State of Arizona

While vacationing in Arizona, I have visited the Tuzigoot National Monument ruins multiple times. It is one of my favorite archaeological places to visit in the Southwest. While researching Tuzigoot, I read about the pueblo’s architectural similarity to other pueblos in the region. Structure-wise, that may be true. However, I have not seen many pueblo structures built on a hilltop or outcropping of rocks like that of Tuzigoot. The few that come to mind are Acoma Pueblo and two pueblo buildings at Wupatki National Monument (Wukoki Tower and Citadel Pueblo).

There are some wonderful examples of pottery found at the site in the visitor center. One of the pieces of pottery is the largest piece of pottery that I have ever seen. The pueblo and visitor center are a wonderful educational experience.

Of the times I have visited, visiting in the mornings or in the evenings is the best. Photos of the location get washed out in the Arizona sun overhead. If you arrive too late for a morning visit or too early for an evening visit, check out the nearby town of Jerome, Arizona. There are plenty of places to shop there, places to grab a drink, or even a bite to eat.

Brief History of the Location

The Tuzigoot National Monument ruins are situated in Clarkdale, Arizona. These ruins have significant historical value and a diverse and ancient past. The history of the Tuzigoot National Monument stretches back ten thousand years. At this time, the Verde Valley was a much cooler and wetter region than it is today.

Around 650 AD, the Sinagua people started settling in the Verde Valley. The oldest structures found in the region are partially buried dwellings known as “pithouses.” By the year 1000, the construction of multi-room pueblos had begun.

The Tuzigoot National Monument ruins are built on a limestone ridge over a hundred feet above the Verde River floodplains. Its elevated location offers clear lines of sight in every direction. Communities across the landscape were connected via established networks of roads and trails. Many people in the Verde Valley built their homes near waterways and hilltops, similar to modern-day habitation. The people at Tuzigoot had trade links extending from the arid Colorado Plateau’s top to the Central American jungles and the Pacific Coast.

Tuzigoot was abandoned in the 1300s. The pueblo stood for centuries, slowly weathering under the sun and infrequent rains. In the early 1900s, most of the walls of the pueblo had collapsed.

If this article interests you, read about other state and national parks I have visited in Arizona. Or check out other articles related to the Indigenous People of the Southwest or Indigenous Peoples of North America.

For more information about Tuzigoot National Monument, its days and hours of operation, as well as fees, visit nps.gov. Also visitarizona.com for other information that might improve your visit.

Location

Tuzigoot National Monument
25 Tuzigoot Rd
Clarkdale, AZ 86324

Tuzigoot National Monument is a fascinating destination that offers a unique glimpse into the history of the American Southwest. Visitors can explore the multi-story dwellings, admire the impressive masonry work, and learn about the advanced agricultural practices used by these early inhabitants. The views from the top of the pueblo are breathtaking, offering a stunning panorama of the Verde Valley and the surrounding mountains. Tuzigoot National Monument offers visitors an educational experience that highlights Arizona’s interesting history.