The Agua Fria National Monument consists of a high elevation desert surrounding the boundary between the grass-chaparral belt and the Sonoran cactus lands.

Covering 10 x 20 miles of land, the monument only has a few signs to indicate its existence. These already include several notice boards at the beginning of its 3 dirt tracks. However, the site is rich in riparian habitat along its Agua Fria River. The river also has a deep canyon which serves as its centrepiece. Containing some of the most important prehistoric sites in the South West, there are at least 450 found within the monument.

The establishment of the monument actually aims to preserve hundreds of its ancient sites and ruins. Visitors are welcome here for camping, hiking, bird watching, and general exploration.