Montezuma Castle National Monument

11/04/2026

Join us for cultural demonstrations every weekend in November at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments!

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by learning about the enduring traditions, histories, and living cultures of Indigenous peoples whose connections to these places continue today.

Explore the full schedule of demonstrations! https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/calendar.htm and https://www.nps.gov/tuzi/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Image

10/05/2026

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day at Montezuma Castle with Hopi Artist🎨 Filmer Kewanyama! Visit October 10th and 11th from 9am to 3pm. You can view a full calendar of events and plan your next National Park adventure by downloading the NPS APP! Get it here: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm

10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

NPS Photo

10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

NPS Images

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park

08/21/2026

We're excited to invite you to Junior Ranger Day! Meet us on Sunday, August 30th from 10am-12pm at Montezuma Castle for a fun-filled morning. A ranger will help you discover how the Sinagua traded goods. Junior rangers can trade stones and beads to make their very own unique bracelet. Best of all, the event and supplies are free; general park admission fees apply—bring your whole family and join the fun! Will we see you there?

08/20/2026

08/07/2026

Join the Team!
Volunteer opportunities are available at Montezuma Castle National
Monument, Montezuma Well, and Tuzigoot National Monument.
Positions are available year-round and duties vary according to the skills and interests
of the volunteers. All volunteer positions require a dedicated hourly commitment, which
is dependent on the volunteer opportunity you are interested in. Training is provided.
Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to:
• Trail Docents
• Site Hosts
• Leading guided walks and school groups
• Assisting in the operation of visitor centers and contact stations
• Helping with bark ranger and junior ranger programs
Interested in joining us?
Please visit: volunteer.gov

04/28/2026

Join us for a spring lineup of cultural demonstrators at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments! A full list of events can be found at https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/calendar.htm and https://www.nps.gov/tuzi/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

03/26/2026

Join us at Montezuma Castle on March 28th-29th 10am-2pm for a live concert of blessing and prayers, along with dancers. You will have the opportunity to view Ryon's Hopi Katsinas that are available to visitors during this time. See you there! You can view upcoming events by visiting https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

03/10/2026

Join Us for a First-Person Historian Experience! Saturday March 21st at 11am and 1pm.

Step back in time with an engaging presentation by Kurt Skinner as President Theodore Roosevelt. Hear Roosevelt himself speak about his enduring influence on America’s parks and monuments, with special highlights on Montezuma Castle, the Antiquities Act, and his legendary service with the Rough Riders.

This lively, first-person portrayal brings history to life—perfect for visitors of all ages!

03/03/2026

Join us as we explore the remarkable legacy of Sallie Pierce Harris, a pioneering force in National Park Service archeology, anthropology, and interpretation. Saturday March 14th at 11 am.
From her early work at what is now Chaco Culture National Historical Park to her influential roles at Casa Grande Ruins, Montezuma Castle, Navajo, Tumacácori, and Wupatki, Sallie helped shape the foundation of cultural resource stewardship across the Southwest.
This presentation celebrates her life, her trailblazing career, and the lasting impact she made on the parks, the profession, and the generations who followed.

02/26/2026

Join Us for a Conversation in Archeology! Saturday March 7th at 11 am.
Discover archaeological insights of Montezuma Castle in this engaging presentation, highlighting Sinagua period construction techniques and settlement organization in the Verde Valley. Park Archeologist Lucas Hoedl will examine architectural features, material culture, and landscape context to show how residents built a lasting, multi‑room cliff dwelling while sustaining agriculture and regional trade.
Learn about recent research and preservation efforts, exploring how legacy data and modern conservation practices guide ongoing stewardship of this remarkably preserved site.