Tuzigoot National Monument Visitor Center — Attraction in Cottonwood

Saw this on the way to the Clarkdale train ride - very close to the train depot. Tuzigoot was discoved as a mound of rocks and excavacted carefully to its current status. The parts that are there were repaired with a concrete mortar and the native mortar which lasts longer. Always deteriorating. You see the base rooms which had walls and a scuttle in the roofs for entry and exiting with ladders. Visitors center has roof similar to the way it woyld have looked originally. Also used ladders to go up outside walls. Interestingly, only one door in the whole complex. Would be nice to finish off a couple of rooms. I can't imagine it would be that hard or costly. ...

I love these old, well preserved monuments and museums that are testimony to civilizations long before us. It's hard to imagine such small living quarters when houses today are so much more luxurious. The views and historical plaques make visualizing what they may have seen really interesting. The museum houses many artifacts from the ruins. Pretty incredible that they had so many different textiles that made it through the decades. BONUS: Entry gets you into Montezuma's Castle as well and you are a short drive to Jerome...

Tuzigoot national monument is a must see archaeological site. The NPS has done an incredible job with the partial restoration of this ancient dwelling. Although much of the history is lost, the docents and rangers are happy to share the colorful history of the people who lived and traded here in the Verde Valley. Views of the Verde river corridor, Mingus Mountain and Pecks Lake. Trails are wheelchair accessible and staff were extremely friendly. The gift shop is paired with an impressive gallery...