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Tonto National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Tonto National Monument is a National Park System unit in Arizona[4]. NPS lists a $10 per person entrance fee for visitors hiking to the cliff dwellings[5].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Per Person[5] | $10 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[6].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[7].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[8] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[8] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[8] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[8] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[8] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[8] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[8] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[8] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[8] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS lists the monument as open from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm year round, with separate Lower Cliff Dwelling trail hours that change by season[9]. Full closures are listed for Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1[9]. NPS also lists an early 1:45 pm closing on the day before Christmas and the day before January 1[9]. In 2025, the busiest month was March with 5,469 recreation visits[1]. July had 825 visits and August had 827[1]. NPS says summer weather can be extremely hot[10]. It also says winter weather may create hazardous roads and severe thunderstorms may close hiking trails[10].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 3,086 |
| February | 3,894 |
| March | 5,469 |
| April | 3,492 |
| May | 1,868 |
| June | 1,271 |
| July | 825 |
| August | 827 |
| September | 1,110 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 2,159 |
| December | 2,159 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS rule says pets must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet wherever pets are allowed[11]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, and each park can close more areas to pets[11]. NPS lists pets as permitted on the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail[12].
Before you go
- NPS says entrance fees here are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment[7].
- The America the Beautiful pass is accepted for entrance[6]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[8].
- Per NPS, you need a tour reservation before heading to the Upper Cliff Dwelling[5].
- Hours and fees change, so confirm them on the official NPS park page before you go.
Questions people ask
- How much does it cost to enter Tonto National Monument?
- NPS lists an entrance fee of $10 per person for anyone walking to either cliff dwelling[5]. The fee is cashless, paid by card or mobile payment[7].
- Can I use an America the Beautiful pass?
- Yes, NPS says the monument accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[6]. For example, the Senior Lifetime Pass is listed at $80[8].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 32,334, 2022: 31,504, 2023: 31,216, 2024: 30,840, 2025: 26,160. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Tonto National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument) in Arizona. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $10. National Park Service
- Tonto National Monument accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Tonto National Monument are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Tonto National Monument: Tonto National Monument is open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm all year round. The park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The park closes early at 1:45 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Tonto National Monument. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 1 things to do at Tonto National Monument: Hike the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail. Pets permitted on 1 of them (Hike the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail). National Park Service