A COMMUNITY RISES
Tuzigoot was first inhabited 10,000 years ago when the Southwest was cooler and wetter. When the Sinagua moved into the area around 650 CE, they had adapted to a new climate. Their first homes on this elevated location were pithouses similar to the ones found farther south in the Sonoran Desert.
About 400 years later, they switched to constructing multi-room pueblos similar to other homes across the Southwest of that time. They started with a few rooms, expanding as needed until there were over 100 rooms. They used limestone and sandstone rocks from the hill itself, securing them with mud mortar. The building style and artifacts found around Tuzigoot give evidence of shared skills, ideas, and technology with other communities across Northern Arizona and Northwestern New Mexico.
EXPLORING THE MONUMENT
The main pueblo trail weaves through doorways and along walls that sheltered families for generations, each weathered stone and worn pathway revealing glimpses of daily life from centuries past. The path passes multiple rooms, inside a room with a reconstructed roof, and to the top of the hill.
The museum houses artifacts discovered during excavations, including tools, textiles, and pottery that tell stories of trade, creativity, and daily life. From the pueblo’s highest point, visitors can appreciate the same commanding views of the Verde Valley that made this location strategically valuable to its original inhabitants.
NATURAL WONDERS
The Verde River and the Tavasci Marsh create a riparian ecosystem that surrounds Tuzigoot. Tavasci is the largest freshwater marsh in Arizona that is connected to the Colorado River system. It came under the protection of the National Park Service as part of Tuzigoot in 2005.
Birdwatchers can see herons stalk the marsh edges and eagles soar overhead in this riparian corridor that is home to 245 bird species. It’s a designated Audobon Society Important Bird Area.
Tuzigoot is also committed to protecting natural dark skies, which is vital for the well-being of the wildlife in the riparian area, for preserving the cultural heritage of the night skies, and for extraordinary stargazing opportunities. The park is currently pursuing International Dark Sky Park certification from DarkSky International.
BEYOND TUZIGOOT
Tuzigoot’s location places it near three historic Arizona towns with unique experiences. The historic mining town of Jerome clings to the mountainside, where visitors can go on mine tours or ghost tours. In Clarkdale, the Verde Canyon Railroad takes guests on a tour of the canyon in climate-controlled luxury cars where personal charcuterie snacks and beverages are served. Themed excursions are popular throughout the year, including wine-tasting tours and stargazing tours. Cottonwood completes the trio with its historic downtown district and its place along the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Cottonwood is a certified International Dark Sky Community and hosts public star parties several times a year.
This carefully preserved pueblo offers Route 89 travelers an opportunity to connect with centuries of human history while enjoying some of Arizona’s most scenic landscapes. Whether you’re interested in archaeology, cultural history, or simply seeking remarkable scenic views, Tuzigoot National Monument delivers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Verde Valley.
