Montezuma Well is a natural limestone sinkhole that is fed by underground springs. Through the springs flow 1,400,000 gallons of water each day. Montezuma Castle National Monument was one of the first four sites to be designated a National Monument in 1906, along with Devils Tower, Petrified Forest (which is now a National Park), and El Morro. Montezuma Well was added to Montezuma Castle and designated a National Monument in 1947.
The site showcases and preserves cliff dewllings and pithouses dating back 1,400 years, as well as an ancient irrigation canal used to water crops. This region was inhabited by the Hohokam, and the Sinagua Indans between around 600 A.D. and the 1400s.
A 1/3 mile trail showcases several of the ruins and takes you to the waters edge inside the sinkhole. Wildlife is abundant, with many species of waterfowl making their winter home here. Trailside photography fairly easy, and overlooks provide fantastic views of the well.
The ruins can be difficult to photograph because of the wide dynamic range of the locations. The ruins are usually in shadow while the sky is very bright, making it very tricky to have detail throughout the photo (avoiding having part of the photo being totally washed out or in darkeness). With todays "digital alternatives" you can achieve a photograph that more accurately resembles reality by setting your camera up on a tripod, taking bracketed exposures (over, under, and normal exposure), and then combining the photos in an image editing program. This can allow you to capture the beautiful Arizona sky as well as the ruins without losing detail in either. This technique is especially useful at these sites since access is limited at the prime photo times (sunrise and sunset).
Montezuma Well is located in Rimrock, AZ, just a few miles North of Camp Verde. To get there take the McGuireville exit (exit 293) off of I-17. Follow Beaver Creek Rd for about 3 miles, and the monument entrance will be on the right soon after the road turns to dirt. Entrance to the park is free, and the gates are open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
