Summary: You can see the beautiful blue sky reflections in the photo of Montezuma Well to the right. The "Well" formed when the cap over an underground cavern collaped, forming this limestone "sink".

At over one and a half million gallons of water a day flow continuously, there's water to provide food and lush vegetation for area residents here surrounded by desert grasslands.

An interesting eco-system has set up here that is self sustaining, but pretty boring for local people. No big trout here, but it did provide drinking water for the residents of the cliff dwellings seen above the well.

A swallet on the east side allows water to rush out, joining the river outside.

Hohokam and Sinaguan were early residents here at the well.

Features: Besides the cliff dwellings and limestone sink, there's a pithouse on the road on the way up to the well, and an interpretive trail with native plants that makes a good loop.

Activities:
Hiking, birding.

Directions:
Montezuma Well is a detached unit of Montezuma Castle National Monument located approximately 11 miles from the park. Take Exit 293 from I-17 and drive four miles. No entrance fee is charged.

Local Towns:
Camp Verde ,  Cottonwood ,  Prescott Valley ,  Sedona