Tuzigoot National Monument + Taawaki Inn: A Clarkdale Itinerary Rooted in History, Art, and River Time

clarkdalearizona
6 days ago
6 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Some places invite you to do more than “see the sights.” They ask you to slow down, look closer, and feel the layers of story beneath your feet.

In Clarkdale, two standout stops make that kind of day easy to plan: Tuzigoot National Monument—a hilltop pueblo with panoramic Verde Valley views—and Taawaki Inn, a Hopi-owned boutique hotel created as a cultural sanctuary and gateway to the region. Between them? A perfect pause for nature: the Tuzigoot River Access Point, where you can stroll, sit by the water, and reset your nervous system in classic Verde River fashion.

Start with the story: Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot is one of those places that feels immediately alive—even in stone. Perched above the Verde River floodplain, the pueblo you walk through today represents centuries of community life, ingenuity, and connection. The National Park Service describes Tuzigoot as a thriving place with trade connections stretching hundreds of miles, home to several hundred people for several hundred years.

Who lived here?

The people who built Tuzigoot were part of the Sinagua cultural tradition, and the pueblo was occupied for roughly 300–400 years before it was left in the 1300s. While we can’t “replay” daily life exactly, the architecture and artifacts point to a community grounded in collaboration—rooms clustered along a ridge, shared spaces, and a deep understanding of the surrounding landscape.

Do a deep dive into Tuzigoot Human History here.

A name tied to the river

The name “Tuzigoot” was given during the 1930s excavation, derived from the Tonto Apache name Tú Digiz, commonly translated as “Crooked Water,” referring to this stretch of the Verde River.

The excavation era (and why it matters)

Tuzigoot also carries a second layer of history: preservation during the New Deal era. The major archaeological excavation happened 1933–1935, led by University of Arizona graduate students Louis Caywood and Edward Spicer, and the site became a national monument on July 25, 1939.

Don’t skip the museum

Built in 1936, the Tuzigoot museum was designed to echo the construction techniques used in the pueblo itself, and it houses artifacts found on site—small, powerful glimpses into daily life, work, and artistry.

Local tip: Do the loop first, then come back to the museum. After you’ve stood in the rooms and looked out over the valley, the exhibits hit differently.

A shift to living culture: Taawaki Inn

Just down the road from Tuzigoot, Taawaki Inn extends the story of place into the present.

Taawaki translates to “House of the Sun” in Hopi. And this hotel is more than a stay: it’s owned and operated by the Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation, created as a first-of-its-kind Hopi hotel built off the Hopi reservation—a “groundbreaking venture” designed to share Hopi culture through hospitality, design, and art.

A brief history of “why here”

Taawaki Inn’s story is intentionally tied to the land around it. The inn’s own cultural framing references Hopi migration traditions and connects this region to broader Hopi history and identity.

Design with purpose

Travel writers have noted that the hotel’s architecture echoes pueblo forms and that its setting is part of the experience—an outdoor patio with views toward Tuzigoot and the Verde Valley that’s made for sunrise coffee and sunset decompression.

Art as welcome (and as connection)

Taawaki Inn is filled with hundreds of pieces of art, all created by Hopi artists, and the inn is a place meant to help guests get acquainted with Hopi culture.

A pause between them: Tuzigoot River Access Point (Verde River time)

Here’s the piece that makes this itinerary feel like Clarkdale—not just “two stops,” but a full day that breathes.

The Tuzigoot River Access Point (RAP) is a day-use area at 15 E Tuzigoot Road and is part of the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area, with land owned by Arizona State Parks and cooperatively managed with the Town of Clarkdale.

Why it’s worth your time

A short, easy nature break between “big” experiences
A handicap-accessible path to a viewing platform overlooking the river
Space to stroll, birdwatch, journal, snack, or simply sit in the cottonwood shade (the Verde has a way of recalibrating people)

If you’re boating or kayaking

The town notes a primitive boat landing/launch area and also cautions that seasonal diversions and low flows can make boating below certain points slow and snaggy—so it’s a great spot to walk and watch the river, and to boat only when conditions make sense.

Take a piece of the story home: Gift shops and gallery finds

Tuzigoot’s Park Store

Tuzigoot’s park store is operated by Western National Parks, the nonprofit partner supporting visitor experiences and education. The store carries books, apparel, arts and crafts, maps, and other items connected to the monument’s interpretive themes.

What to look for:

A short, readable history book (great for kids or casual learners)
Regional Indigenous art/craft-inspired pieces that support interpretation and preservation
Trail and map basics if you’re expanding your Verde Valley trip

Taawaki Inn’s gallery + gift shop

Taawaki Inn features the Tsor’ovi (Place of the Bluebird) Art Gallery, which showcases authentic Hopi artwork—handcrafted pieces like Kachina dolls, textiles, and more (featured works vary). The artwork is available for purchase, giving guests a chance to take home a piece of Hopi culture while supporting artists.

The gift shop intermingles with the gallery and gives visitors a chance to take home even a small token to remind them of their day in Clarkdale. Think of it less like ‘shopping’ and more like bringing the story forward—supporting artists and preservation, and leaving with something that carries meaning.

Itinerary for your peaceful & inspired day in Clarkdale:

Morning: Tuzigoot National Monument

Start early for softer light and quieter trails
Walk the pueblo, then visit the museum and park store

Midday: Verde River reset

Head to Tuzigoot River Access Point for a stroll or sit by the viewing platform
Snack, hydrate, take a few photos, do a little “nothing”

Afternoon + evening: Check in at Taawaki Inn

Arrive, drop bags, take in the art gallery
Sunset on the patio if you can swing it
End the day with something slow: a walk, a soak, a good meal nearby, and a deep exhale

Travel notes for visiting with respect

Tuzigoot and Taawaki Inn aren’t “props” for a photo—they’re places of heritage and living culture. A few gentle reminders for your travels:

Stay on designated paths at Tuzigoot
Treat the site and museum objects as teachers, not backdrops
At Taawaki Inn, approach the art and cultural elements with curiosity and respect—read the labels, ask questions, learn something new

Whether you come for the hilltop views at Tuzigoot, the cultural immersion at Taawaki Inn, or a quiet hour beside the Verde River, this is a Clarkdale day that stays with you. Come for the history—leave with a deeper sense of place.

Entry Fees & Passes: What to Know Before You Visit