Walnut Canyon National Monument

At Walnut Canyon you will see Pueblos and cliff dwellings so well preserved it's hard to believe their builders moved on 700 years ago... Amid lava and cinder one can imagine a landscape still hot to the touch.

After visiting the prehistoric cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon, don't forget to take in the beautiful mountain scenery and geology of Sunset Crater Volcano, and the painted desert landscape and masonry pueblos of Wupatki National Monument.

Arizona does not observe daylight savings. You are on Mountain Standard Time. Leave Flagstaff with a full tank of gas and food as there are no services at the monuments.

A Culture in Harmony with Nature

Prehistoric American Indians had a way of knowing, thinking, and being on this land. To survive and grow they had to be part of the natural cycles, allowing sun, water, and earth to influence their culture preserved at Wupatki, Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments.

These areas differ in elevation, climate, geology, plant and animal life. For early inhabitants each area offered a distinct advantage..

Before the eruption of Sunset Crater Volcano in A.D. 1064, natives of the region lived in pit houses and farmed the open meadows. It appears they sensed the impending eruption, relocating to settlements in Wupatki, Walnut Canyon, and the Verde Valley.

Those who moved to Walnut Canyon took advantage of ledges in the canyon that formed natural shelters, three walls of Kaibab Limestone masonry completed a room. Most cliff dwellings were built facing south and east for solar heating. A cliff home was inaccessible to outsider, it was a natural fortress.

At Wupatki, ancient washes exposed layers of red Moenkopi sandstone, an ideal building material. The uniform slabs arranged in an orderly stack, reinforced with mud mortar, made beautifully built pueblos. The pueblos were constructed on existing rock outcrops, isolated by erosion and providing an encompassing view of the surrounding land.

At each area, springs, rainfall, and intermittent streams offered a precious source of drinking water. Corn, beans, and squash were planted along the washes and placed on terraced slopes to take advantage of rain runoff. Check dams also helped ensure crop success.

To many, this land seems inhospitable today - arid, rocky, inaccessible. But, the prehistoric cultures used what it offered to their advantage to survive and leave behind a legacy to be admired.

The Hopi of Arizona

The descendants of the prehistoric peoples of the southwest are very much alive and thriving. The Hopi of Northern Arizona and the various Pueblo people of New Mexico have religious and cultural practices which began with prehistoric cultures.

Pueblo villages such as Old Oraibi of the Hopi, and Sky City of Acoma were built at the same time as those at Wupatki and Walnut Canyon, A.D. 1100. These are viable communities yet today. The ceremonies and tribal rituals carried on there have been practiced for centuries. Crafts like pottery making and weaving have origins deeply rooted in the past. Time brought change, but traditions and customs have lived on through the centuries.

The Hopi call their ancestors Hisatsinom, meaning "People of the past." However, in most cases archaeologists borrowed names for prehistoric cultures from Indian tribes of today. For example, Anasazi is a Dine (Navajo) name meaning "Ancient Ones" or "Ancient Enemy" and Hohokam is an Ackimal O'odham (Pima) name meaning "Those who have gone" or "all used up." In some cases names were given according to archaeological findings, for example, Sinagua is from Spanish words sin (without) and agua (water).

The pueblos found in Wupatki, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Walnut Canyon National Monuments are now part of the National Park System. But they still are scared to the modern Pueblo people. Many sites are known by name and have their place in oral history that is passed on from one generation to the next. Various Hopi clans are traced back to these sites.

When you visit ancient Indian ruins, remember these sites are an important part of modern Pueblo culture. They are a source of cultural identity and provide a bond with ancestors. Vandalism and theft of artifacts weaken these ties. We ask that you leave everything in its place.

Hiking Trails inthe Monument
The Island Trail descends 185 feet (56 meters) in to the canyon providing access to 25 cliff dwelling rooms. A strenuous 9/10 of a mile (1.4 km) round trip, it is one of the best ways to experience the park. Climbing the 240 steps back up can tax heart and lungs. Trail closes at 4 p.m. daily, 5 p.m. June, July, and August.

A fairly level 3/4mi (1.2km) Rim Trail provides canyon views and access to other ruins.

The backcountry of Walnut Canyon is closed to hiking to protect fragile archaeological sites.

Visiting the Monument
Operating Hours And Seasons:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - December, January, February
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - March, April, May
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. - June, July, August
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - September, October, November
Closed December 25

Climate, Recommended Clothing:
Be prepared for abrupt weather changes in anyseason. Expect windy conditions most of the year. Spring is usually mildbut heavy snowfall can occur. Summer days are warm with temperatures inthe eighties. Afternoon thunderstorms likely July to September. Winterdays can be cold, snow and ice can cause temporary closure of the IslandTrail.

Directions:
Leave I-40 at Exit 204, 7.5 miles (12 km) eastof Flagstaff; drive south 3 miles (5 km) to the canyon rim. Warning: Tightturn around for towed vehicles; 40 feet (12 meters) maximum length advisory.

Transportation:
To Park: by personal vehicle or tour bus. Nearestcommercial airport is located in Flagstaff, Arizona.
In Park: Personal Vehicle, biking, hiking

Accessibility
Accessible restrooms are located at the Visitor Center. Trail accessibility is limited because ofterrain. Please contact the park for more information.

Fees:
The fee is $3 per person, children 16 and younger are admitted free of charge. Golden Eagle,Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports are accepted. Commercial tour feesare charged according to vehicle capacity: 1-6 $30, 7-25 $45, 26 or more$100.

Facilities And Opportunities:
There are several picnic areas but no food orservices in the monument. No camping. U.S. Forest Service and private campgrounds are located in andaround Flagstaff. Overnight accommodations, food, supplies, and gasoline are available in Flagstaff (10mi/16km). Flagstaff Visitor Center: 1-800-842-7293.

Programs, Activities:
These programs are generally offered June, July,and August but are subject to change. Please ask as other programs maybe scheduled.

Daily Ranger Talks: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the Rim Trail Overlook, 30-45 minutes. Discover the geology, archaeology, or history of Walnut Canyon.
Ledge Hikes: Wednesday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 1 hour. This 3/4mi(1.2km), off-trail adventure starts at the visitor center and ends on the IslandTrail. Visit numerous cliff dwellings in an area otherwise closed to entryWater and hiking shoes required. Participation is limited.
Ranger Cabin Hike: Saturday at 10 a.m.. A two hour, 2mi (3.2km)journey through Walnut Canyon's past. A challenging hike with steepslopes, loose footing, and brush, to an area otherwise closed to entry.Bring water, wear long pants and hiking shoes, meet at the visitor center.Children under 8 are not permitted. Limited to 10 persons. Reservations requiredfor this hike. Call 502-526-3367.

6400 N Highway 89
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004
(928) 526-3367