Montezuma Well (Montezuma Castle National Monument) — Attraction in Rimrock

Montezuma's Well National Monument We got to the monument about 10:30 am on a Tuesday morning, and what a delight, lots of parking and no crowds. The Park Ranger greeted us with a map of the area and lots of information on the short hike and many of the things to see.

Very quiet and a peaceful, and the walk around the park was totally relaxing once we got up the initial flights of stairs in the 88 degree heat. There is next to no shade on 99% of the walk so wear sunscreen, a hat, and take water with you.

There have been many improvements from several years ago when the path was dirt, and you could not see the Native America dwellings that are under the rim of the 'Well'. Today the path is mostly concrete and the dwellings are easy to see.

There is a stairway that goes down into the ‘Well’ where you may see more of the water, plants, and Native American dwellings. Not recommended if you have trouble climbing stairs.

On the walkway as you continue to circle back to the parking lot is another short but steep walkway that take you to the Hot Beaver Creek and through an area of trees. Watch for snakes and other insects.

This is part of the Montezuma's Castle National Monument, but is somewhat distant from it. You need to use I-17 exit 293 and then Beaver Creek Road for several miles to get to Montezuma Well Road. Note when Beaver Creek road turns to dirt, you turn right and then stay left to the site. There is a bathroom there, but no other facilities. Plan on one-hour for the walk and 20 minutes each way for the drive in and out from I-17.

PS. As you leave there is a small turnout on the right that you might want to stop at, as there is a walkway to a 'Pithouse' that you can visit.

We used our National Park Pass, so there was no charge for entry, thus have no idea of the entry...

Montezumas Well, which is about 11 miles from Montezumas Castle, also has nothing to do with the Aztec emperor Montezuma. Like the Castle, the Well was misnamed by Euro-Americans in the 1860s who bought into the popular belief of the day that all ruins were built by Aztecs. Once you stop being confused by the name, however, you realize that this spot is an incredible and beautiful piece of planet earth.

The literature says that the Well is a limestone sinkhole that measures 386 feet in diameter from rim to rim and keeps a near-constant volume from an underground spring, even in severe drought. The water is highly carbonated and contains high levels of arsenic. 😲 At least five endemic species can be found ONLY at this Well: a diatom (springsnail), a water scorpion, an amphipod (shrimp-like looking creature), and a unique kind of leech. Then there are the roosting bats, which were in breeding season when we were there, and so the trail down to the waterside was closed to protect them. Ruins of an ancient cliff dwelling are built into the sides of the cliff surrounding the Well. You would never know it was such a busy place just looking at it.

There is a half-mile trail around the Well and through the park, where you find the remains of a Sinaguan house. The most delightful surprise, however, was the little rock stairwell that takes you down to what looks like a fairyland but is actually Beaver Creek. Especially on a hot day, it’s an oasis in the desert that is lush and cool. Don’t pass it by - go down there and...

We came here after the Montezuma Castle monument area, which in my opinion was a complete joke. I would definitely recommend that people visit this well for a day trip. The path is mostly paved with steps that go down towards, then, out of the lake and creek area. There is a path that goes around the steps which is suitable for those needing wheelchairs or have other mobility issues. The path around still provides pretty good views of the area below.

This is definitely less commercialized than the Montezuma Castle monument area. No gift shop, typical hiking trail bathrooms-vault toilets (permanent structures without running water that store waste in a below-ground tank, or vault ),hand sanitizer instead of running water, etc. I would recommend bringing a water bottle with you, even if you don't typically never need it, especially if you're with out-of-towers'.

The park ranger here laughed when I showed him my Google maps directions, and rolled his eyes when I mentioned a Montezuma Castle Park ranger confirmed my map directions were correct.

I think he said that they "saw us coming". If coming from Montezuma Castle, Google maps takes you past the posted highway Montezuma well "exit" sign, then down an off road path.

If you choose to do any one thing for the rest of your life, please let this be it.

DO NOT FOLLOW GOOGLE MAP DIRECTIONS FROM MONTEZUMA CASTLE TO MONTEZUMA WELL!

YES EVEN WITH A RENTAL! USE THE POSTED HIGHWAY EXITS INSTEAD!

thank you for coming to...