Photo: Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Trails 2,828 ft 1.36 mi moderate Unknown Bortle 4 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail in Arizona extends 1.36 miles on moderate ground through moderate crowds. Thirty bird species and four wildflower species create pleasant scenic value during spring and fall months.

What to Pack for Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.

The conditions at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail call for specific gear — here's a tailored packing list.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

The Desert landscape around Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail makes it well suited for hiking, photography, picnicking.

The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
running — From flat paths to rolling hills, running outdoors adds variety to your routine.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.

Wildlife Safety at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.

Wildlife safety at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 25/10 reflects Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Far from city (57mi).

Danger rating: 25/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (57mi)

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (34N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

4 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake.

Western Diamondback

Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.

Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

Arizona Coral Snake

Head is blunt with a black snout.

Seek emergency medical care immediately.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

Nature at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail includes 1 tree species, 4 wildflowers, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Trees (1)

Arizona sycamore — Trunks may become massive near the base.

Wildflowers (4)

purple owl's-clover — Showy clusters blending bracts and small flowers.
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Low-growing cactus forming rounded clusters.
California poppy — Four-petaled blooms that close at night or in cool weather.
Coulter's lupine — It blooms in spring.

Shrubs (3)

Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Adapted to desert heat, this cactus stores water in thick stems and tolerates prolonged drought.
Sonoran scrub oak — The plant forms thickets in arid landscapes.

Other Plants (5)

saguaro
Buckhorn Cholla
jojoba
Panamint liveforever
ocotillo

Mammals (1)

White-tailed Deer — Bucks grow antlers annually, shedding them each winter.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage
House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn
European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks

Reptiles (7)

Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.
Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Adults commonly 3–5 feet long.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.

Amphibians (3)

Canyon Tree Frog
Red-spotted Toad
Lowland Leopard Frog

Insects (6)

Pipevine Swallowtail
Queen
Marine Blue
Gray Buckeye
Dainty Sulphur

Other Wildlife (1)

Desert Blonde Tarantula

Nature Bingo at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Black-throated Gray Warbler (bird)
White-tailed Deer (mammal)
Ornate Tree Lizard (reptile)
Canyon Tree Frog (amphibian)
saguaro (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument Climate & Sun

Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.

Expect Semi-Arid weather at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, with the most comfortable conditions from May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 64.2°F

Annual precipitation: 18.8 in

With an average annual temperature of 64.2°F and 18.8 inches of precipitation, Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 84°F, while winter lows drop to 46°F.

Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

Winter 46°

2.7"

Spring 61°

0.7"

Summer 84°

1.9"

Fall 66°

1.1"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	46°F	2.7 in
Feb	49°F	2.0 in
Mar	55°F	2.5 in
Apr	61°F	0.7 in
May	70°F	0.5 in
Jun	80°F	0.2 in
Jul	84°F	1.9 in
Aug	82°F	2.2 in
Sep	77°F	1.6 in
Oct	66°F	1.1 in
Nov	55°F	1.1 in
Dec	46°F	2.3 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.9 hours in winter to 14.4 hours in summer — a difference of 4.5 hours.

Summer: 5:13 AM – 7:35 PM

Winter: 7:21 AM – 5:17 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:21 AM, Sunset 5:17 PM Golden hour from 4:39 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:13 AM, Sunset 7:35 PM Golden hour from 6:58 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:36 AM, Sunset 6:31 PM Golden hour from 5:58 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:06 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:59 PM

Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument Trip Planning & Access

Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail.

Plan for a drive from Phoenix to reach Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail.

Nearest city: Phoenix (57 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $14.24 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 46 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (moderate).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: moderate (Significant elevation (>200ft), Unpaved surface)
Strollers: not_recommended (20/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.

Extend your visit with these nearby options — 15 destinations sit within range of Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.

Stargazing at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail benefits from Rural/suburban transition darkness — Bortle class 4 on the light pollution scale.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.

Each season reveals a different side of Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, from wildflower blooms to fall foliage.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 15 – November 5

Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen

Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: March - April

Fall peak: October - November

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument

The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.

The land around Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail has been home to Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache), Hohokam for thousands of years.

Territories

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include San Carlos, Pima.

Data from Native Land Digital

Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Early Proterozoic metamorphic rocks
Lithology: Major:{metasedimentary,metavolcanic,gneiss}
Age: Statherian

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 58
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Asbestos, Tungsten, Iron, Manganese, Zeolites, Copper, Sand and Gravel, Construction

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 120°F (1995-07-28)
Record Low: 18°F (1908-12-18)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 80
Largest Fire: Bush (193,603.9 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Pine Creek
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0.201%

Reported Phenomena

Haunted Places: 2 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 10/100

Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument Safety & Conditions

Check current conditions from these authoritative sources before you go.

Conditions change quickly outdoors. These links provide current data for the area around Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: ROOSEVELT 1 S, AZ US (0.42 mi)