Things to Do in Denali National Park

Located in the Deschutes National Forest, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument sprawls across 54,000 scenic acres in the high plains of Central Oregon. This natural wonder was once the site of the Newberry Volcano, which erupted over 75,000 years ago (and is still seismically active). It’s now filled with lakes, lava tubes, and geographical patterns, and visitors come to the area for hiking, camping, fishing, winter sports, and more.

While a guided tour is the most stress-free way to get to the park, it can easily be accessed on your own by car. Visitors and locals flock to the area in the summer for outdoor activities. There are two alpine lakes that are popular for fishing, numerous hiking trails with views of the nearby mountains, and scenic campsites for those wanting to stay overnight. In the winter, there are two snow parks perfect for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Extending from the south of Bend to the south of Sunriver, and east of LaPine, the Newberry Park Volcanic Monument is easily accessible by car. The visitor center is located off of Highway 97 at the north end of the park. 

The park is open and accessible year-round, and there isn’t a bad time to visit. In winter, see snowcapped mountains and spend the day in a snow park, open November to April 30 (a permit is required). In summer, hike the park’s numerous trails for a daily fee.

For group camping within the monument, your only option is Newberry Group Campground. Sitting along the south shore of Paulina Lake, this site is popular for birdwatching, biking, and hiking. Reservations can be made online or via phone for camping June through September.

Yellowstone is home to one of the largest concentrations of mammals in the lower 48 states, and the spectacular Lamar Valley ranks among the best locations in the park to spot wildlife—black and grizzly bears, elk, bison, wolves, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and several types of birds. It’s easy to see why it’s nicknamed America’s Serengeti.

 

Wildlife sightings are almost guaranteed in Lamar Valley, and since it’s located in the more remote northeastern corner of the park, it’s largely free of crowds. Self-guided driving tours of Yellowstone's Upper Loop often include Lamar Valley, as well as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin, Obsidian Cliff, and the Petrified Tree. For wildlife spotting tips from an expert, consider booking a private wildlife tour through the Lamar and Hayden valleys.

 

 

Lamar Valley is located along the Northeast Entrance Road (Route 212) just off Grand Loop Road at Tower Junction.

 

Lamar Valley is accessible to cars year-round, and the best time to visit depends on what animals you’re hoping to see. Bears tend to start emerging in March and April as they graze in the valley meadows, while wolves are easier to spot in winter when they stand out against the snow. No matter the season, plan to visit in the early morning or late evening when animals are at their most active.

 

During the early 20th century, the Lamar Buffalo Ranch was established in the Lamar Valley to breed bison to be released into the park’s free-roaming population in an effort to protect the species. Today, the park’s bison population ranks among the largest and most genetically pure in North America. The Lamar Buffalo Ranch Historic District, included on the National Register of Historic Places, comprises five historic structures.

While you might want to cry at Zion’s beauty, save the weeping for the natural springs that trickle down Zion Canyon. At this popular stop along the canyon drive, a paved trail climbs for half a mile up the canyon wall, and provides views of a spring that slowly drips towards the Virgin River below. The water that seeps from the vertical cliff face has been trapped in the walls for years, and while the flow is rarely more than a trickle, large icicles can form in winter and hang from the multi-hued cliffs. After a heavy rain or thunderstorm, a torrential waterfall can sometimes form high on the canyon walls, and the rocky alcove at the top of the trail offers a panoramic vantage point for viewing the water and the valley floor below. While standing beneath the undercut rock, look out towards the other side of the valley where the Great White Throne thrusts its way above the surrounding spires. Though “weeping walls” are fairly common in Zion National Park, the Weeping Rock trail is short and accessible for all different types of travelers.

Experience one of the most iconic views in California's Death Valley National Park from the overlook at Zabriskie Point. Located in the Amargosa Range on the east side of Death Valley, Zabriskie Point is surrounded by an otherworldly, maze-like landscape formed by the erosion of long-arid sediments in the Furnace Creek Lake area.

This view, often coveted on day trips to Death Valley from cities like Las Vegas, is best seen at sunrise or sunset when the sunlight paints beautiful colors across the crags and canyons of the badlands.

In the southwest corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is known for its Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and boasts a landscape of mesas and canyons. This UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts history and archaeology buffs who go to marvel at the pueblos built into cliffs, which were inhabited from about 1190 to 1300.

 

Start at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center to get oriented with the national park and purchase (optional) admission to the Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House cliff dwellings, which can be accessed only on popular ranger-guided tours. Or check out the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and drive along Mesa Top Loop Road, a 6-mile (10-kilometer) route that’s home to easily accessible surface dwellings and cliff dwelling overlooks.

The closest city to the park is Cortez, Colorado, but the historical railroad town of Durango is the more visitor-friendly base from where most day tours to the park depart. Book a tour if you want the ease of round-trip transportation; otherwise go on your own to explore at your own pace.

 

 

The turnoff from Highway 160 to Mesa Verde National Park is about a 45-minute drive from Durango, between the towns of Cortez and Mancos. From there it’s a 21-mile (34 kilometer) drive to the first view of a cliff dwelling along a winding road.

 

The park is open daily year-round, but winter weather may cause some closures. While it’s typically mild in the winter, snowstorms are possible from October through May. It’s warm to hot from June to September, when temperatures can exceed 90°F (32°C) during the day with cool evenings. In July and August, be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms.   

About an hour’s drive southwest of Mesa Verde lies the Four Corners Monument, where the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet. Managed by the Navajo Nation, the remote site features a marker where you can stand in four states at once.

Grand Prismatic Spring is not only the largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, but one of the largest in all of North America. More than its size though, the spring is famous for its colors that radiate from a deep-blue center out to green, yellow, and red. It’s a spectacular sight unlike anything else in the park.

One of the best ways to see Grand Prismatic Spring is on a Yellowstone Lower Loop tour, which might take you to the springs as well as other attractions like Norris Geyser Basin, Excelsior Geyser, and the Fountain Paint Pots in just one day. Once you arrive at Grand Prismatic, take a walk around the wooden boardwalk circling the spring and admire views of the colorful surface. Be warned, though, that the water itself is far too hot to touch. For the best view of the spring, take a short hike up one of the nearby hills (such as Midway Bluff) for a panoramic vantage point.

Grand Prismatic Spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin on Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road. It’s approximately 15 minutes north of Old Faithful, set near the banks of the Firehole River. From the parking area, it’s a short walk on a wooden boardwalk to reach the shore of the spring. 

Though it may be extra steamy, the springs show their brightest colors under midday sun. Plan your visit for a summer afternoon for the best chance of seeing the famous colors.

Even if you're not staying in Yellowstone National Park, it's possible to visit Grand Prismatic Spring in just one day. Look for guided tours from Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, and more to visit with the ease of transportation and a tour guide. Or, opt to drive yourself on a Lower Loop self-guided tour to visit on your own schedule.

Named for its frequent and predictable eruptions, Old Faithful is the gold standard of geysers and the star attraction of Yellowstone National Park. The steaming, multicolored pool puts on a show every 60 to 120 minutes, when it shoots boiling water up to 180 feet (55 meters) into the air. 

Most tours of Yellowstone National Park stop by Old Faithful to see one of the geyser’s spectacular eruptions. Day trips to Yellowstone can last up to 13 hours and typically leave from Jackson or Jackson Hole, and visit Old Faithful along with park highlights such as Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Small-group tours offer a personalized experience, while self-guided tours are also available if you want to explore the park at your own pace. 

Old Faithful is located in Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin, in the southwest section of the park. The geyser is roughly a 50-minute drive from West Yellowstone, and 80 minutes from Mammoth Hot Springs and the park’s southern entrance. 

You can visit Old Faithful from May to October, although summer is the most popular time. To beat the crowds, consider visiting in the early morning or in the moments just before dusk. If the eruption schedule aligns with sunrise, be sure to set an alarm so you can watch Old Faithful spout water at dawn.

There are more geysers in Yellowstone than any other place in the world. To visit the park’s geysers, enter through the West Entrance and continue to Madison, the jumping-off point for geyser basins to the north and south. The Lower Geyser Basin, which includes Fountain Paint Pot, and the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful, are both to the south. The Mammoth Hot Springs and Steamboat geysers are in the Norris Geyser Basin to the north.

You can thank the meandering Virgin River for Zion’s epic beauty. Due to the ferocious forces of erosion over 200 million years, the Virgin River has carved Utah’s sandstone into geological art. Beginning at over 9,000 feet to the north of the park, the north fork of the river winds its way for 190 miles toward southern Nevada and beyond. Along the way it sculpts legendary formations such as Zion’s famous Narrows, and the striated lines of the canyon walls provide a peek at what the center of the Earth might look like.

On the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the road parallels the Virgin River as it winds its way down the canyon, and rockslides, floods and shifting boulders are evidence that the river isn’t quite finished carving Zion Canyon. In the town of Springdale on the park’s southern entrance, tubing down the river is a popular activity in the late spring and summer.

Grand Teton National Park protects the jagged, snowcapped peaks of Wyoming’s Teton Range along with glacial lakes, dense forests, 200 miles (322 kilometers) of hiking trails, and a stretch of the Snake River. The park also provides excellent opportunities to spot resident elk, bears, bald eagles, gray wolves, and moose.

Visitors to Grand Teton National Park can enjoy a myriad of activities including fishing, hiking, camping, climbing, boating on Jenny Lake, rafting the Snake River, or viewing wildlife. Many travelers visit the park on a day trip from Jackson Hole or Cody, with options ranging from self-guided tours designed by knowledgeable local guides to half- or full-day guided excursions with pickup and drop-off at Jackson Hole hotels. The park’s proximity to Yellowstone National Park makes it easy to combine two national parks into one vacation.

The nearest major airport to the park is in Jackson Hole, but many visitors choose to drive from Salt Lake City, about 300 miles (483 kilometers) away. The park has entrances on its north, south, and east sides.

Grand Teton National Park is open year-round, though some facilities and roads close in the winter. With sunny days and clear nights, summer and autumn represent the best times to visit. Expect chilly temperatures and frequent rainfall in the spring.

Besides Yellowstone National Park, located just a few miles away, other area attractions worthy of a visit include the National Elk Refuge, the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, and the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

It may be best known for its fall colors, but there’s something to love during every season at Shenandoah National Park. During winter, the park glistens when covered in snow and ice. Spring means wildflowers, and in the summer, the park’s elevation calls for cooler temperatures. But regardless of the time of year, visitors should expect to see wildlife. More than 50 species of mammals live in Shenandoah, and although they do a good job remaining hidden, the park has one of the densest populations of black bears within the United States.

White-tailed deer are frequently seen along Skyline Drive, the scenic roadway that runs through the park, which is in total 105 miles long, running from the Front Royal (North) Entrance Station to the Rockfish Gap (South) Entrance Station in the Waynesboro-Charlottesville area. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park, but with 75 overlooks, your time results may vary. The speed limit on Skyline Drive is 35 mph, and mile markers are used to help visitors locate places along the way.

With more than 500 miles of hiking trails (some of which include waterfalls), be sure to spend some time out of your car. The park is also one of just a few that allows leashed pets on most trails. There is an assortment of lodging choices available in the park, ranging from hotel-style rooms to cabins. There are also four campgrounds, and while backcountry camping is allowed, a free permit is required.

Situated in heart of what many call the “true Everglades”—a river of grass that stretches 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico—Shark Valley is part of a freshwater ecosystem with incredible biodiversity. It’s one of the best places in Everglades National Park to spot alligators, birds, and other wildlife.

 

Visitors start their explorations at the Shark Valley Visitor Center to learn more about local ecology. A 15-mile (24-kilometer) paved loop circles through the area and is open to cyclists and pedestrians. One of the most popular ways to explore the area (and cover more ground than you could on foot) is via a guided tram tour. During this 2-hour excursion, visitors can spot wildlife while learning about the wetlands from an onboard naturalist guide.

 

 

Because there is no public transportation to Shark Valley, the best way to get there is to join a guided tour with round-trip transportation, or to drive yourself. The visitor’s center is located along Highway 41, 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of the Florida Turnpike.

 

The Shark Valley entrance to Everglades National Park is open daily from 8:30am to 6pm, even though the park itself is open 24 hours a day. The best time to spot wildlife is during the dry season (November to March); this is also when visitors will find the biggest variety of ranger-led programming.

 

Shark Valley may seem like an odd name for an area of wetlands best known for alligators. This area of the park, added in 1989, is actually named after the Shark River Slough: the very river of grass that makes the Everglades so famous. The water of the Shark River comes primarily from Lake Okeechobee, and since there’s water in the area even in the dry season, animals tend to congregate here.

Haleakala’s summit stretches 10,023 feet (3,055 meters) above Maui’s world-renowned beaches. Vast swaths of its slopes—33,000 acres (13.4 hectares) from summit to sea level along the Hawaiian island’s southeastern coast—are protected within Haleakala National Park, where visitors hike, bike, camp, and catch sunsets (and sunrises) of a lifetime. Now considered a dormant volcano, Haleakala last erupted sometime between the 15th and 17th centuries.

 

Haleakala National Park is divided into two sections with separate access points, Haleakala Crater and the Kipahulu district. Most visitors head for the main event: Haleakala’s rocky, barren summit and its expansive lunar-like crater stretching some seven miles (11 kilometers) across. Popular guided summit tours include Haleakala sunrise tours, promising stunning views of the sea and sky, and bike tours that zip you down the volcano’s steep slopes. Some tours even couple a Haleakala sunrise with a scenic drive along Maui’s winding Road to Hana. The park’s Kipahulu district is lush, coastal, and more isolated, offering hiking and swimmable waterfall pools.

 

To reach Haleakala National Park, you need to book a tour or arrive by car; there is no public transport into the park itself. Driving time from the resort areas of Kihei and Kaanapali is about two hours to the summit, or three to four hours to Kipahulu. Summit access is via Upcountry Maui, passing through the quaint town of Makawao along Routes 377 and 378.

 

Haleakala National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. On clear mornings, many visitors take advantage of the peak’s lofty vantage point to watch the colorful sunrise, with tours departing as early as 2am to arrive in time. If you’re crowd adverse, try a sunset tour where, on clear nights, an equally spectacular explosion of color bleeds into top-notch stargazing. Tours meet on the mountain a few hours before sunset.

 

The volcano’s slopes are home to an extremely rare and Dr. Seuss–like plant: the Haleakala silversword. The bizarre, bushy, and silver-colored plants are found only here and can live for up to 90 years. Silverswords flower only once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk—and dying shortly thereafter. You’ll find them at the Haleakala summit, the Kalahaku Overlook, and along Sliding Sands Trail, a several-mile round-trip hike. 

The Vanderbilt Mansion, also known and Hyde Park and now preserved as a museum-style tribute to the Gilded Era, offers a window into American country life and the decadent lives of the country’s elite after the Civil War. The 54-room mansion fronted by Romanesque columns is one of the Hudson River region’s oldest estates, and today houses museum-like collections of more than 6,500 pieces of art, fine objects, and furnishings. Visitors can enjoy views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains during family picnics in the formal and Italian Gardens on the 211-acre grounds, and, in June, July, and August, take-in free evening concerts on the lawn.

On guided tours, visitors traipse up and down more than 100 stairs to explore period-furnished guestrooms with fireplaces on the second floor, ornate sitting rooms and the kitchen on the first floor and even the ice box in the basement. In addition to learning about the home’s former residents and lives of American elite, tours interpret the lives of its domestic staff and surrounding working class communities in the Hudson Valley.

The Hyde Park Trail connects the grounds with the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Park. The Vanderbilt Mansion was purchased by the former president for $1, and preserved within the national park system.

Up until 1819, ancient Hawaiians adhered to religious laws that were generally known as kapu. Everything in Hawaiian life—from which fish you could eat in which season to the clothes you were allowed to wear—was regulated by thousands of different kapu that carried stiff penalties if broken. Should your shadow ever have fallen on a chief, or if you failed to kneel while he was eating, it was a broken kapu punishable by death since you had disrespected the will of the gods.

Once a sacred kapu had been broken, the only way to redeem yourself was to find a puuhonua—a city of refuge where an elder or priest could cleanse you of the offending sin. Should you be found before your arrival, however, the punishment was often death.

As you can imagine, puuhonua were popular places during the days of ancient Hawaii, but a few are popular visitor attractions in this modern era of tourism. At the Puuhonua o Honaunau on the Big Island of Hawaii, the entire complex has been restored to reveal its original sacred grandeur. On a self-guided tour of the historic complex, walk around a lava rock wall that is 17 feet in width, and admire the massive wood-carved kii (tiki) that guard a sacred heiau (temple).

Once finished exploring the grounds and learning about ancient Hawaii, head next door to the black sand beach for some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii.

A drive along Yellowstone National Park’s 142-mile long (228 kilometer) Grand Loop Road takes you past most of the park’s major attractions. Cruise along the figure-eight-shaped road for a ready-made Yellowstone tour featuring Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and more, easily completed in one day or spread out over your own timeline.

Due to its exceptional length, the Grand Loop Road is divided into two parts: the Upper Loop and the Lower Loop. Break up the drive into two days to optimize your time at each attraction along the way. Highlights along the Upper Loop include Mammoth Hot Springs, the trailhead to Mount Washburn and Lamar Valley, and the Norris Geyser Basin—home to the 400-foot-tall Steamboat Geyser. The Lower Loop is more concentrated with top sights, including Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, Firehole River, and Grand Prismatic Spring. The two loops connect at Hayden Valley and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

The Grand Loop Road is accessible from all five of Yellowstone’s entrances, with the west entrance and the north entrance considered the closest and most convenient for most visitors. Because there is no public transportation inside Yellowstone, the loop is only doable by private vehicle or on a guided tour.

A seasonal attraction, the Grand Loop Road is only open in summer, with the exception of the segment between the north and northeastern entrances that stays open throughout the year. Parts of the road open in April, and the entire road is usually open by the third week in May.

Even if you're not staying in Yellowstone National Park, it's possible to visit the Grand Loop Road. Look for guided tours from Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, and more to visit with the ease of transportation and a tour guide. 

Known as the “land of giants,” Sequoia National Park is home to towering old-growth redwood trees known as sequoias—the world’s largest trees, some of which can reach heights of 275 feet (83 meters). The park’s dramatic landscape showcases thick forest, mountains, rugged foothills, canyons, and vast caverns. 

Located in Central California, Sequoia National Park (and the adjacent Kings Canyon National Park) is an ideal wilderness escape from San Francisco or Los Angeles. Wander through the giant sequoia groves on a day hike, backpack through the dense forest, explore the deep caverns of Crystal Cave, and climb the granite dome of Moro Rock. Rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, and rock climbing are also popular activities in the park. 

Sequoia National Park is located roughly 4.5 hours from San Francisco and four hours from Los Angeles by road. The visitor center is accessible via highway 198. A free shuttle provides transportation within the park. 

The park is busiest in summer, when the weather tends to be hot and sunny. During this time, opt for an early-morning or weekday visit to avoid crowds. With fewer crowds and mild temperatures, mid-September and October are the best times to visit. Portions of the park are closed during winter, but some areas are open for activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. 

It’s the giant sequoias that draw many visitors to Sequoia National Park. The General Sherman tree at the north end of Giant Forest is a definite highlight—it’s the largest living single-trunked tree on earth. The General Grant Tree is another notable giant, located in the Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park.

The Basics
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon averages 7,000 feet (2,134 meters) above sea level, with natural wonders including Navajo Point, Hermit Road, and the Abyss. Grand Canyon Village is home to a variety of historic buildings, while other popular stops include the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, the Bright Angel Lodge, Kolb Studio, and the Desert View Watchtower, which features work by Hopi artists and incorporates Native American art and design.

Choosing a group bus tour, helicopter tour, air tour, or a self-drive tour makes the South Rim conveniently accessible from Las Vegas. Tours also leave from Sedona and Phoenix, and some combine the trip with a visit to the West Rim, the North Rim, or the Hoover Dam. A Grand Canyon helicopter tour is undoubtedly the fastest and most dramatic way to visit the canyon from Vegas.

• The Canyon View Visitor Center, near the south entrance, stocks maps, books, and videos, while the Cameron Trading Post, outside the east entrance to the park, boasts a selection of souvenirs and supplies.
  
• Stop by the Hopi House Gift Store and Art Gallery to see art and crafts from the local tribes.
  
• If driving, be sure you have plenty of gas in your car before setting out for the canyon; there are few service stations in this remote part of Arizona.
  

How to Get There
Located in the Arizona national park, the South Rim is a three-hour drive from Las Vegas or a short plane ride via Grand Canyon Airport. Driving from Flagstaff, take US 180 directly to the South Rim or US 89 to Arizona 64 and the east entrance to the park.

When to Get There
The South Rim gets quite crowded with visitors in the summertime. Consider visiting in the shoulder season, or booking a South Rim bus or jeep tour so you don't have to struggle with traffic and parking.

Hiking the Grand Canyon South Rim

The Grand Canyon South Rim is home to the Bright Angel Trail, Rim Trail, and South Kaibab Trail—all of which offer the most dazzling views of the canyon. Keep your eyes open for the regal California condors, which have recently returned to the area.

Tioga Pass is the only entrance on the eastern side of Yosemite National Park. At 9,941 feet high, it is the highest point on the mountain drive and one of the most scenic in the park. Views of the surrounding forests and mountains are worth the drive alone, but if you’re after one of the park’s many hiking trails the trailheads for Gaylor Peak, Tioga Peak, and the Twenty Lake Loop are all nearby. For a less active experience, Tioga Lake offers picnic facilities and trout fishing close by.

Driving to and through the Tioga Pass is an adventure: full of tight curves and steep drop-offs. But you’ll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful views in Yosemite Valley, and once you reach the pass you’ll be in the park itself. The road through the Sierra Nevada mountain range is the highest highway pass in California.

One of Zion National Park’s most famous hikes, The Narrows are the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, with sandstone walls reaching 1,000 feet (305 meters) high and sometimes 20 feet (6 meters) across. The Virgin River flows underfoot for most of this adventurous trek—be prepared to get wet.

 

The most popular Narrows hiking route leads up the canyon from the Temple of Sinawava. Follow the mile-long (1.6-kilometer) Riverside Walk to where the paved trail ends and the real Narrows begin. For the next 4 miles (6 kilometers), slosh through the Virgin River and weave deeper and deeper into the wild. The other route begins at Chamberlain’s Ranch on the park’s northern boundary and follows the river for 16 miles (26 kilometers) down Zion Canyon.

 

Explore The Narrows independently at your own pace. It’s also possible to visit on a multi-day national parks tour from Las Vegas, which allows you to see Zion along with other American highlights, such as Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon.

 

 

The Narrows are in Zion National Park, roughly 2.6 hours by road from Las Vegas. Parking is limited inside the park, so it’s a good idea to park in Springdale and ride the free Springdale Shuttle to the park’s Pedestrian Entrance. From there, free shuttles run throughout the park.

 

Late spring and summer are the most popular times to hike The Narrows, when the water tends to be warmest and the water level is low. However, storms can cause flash floods during these seasons. During winter and early spring, the water is cold and typically high. The route can be closed during spring due to snowmelt; fall typically brings more stable weather.

 

The Virgin River carved Zion National Park’s famous white, pink, and red rock formations over time. The Narrows are just one of over a dozen major hiking trails in the park, including Angels Landing, an intense 5-mile (8-kilometer) trail that rewards hikers with sweeping views at the summit. Emerald Pools Trail is another great option, with views of multiple waterfalls and glistening pools.

One of the most well-preserved ruins in North America, the 1,000-year-old Montezuma Castle was once home to ancient farmers known as the Sinagua Indians. Although the majestic ruins were given a “castle” title, they were actually a multi-family cliff dwelling. In 1906, the site was declared one of the United States’ first national monuments.

Many visitors tour Montezuma Castle in Camp Verde on a day trip from Phoenix, Sedona, or Flagstaff. In addition to the ruins themselves, tourists should set aside a few hours to explore the museum, walk the scenic trails, and have lunch along the shore of Beaver Creek. Visitors can focus on the castle and nearby Montezuma Well, or opt for a guided tour to five Arizona national monuments in a single day, including Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well, Tuzigoot, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater National Monuments.

Montezuma Castle National Monument is located in Northern Arizona off I-17, exit 289 (about 90 minutes north of Phoenix and 45 minutes south of Flagstaff). 

The national monument is open daily throughout the year, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day. During the hot summer months, plan your visit in the early morning or early evening.

Just a few miles from the cliff dwelling sits another archaeological site worth visiting, Montezuma Well. This limestone sinkhole is believed to be the remains of the Sinagua’s irrigation system. A half-mile paved trail winds through the site, and it’s an excellent spot to observe local wildlife such as whitetail deer, muskrats, rock squirrels, and some 100 species of birds.