Overview

Hype:

The Pithouse Ruin is located in the Montezuma Well section of the Montezuma Castle National Monument near Camp Verde, Arizona. A short paved trail leads to a shelter that covers the excavated remains of a Basketmaker III era pithouse.

Time:

Fees: Park Entrance

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Features:

Structures, Ruins, Dwellings
Interpretive Signs
Hiking Trails
Marked Trails
Road Access is Paved
Access Road is 2WD Accessible
No Restrooms
No Drinking Water

Links: https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/exploring-montezuma-well.htm

Getting There

Navigate to 34.649281, -111.758492.

Park at the pullout on the north side of the road.

Route

From the pullout, head north for 150 feet on the paved trail.

Location

Closest City or Region: Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona

Coordinates: 34.649700, -111.758724

View larger map

April 9, 2022 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Cooper Dye,

Story

As we were driving from camp to Montezuma Castle, the Parkers' SUV broke down. Tara dropped the kids and me off at Montezuma Castle and went back and picked up the Parker kids so they wouldn't have to be bored while waiting for the tow truck. I worked on the Junior Ranger books with my kids and we walked out to see the castle. Then when Tara got there with the Parker kids, the two us us took a van full of kids over to Montezuma Well. Then Tara went back to Montezuma Castle to fetch the rest of the kids. Tara had seen the sights a few years ago and I never had, so I got to do the hikes with the kids while Tara did most of the shuttling. The kids and I hiked around the well and Tara ended up taking the Parker kids back to their tow truck instead of to the well. We all visited the lower outlet then the pithouse, then we started the long drive home.