ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL PLACES TO VISIT IN SURROUNDING AREAS

Montezuma Castle National Monument

One of the best preserved prehistoric cliff dwellings in North America, administered by the National Park Service.  Also includes Montezuma Well, a natural sinkhole lake important in the Yavapai creation story.  Located north of Camp Verde, from the Middle Verde Road exit (exit 289) off of Interstate 17. 

nps.gov/moca

928-567-3322

Tuzigoot National Monument

A museum with an interpretive trail around a prehistoric masonry pueblo site on a hilltop near the Verde River.  From Interstate 17 near Camp Verde, turn west on State Route 188 and continue 35 miles to the visitor center near Clarkdale.

nps.gov/tuz

928-634-5564

Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum

Features archaeological exhibits on ancient, Yavapai, and Apache cultures, as well as guided tours and educational events.  385 S. Main Street, Camp Verde.

www.vvarchcenter.org

928-567-0066

V Bar V Heritage Site

The largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley, administered by the Coconino National Forest.  Open Friday thru Monday.  6750 N. Forest Ranger Road, Rimrock.

fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino

928-592-0998

Fort Verde State Historic Park

Restored buildings and exhibits at the site of a 19th century military fort, with tours and special events.  See website for directions, in the heart of Camp Verde.

azstateparks.com/fort-verde

928-569-3275

Sharlot Hall Museum

Historic buildings in downtown Prescott that feature exhibits, gardens, and special events related to regional archaeology and history.  415 W. Gurley St., Prescott.

sharlothallmuseum.org

928-445-3122

Museum of Indigenous People

Formerly known as the Smoki Museum, it includes exhibits on the prehistory and history of Native American people of the Southwest.  147 N. Arizona Ave., Prescott.

www.museumofindigenouspeople.org

928-445-1230

Black Canyon Historical Society Museum

Interpretive displays housed in the historic 1926 Schoolhouse.  Located on the grounds of the Black Canyon Heritage Park, which serves as the visitor center for the Agua Fria NM. 

33955 Old Black Canyon Highway, Black Canyon City.

blackcanyonheritagepark.org

623-374-0332

Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum

A collection of 30 historic buildings and exhibits on 90 acres southeast of Anthem. Take the Pioneer Road exit off of Interstate 17. 

pioneeraz.org

623-465-1052

Cave Creek Museum

Features exhibits and activities relating to regional archaeology and history.  6140 Skyline Drive, Cave Creek.

www.cavecreekmuseum.org

480-488-2764

Sears-Kay Interpretive Site

A self-guided loop trail, a mile long, to a prehistoric Hohokam site on a hilltop.  Administered by the Tonto National Forest, it includes a paved parking area and picnic tables.  From the town of Carefree, travel northeast taking Cave Creek Road/Seven Springs Road/Forest Road 24 for about 14 miles to the site.

fs.usda.gov/recarea

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve

The preserve includes a museum, operated by Arizona State University, and an interpretive trail from which to view one of the largest petroglyph sites in the Phoenix area.  Located at the north edge of Phoenix at 3711 W. Deer Valley Road.

https://shesc.asu.edu/dvpp

623-582-8007