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Tonto National Monument

Seven hundred years ago, the Salado people took up residence in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona's Gila County. Although this area lies in an arid habitat on the northeastern end of the Sonoran Desert, the Salt River that runs through it has provided a rare yet welcome water source throughout. That's the backbone of the cliff dwellings, and people lived there while farming in the river valley and hunting and gathering native plants to supplement their diet. Tonto National Monument unearths the Salado culture by showcasing the cliff dwellings that the people built. Woven cotton cloths, colorful pottery, and various artifacts tell the story of the people who utilized desert resources to live and thrive. The national monument is a must-visit if you love a good historical story as it'll let you into the lives of the ancestral Salado people who were excellent craftsmen.

Things to Do

Things To Do Near Tonto National Monument

The Tonto National Monument has various sites and activities that'll let you explore the ancestral Salado people's culture. You can keep up with your history at the visitor center's museum or check out the artifacts on display for educational purposes. An RV trip is a classic way of visiting the site, and it also makes it simple to tour nearby locations such as Theodore Roosevelt Lake, which has fishing and hiking grounds.

Hiking Trails

Sightseeing

Museums

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

map-marker-alt-regular How to Get There

How To Get To Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument lies off Arizona State Highway 188 to the southeast. If you're driving from the Phoenix metro area, take the I-10 east for about 1.6 miles. Get on the 87 north, and head toward Payson for about 72.7 miles. Take a right on State Highway 188, which heads southeast, and drive on this road for approximately 35.9 miles to get to your destination in Roosevelt. The Tonto National Monument will be on your right.

Address

26260 N. AZ Hwy 188, Roosevelt, AZ 85545

Fee: Entry fee (per person, age 16+) $10.0

Entry is free for children 15 years and below, U.S. residents with permanent disabilities, and on-duty military personnel and their families.

While the Salado departed the Tonto Basin between the early and mid-1400s, the cliff dwellings left behind clearly tell a tale of this vibrant and unique society. That's why the Tonto National Monument was developed in 1907 — to preserve and protect the dwellings of the ancestral community. An RV visit to this popular tourist destination will let you camp and tour the area easily.