The Lower Cliff Dwelling in spring, with yellow wildflowers and saguaros on the slope below (the park gives no date). Photo: NPS Photo · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
Tontowildflowers
At Tonto National Monument, the timing for wildflowers comes in 2 separate phases, each its own display, neither a peak: Hedgehog cactus blooms, March and April; and Saguaro blossoms, May and June. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Tonto National Monument through the year
- Mexican gold poppy blooms mid-February through May; in a good year, gold poppies cover the hillsidesFeb–May
- Hedgehog cactus blooms bright pink in March and AprilMar–Apr
- Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail: start before noon, May 4 to October 3NowMay–Oct
- White saguaro blossoms open in May and JuneMay–Jun
- Hottest months, June to August: test the pavement before hiking with a dogJun–Aug
- Upper Cliff Dwelling guided tours, weekends, November to AprilNov–Apr
- March–AprilHedgehog cactus bloomsMarch and April
- May–JuneSaguaro blossomsMay and June
This week at Tonto
Right now in Tonto · September
- Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail: start before noon, May 4 to October 3 · May–Oct
Next usual wildflowers timingHedgehog cactus blooms, March and April
Best spots around Tonto National Monument
- Lower Cliff Dwelling TrailA 1-mile round trip, about an hour, up a hillside of saguaros to the Lower Cliff Dwelling. Start before 3 p.m. from October 4 to May 3, and before noon from May 4 to October 3. The trail is fully exposed with no shade, and it can close for excessive heat, lightning, bee activity or flooding.
- Upper Cliff Dwelling TrailOnly on a ranger-led tour, Saturdays and Sundays from November to April, by reservation: 3 miles round trip with 600 feet of climbing through the Sonoran Desert, past common desert plants and lake views. Tours run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nearby
- Saguaro96 miLocal timing: often best mid-late March · starts in ~5 monthsTuShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeSlight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny, rain likelyThSunnyFrSunny, wind to 21 mphSaSunny, wind to 22 mphSuSunny, wind to 25 mphMoSunny, wind to 24 mph
- Organ Pipe Cactus152 miLocal timing: between February and April · starts in ~4 monthsTuChance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeSunnyThSunnyFrSunnySaSunnySuSunnyMoSunny
- White Sands292 miLocal timing: from around mid-April, with more flowers joining in mid-May · starts in ~7 monthsTuShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeSunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyThMostly SunnyFrSunnySaSunnySuSunnyMoMostly Sunny
- Bandelier309 mi2 separate phases, from can start blooming in March · starts in ~5 monthsTuShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyThSunny, wind to 20 mphFrSunnySaSunnySuSunnyMoSunny
Tonto in pictures
Questions people ask
When do wildflowers bloom at Tonto National Monument?
In 2 separate phases: Hedgehog cactus blooms, March and April and Saguaro blossoms, May and June. They're separate displays, not one long season, and neither is a peak.
Is it blooming in Tonto National Monument right now?
Not now: its usual wildflowers window for this year has passed. Next time: Hedgehog cactus blooms, March and April.
How much does it cost?
$10 per person 16 and older to hike to the Lower or Upper Cliff Dwelling, paid at the visitor center; an America the Beautiful pass also works. The park doesn't take cash.Source: National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Fees & Passes ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
On the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail, in the parking lot and in the picnic area, on a leash, but not in the visitor center or the cliff dwelling. Check in at the visitor center without your pet first. No pets on the Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail.Sources: National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Pets ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Upper Cliff Dwelling Guided Tours ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do I book the Upper Cliff Dwelling tour?
By phone at (928) 467-2241, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arizona time, starting October 1 for November to April tours. Book 2 to 3 months ahead; groups are capped at 6 people.Source: National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Upper Cliff Dwelling Guided Tours ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the visitor center open?
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. all year, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, when the park is closed.Source: National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Operating Hours & Seasons ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Anything to watch out for on the trail?
Bees at Tonto can be aggressive: don't swat at a single bee, and if a swarm is nearby, get into the visitor center or your car. Bring water; you can refill bottles with free spring water in the visitor center.Source: National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Your Safety ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Tonto National Monument?
Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail: a 1-mile round trip, about an hour, up a hillside of saguaros to the Lower Cliff Dwelling. Start before 3 p.m. from October 4 to May 3, and before noon from May 4 to October 3. The trail is fully exposed with no shade, and it can close for excessive heat, lightning, bee activity or flooding.; Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail: only on a ranger-led tour, Saturdays and Sundays from November to April, by reservation: 3 miles round trip with 600 feet of climbing through the Sonoran Desert, past common desert plants and lake views. Tours run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..
Are there closures or permits to know about in Tonto National Monument?
Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail: only on a ranger-led tour, Saturdays and Sundays from November to April, by reservation: 3 miles round trip with 600 feet of climbing through the Sonoran Desert, past common desert plants and lake views. Tours run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..
What is Tonto National Monument like through the year?
Hedgehog cactus blooms bright pink in March and April (Mar–Apr), White saguaro blossoms open in May and June (May–Jun), Mexican gold poppy blooms mid-February through May; in a good year, gold poppies cover the hillsides (Feb–May), Upper Cliff Dwelling guided tours, weekends, November to April (Nov–Apr), Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail: start before noon, May 4 to October 3 (May–Oct) and Hottest months, June to August: test the pavement before hiking with a dog (Jun–Aug).
How we know
National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Wildflowers (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: park data (visitor center location, photos) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Fees & Passes (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Pets (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Upper Cliff Dwelling Guided Tours (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Operating Hours & Seasons (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Tonto National Monument: Your Safety (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.