keep an eye out for invaders. Let me say that this latter hypothesis is strictly my own, though it can hardly be original. As I mentioned before, this is probably one of the most important historical sites of pre-Columbian North America. The Sinaguans are a mysterious people, who came and went with hardly a trace -- though several modern tribes claim them as their ancestors. What they built in that short time is a marvel (if not a miracle), and anyone who lives here should avail themselves of the opportunity to see what was accomplished in the harsh and unforgiving desert so many centuries ago.
Flowers of the Hedgehog Cactus, flowering in the museum garden.

Tours & day trips

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Clarkdale: Verde Canyon Railroad Train Ticket

Clarkdale: Verde Canyon Railroad Train Ticket

Activity duration is 4 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 59 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 736 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Spiritual Tours Vortex Tours

Spiritual Tours Vortex Tours

Activity duration is 4 hours
8.8 out of 10 with 74 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 376 per adult
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Water activities

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From Cottonwood: Guided Kayaking Tour on the Verde River

From Cottonwood: Guided Kayaking Tour on the Verde River

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
9.8 out of 10 with 38 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 409 per adult
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Wildlife & nature

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Kayak FISHING Down The Verde River Full Day 20 min from Sedona

Kayak FISHING Down The Verde River Full Day 20 min from Sedona

Activity duration is 6 hours
8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 1,483 per adult*
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Popular places to visit

Tourist on Train Through Verde Canyon in Arizona

Verde Canyon Railroad

You can browse the exhibits at Verde Canyon Railroad, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Clarkdale. While you're here, you can savour the cosy cafes.

Verde Canyon Railroad
Early evening on a golf course, view from the fairway

Pine Shadows Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in Cottonwood at Pine Shadows Golf Course. Stroll along the riverfront in this family-friendly area or seek out the horse riding.

Pine Shadows Golf Course
Jerome Arizona Ghost Town mine car and sign

Jerome State Historic Park

You can browse the exhibits at Jerome State Historic Park, a museum with a story of its own, during your holiday in Jerome. Visit the cosy cafes or top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Jerome State Historic Park

Blazin' M Ranch

Take the family on an outing to Blazin' M Ranch during your trip to Cottonwood. Amble around the area's riverfront or seek out its horse riding.

Blazin' M Ranch

Burning Tree Cellars

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Burning Tree Cellars during your travels to Cottonwood. Stroll along the area's riverfront or simply enjoy its wineries.

Burning Tree Cellars

Arizona Stronghold Vineyards

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Arizona Stronghold Vineyards during your travels to Cottonwood. Stroll along the area's riverfront or simply enjoy its wineries.

Arizona Stronghold Vineyards

Top Tuzigoot National Monument Hotel Deals

Taawaki Inn - Cottonwood, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Taawaki Inn - Cottonwood, an Ascend Collection Hotel

2 out of 5
441 South Broadway Clarkdale AZ
Taawaki Inn - Cottonwood, an Ascend Collection Hotel
The Tavern Hotel

The Tavern Hotel

3 out of 5
904 N Main St Cottonwood AZ
The Tavern Hotel
Lux Verde Hotel

Lux Verde Hotel

2.5 out of 5
301 W. SR 89-A Cottonwood AZ
Lux Verde Hotel
The Iron Horse Inn

The Iron Horse Inn

3.5 out of 5
1034 N Main St. Cottonwood AZ
The Iron Horse Inn
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Cottonwood

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Cottonwood

2.5 out of 5
565 SOUTH 6TH STREET Cottonwood AZ
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Cottonwood
Hampton Inn & Suites Cottonwood, Az

Hampton Inn & Suites Cottonwood, Az

2.5 out of 5
650 West Mingus Avenue Cottonwood AZ
Hampton Inn & Suites Cottonwood, Az
Park Hotel

Park Hotel

3 out of 5
921 Main St Clarkdale AZ
Park Hotel
Cottonwood Hotel

Cottonwood Hotel

2.5 out of 5
930 N. Main St. Cottonwood AZ
Cottonwood Hotel
See all 536 properties in Tuzigoot National Monument
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.