| While vacationing in Sedona, Arizona you have an | | | | Montezuma's Well (still an active spring). |
| unlimited variety of day trips to the surrounding | | | | Montezuma's Well is a very unique limestone |
| areas that will both educate and spark the | | | | sinkhole with an extremely high concentration of |
| imagination of you and your family. One of my | | | | dissolved carbon dioxide You would think that |
| favorite day trips from Sedona would have to be | | | | would make this well void of any form of life, but |
| to Montezuma Castle National Monument, located | | | | that is not the case. One common amphibian you |
| at 2800 Montezuma Castle Highway in Camp | | | | can almost always catch a glimpse of is turtles. |
| Verde. This is a perfect Sedona day trip for | | | | Turtles seem to thrive in this particular |
| anyone interested in the history of Native | | | | environment. The Well itself is amazingly blue and |
| Americans in Northern Arizona, specifically the | | | | hosts unique organism that you would be hard |
| Sinagua people. Dedicated in 1906 by President | | | | pressed to find elsewhere. Relax and explore the |
| Theodore Roosevelt, Montezuma Castle gives | | | | trails, especially the trail by the Swallet Ruin that |
| you an opportunity to travel back nearly a | | | | lends shade on a hot summer day. Montezuma's |
| thousand years to a time when the Sinagua | | | | Well welcomes you to explore, but please |
| people inhabited this amazing five-story cliff | | | | remember that the Well is considered sacred by |
| dwelling. | | | | many local tribes, show respect for the |
| When I look at the dwelling I can't help but | | | | environment you are in. |
| imagine the intellect and creativity the Sinagua | | | | Tips |
| people had to be able to survive in this desert | | | | Make sure to check out the Visitor's Center |
| landscape. The Sinagua people are believed to | | | | at Montezuma Castle to view some of the |
| have lived in this area for around four hundred | | | | artifacts found at this site. The Sinagua created |
| years and then, for no apparent reason, they | | | | amazing pottery and textiles. |
| vanished. No one that I have talked to has an | | | | This is a National Monument so there is an |
| answer for their disappearance. There are a lot of | | | | entrance fee. Visit the National Park website for |
| theories and conjectures, but it still remains a | | | | details of which passes are accepted. |
| mystery to this day. | | | | Do not step off the trails. Both the |
| While you are visiting this National Monument you | | | | Black-tailed Rattlesnake and the Western |
| can take a relaxing scenic stroll on their 1/3 mile | | | | Diamondback live in this area. Although it is very |
| self guided loop. You will be overwhelmed at the | | | | unlikely that you would ever see one, due to their |
| vision of the cliff dwelling high in the limestone | | | | shyness of people, if you walk off the trail you |
| cliffs. You can feel the presence of the people | | | | are asking for an introduction. |
| that inhabited the area as you walk along the | | | | Always bring water and keep yourself |
| pathway surrounded by giant old sycamore trees | | | | hydrated in the desert climate. |
| and the flowing Beaver Creek. | | | | Wear layered clothing and shoes suitable for a |
| To finish your day trip I would suggest going | | | | day of exploring. |
| about 11 miles down the road to visit | | | | |