Tonto National Monument
Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona
Hikes, Travels, & Tours
Pictures, Photos, Images, & Reviews.
George & Eve DeLange.
February 01, 2010 & January 15, 2011.
Google Map To The Center Of The Parking Lot At:
Tonto National Monument, Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona.
George & Eve DeLange.
February 01, 2010 & January 15, 2011.
Google Map To The Center Of The Parking Lot At:
Tonto National Monument, Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona.
View Larger Map
 |
| Upper Ruins, Look Between The Cactus. Tonto National Monument, Salado Ruins, Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. February 01, 2010. |
|---|
 |
| Upper Ruins, Tonto National Monument, Salado Ruins, Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. February 01, 2010. |
 |
| Upper Ruins, Tonto National Monument, Salado Ruins, Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. February 01, 2010. |
 |
| Lower Ruins, Tonto National Monument, Salado Ruins, Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. January 15, 2011. |
 |
| Lower Ruins, Tonto National Monument, Salado Ruins, Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. January 15, 2011. |
 |
| Lower Ruins, Tonto National Monument, Salado Ruins, Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. January 15, 2011. |
The Tonto National Monument contains well-preserved cliff dwellings; which were occupied by the Salado culture during the 13th, 14th, and early 15th centuries. The Salado people farmed in the Salt River Valley and supplemented their diet by hunting and gathering native wildlife and plants. The Salado were fine craftsmen, producing some of the most flamboyant polychrome pottery and intricately woven textiles to be found in the Southwest. Some of the artifacts excavated nearby are on display in the visitor center museum. The monument consists of the ruins of two cliff dwellings established by the Salado people in about 1300 AD. These southeast-facing settlements were built quite high up a steep hillside within well-protected natural caves overlooking the Tonto Basin, which is now flooded; forming the Theodore Roosevelt Lake Prior to the Theodore Roosevelt Dam; the Salt River flowed through the Basin which was therefore well irrigated and fertile. As with many of the other ancient peoples of the Southwest, the Salado appear to have abandoned their villages suddenly, early during the fifteenth century, for reasons which are not known. The Lower Ruin is reached by a paved, half mile self-guided trail which leads from the visitor center/museum quite steeply up the side of a hill. This two - floor ruin originally had 19 rooms which are quite well-preserved and visitors are permitted to walk around the inside. Originally, the only way in was by a ladder leading to an entrance to the far left side of the structure; which made the building easy to defend. The second (Upper) ruin is much larger, with 40 rooms. Visitors to this ruins must be accompanied by a ranger. Tours of the Upper Ruins need to be booked in advance. The Tonto National Monument is located near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Just off of State Highway 188 to the south. Tonto National Monument is the site of an ancient Salado village, which consists of the ruins of two cliff dwellings established by the Salado People in about 1300 AD . A Google Earth Map search marks the center of the parking lot at Tonto National Monument at about: 33o 38' 40.95" N 111o 06' 45.56" W. It is at about 2,789 feet elevation.
The Salado: The Salado people refers to a mixed culture that existed in the Tonto Basin of southeastern Arizona from about 1,150 AD through the mid 1,400's AD. Some think that their culture emerged from the older Hohokam Culture. Characteristics of the Salado culture include very distinctive Salado Polychrome pottery, communities within walled adobe compounds, and the burial of the dead, rather than cremation, which was typical of the Hohokam and others. The Salado were very good farmers, using very simple irrigation techniques to water their fields of corn, beans, pumpkins, amaranth, and cotton. They also hunted local game and gathered buds, leaves, and roots to supplement their diet. They also traded with other cultures that visited the area, as indicated by many archaeological finds of seashells from the Gulf of California, and even macaw feathers from Mexico. We really know very little about who the Salado were. They left no written record of their existence, no chronology of events that shaped their society. They existed as a culture that we can recognize only for a short 300 years and then for unknown reasons they disappeared. We only have a few signs of their life; in their pottery, in remnants of their fabric, in smoke stains from their cook fires, and in hand prints on their pueblo walls. Tonto National Monument & The Salado:
Tonto National Monument Today: This is one of the best maintained ruins in Arizona. They have a very well stocked gift shop and very nice museum. They have a very nice and friendly staff. The Tonto National Monument Archeological District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. Visiting Tonto National Monument:
Handicap Accessibility:
Fees & Reservations Individual Fees - $3.00 per adult - good for 7 days; children under 16 are free. Major credit cards are accepted. Scheduled walks and talks are given during the busy visitor season, January through April. Guided tours to the Upper Ruin, are available from November through April. They last for three to four hours, taking three miles for the round trip; reservations required. The trail starts at the parking lot at 2789 feet elevation and leads to the upper ruin at 3535 feet elevation. A climb of 746 feet in elevation. There are two to three tours given weekly, depending upon the staffing. The tours are limited to 15 people and often fill quickly; call for reservations early. There are African Bees in the area and the tours are cancelled when the bees become a problem. There are no additional fees for the tours. Open Daily, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. except Christmas Day. Lower Cliff Dwelling trail closes to uphill travel at 4:00 p.m. Facilities: Museum, gift shop, restrooms, drinks, snacks. Time: Plan on about an hour for your self-guided tour through the ruins, at least 15 minutes to browse through the museum and 15 minutes to watch the movie.
For more information contact:
Visitor Information:
(928) 467-2241
To Get There: Driving time from Phoenix or Scottsdale: 2 hours; from Tucson: 3 hours; from Flagstaff: 3 to 3 � hours. From Phoenix, take State Highway 60 (Superstition Freeway) east to Globe/Miami (75 miles); turn left (northwest) on State Highway 188 and drive 25 miles to Tonto National Monument. An alternate, shorter route from Phoenix is State Highway 88, also known as the Apache Trail. The trail is 47 miles long, 22 of which is a gravel road. Allow at least 2 � hours to complete the drive. We do not recommend taking the Apache Trail if you are coming for the Upper Cliff Dwelling tour. Many people make a loop drive from Phoenix to Tonto Basin via the Apache Trail and returning to the Valley via either US 60 or US 87. From Scottsdale, take State Highway 87 (Beeline Highway) north to State Highway 188 (80 miles); turn right (southeast) on 188 and drive 39 miles to Tonto National Monument. From North Phoenix, take Shea Blvd east past Fountain Hills, then take State Highway 87 (Beeline Highway) north to State Highway 188 (80 miles); turn right (southeast) on 188 and drive 39 miles to Tonto National Monument. From Tucson, take State Highway 77 north to Globe (100 miles); at intersection of 77 and State Highway 60, follow 60 through Globe to State Highway 188; turn right (northwest) on 188 and drive 25 miles to Tonto National Monument. From Flagstaff, take Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) to State Highway 87 (55 miles); turn right (south) on 87 and drive 72 miles to State Highway 188 (17 miles south of Payson); turn left on 188 (southeast) and drive 39 miles to Tonto National Monument. Climate:
Winter:
Summer
Warning: Thunderstorms frequently occur during July, August, and early September. Lightning is a real hazard, since hikers are often the tallest object on the hillside.
Spring & Fall:
Activities:
Picnicking:
Hiking Trails & Roads:
Camping & Lodging:
Lodging is available in nearby Roosevelt (8 miles), Globe/Miami (30 miles), and Payson (55 miles). The area around the Tonto National Monument also includes several designated National Wilderness Areas; including the Four Peaks, Superstition, and Salome Wilderness Areas.
|
If you are planning to visit Tonto National Monument near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. And if you are coming from outside of Arizona, you could fly into Phoenix, Arizona and then rent a car. There are many hotels and motels in both areas and if you need a place to stay; Priceline.com can arrange that for you. We have some links to Priceline.com on this page since they can arrange all of your air flights, hotels and car. In addition, you may need to purchase some outdoor camping gear and clothing. We also have some links to Altrec.com on this page since they are a good online source for any outdoor camping gear and clothing that you may need. We of course, appreciate your use of the advertising on our pages, since it helps us to keep our pages active. Your order must be placed from a link on our page for us to get credit.
|
 |  |
| Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. | Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. |
|---|---|
 |  |
| Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. | Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. |
 |  |
| Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. | Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. |
 |  |
| Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. | Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. |
 |  |
| Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. | Artifacts. Tonto National Monument Near Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. Salado Ruins. |
We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!
Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.Com
For Books, & Videos About Touring Arizona. No Obligation!
| Tonto National Monument Upper Ruins Ranger Guided Tour Photos
|
| Back To Arizona Tours Page
|
| Back To DeLange Home Page
|