Tonto National Monument
Hours
See this week's hours below.
- Entrance fee
- $10 · per person
- Phone
- 9284672241
- Address
- 26260 N AZ Hwy 188 Lot 2, Roosevelt, AZ 85545
About Tonto
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.
Hours
Tonto National Monument
Tonto National Monument is open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm all year round. The park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The park closes early at 1:45 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. October 3rd through May 3rd, the Lower Cliff Dwelling trail is open 8 am to 3 pm. May 4th to October 3rd, you must start your hike before 12 pm (noon). The Visitor Center, store and museum are open from 8 am to 4 pm.
| Monday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Changes to these hours
- Closed Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26: Closed
- Closed December 25, Dec 25: Closed
- Closed New Year's Day, Jan 1: Closed
- Open Juneteenth, Jun 19: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Open Independence Day, Jul 4: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Entrance fees
| Per Person | $10 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Education/Academic Groups | Free | 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. |
An America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee at every site that charges one.
Getting there
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
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.
Things to do
Biking, Bookstore and Park Store, Food, Front-Country Hiking, Guided Tours, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Museum Exhibits, Park Film, Picnicking, Road Biking, Shopping.
Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Tonto ↗