"Sunset Crater Volcano from O'leary" by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
![]() | Walnut Canyon / Wupatki / Sunset Crater VolcanoGuide 2016 |
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National Park Service
U. S. Department of the Interior
Flagstaff Area National Monuments
Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater Volcano
Ancient Times
Experience the Cultural Legacy and Natural Environment of
Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments
View of the San Francisco Peaks
from Wukoki Pueblo, Wupatki
NPS Photo
Follow the rock ledges and cliff dwellings down into Walnut Canyon,
gaze across the grasslands and puebloan structures at Wupatki, and
witness the aftermath of the eruption that formed Sunset Crater Volcano.
Cultural Legacy
People have found ways to live here for
thousands of years, discovering new methods
of building homes, growing food, and trading
for goods. The eruption of Sunset Crater
Volcano changed the lives of everyone who
witnessed the event and influenced settlement
at Walnut Canyon and Wupatki.
Welcome!
The scent of blooming cliffrose greets you
during the climb out of Walnut Canyon on
the Island Trail. Your eyes blink against
the glittering contrast of snow blanketing
Sunset Crater Volcano’s black basalt
flows. At Wupatki, a raven’s cackling
calls and wing beats break the silence
surrounding red sandstone pueblos.
Named after the walnut trees found within,
Walnut Canyon is better known for the cliff
dwellings built into ledges along the canyon
walls. Builders selected spots warmed by the
low winter sun, protected from snow and rain,
and shaded on summer days. With water in
Walnut Creek, land for farming on the canyon
rim, native plants to collect, and animals
to hunt, the ancestral Puebloan people had
everything they needed.
Welcome to Flagstaff Area National
Monuments, places that will delight
your senses and challenge your mind to
consider everything from violent geologic
processes to the struggle of finding water
in an arid landscape.
At Wupatki, builders chose the open grassland
and expansive horizons of the Wupatki
Basin, constructing homes of stone and mud.
Communities were comprised of farmers,
cultivating corn, beans, and squash. Wupatki
Pueblo had the greatest population. Located
at the crossroads of several cultures, it was a
regional center for trade.
Each of the monuments is unique, but all
three share a cultural legacy, including
their ownership by all Americans as
part of the National Park System. Come
and enjoy them. They are yours. This
newspaper, the Ancient Times, can
help you decide how to create your own
experiences at the Flagstaff Area National
Monuments during any season of the
year.
Sunset Crater Volcano is part of the legends,
landscape, history, and culture of several
American Indian tribes. Life profoundly
changed for those present when the volcano
erupted. Some left because survival seemed
impossible. Others saw the eruption as
a signal to migrate. Some chose to stay,
building new homes and learning to farm a
cinder-covered landscape.
We’re waiting for you!
Kayci Cook Collins
Superintendent
Flagstaff Area National Monuments
NPS Graphic
Natural Environment
From sandstone and limestone revealing
ancient sand dunes and seas, to rugged
lava flows created by violent forces in the
earth, the landscapes of all three national
monuments have been shaped by weather,
water, and time.
At Walnut Canyon plant communities overlap,
bringing together species usually separated
by elevation, creating a rare concentration
of biodiversity. The Sinagua people found a
wide array of native plants to harvest along
every curve of the canyon.
Without domestic grazing, the grasslands of
Wupatki once again provide habitat for the
same plants and animals harvested and hunted
by the ancestral Puebloan people who lived
under the endless blue skies.
Sunset Crater Volcano provides an
unparalleled opportunity to study the
dynamics of eruption, change, and recovery
in an arid climate. The dramatic landscape is
also home to a mix of species adapted to life
on and around the young volcanic terrain.
By visiting Walnut Canyon, Wupatki and
Sunset Crater Volcano and gazing across
their visually striking landscapes, you may
better understand the lives of those who came
before, learning from their ingenuity and
achievements.
What’s Inside
2-3....General Information
4-5....Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano
6.......Walnut Canyon
7.......Programs
8.......Getting Involved
Published August 2016
2
GENERAL INFORMATION
Walnut Canyon cliff dwellings, NPS Photo
Contact Information
Flagstaff Area National Monuments
Park Headquarters
6400 N. Hwy 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone: (928) 526-1157
Fax: (928) 526-4259
Email: FLAG_Information@nps.gov
Walnut Canyon National Monument
3 Walnut Canyon Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
www.nps.gov/waca
(928) 526-3367
Wupatki National Monument
25137 N Wupatki Loop Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
www.nps.gov/wupa
(928) 679-2365
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
6082 Sunset Crater Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
www.nps.gov/sucr
(928) 526-0502
Entrance Fees
7-day Passes
Walnut Canyon: per person (adults 16+)........$8
Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki:
per vehicle..........$20, motorcycle..........$15
bicycle/pedestrian..........$10
Annual Passes
Flagstaff Area Monuments Annual Pass....$40
Interagency Annual Pass...........................$80
Interagency Military Pass.........................Free
(for current military personnel and dependents)
Every Kid in a Park (4th Grade Pass)......Free
Lifetime Passes
Interagency Senior Pass...........................$10
(for U.S. Citizens or permanent residents 62+)
Interagency Access Pass.........................Free
(for U.S. Citizens or permanent residents with
permanent disability)
Lodging and Camping
Directions
Overnight lodging is not available within the
monuments but can be found in Flagstaff.
For more information contact the Flagstaff
Visitors Bureau at (800) 842-7293 or visit
www.flagstaffarizona.org.
Walnut Canyon
From Flagstaff, take I-40 East, 7.5 miles (12
km) to Exit 204. Drive 3 miles (5 km) south
to the visitor center.
Note: The parking area has a tight turn-around
for towed vehicles; 40 ft (12 m) maximum
length is recommended.
Camping is not allowed within the
monuments. Bonito Campground, operated
by the U.S. Forest Service, is located at
the entrance to Sunset Crater Volcano.
This campground is open May to October.
Facilities include running water and
restrooms. Showers and trailer hookups are
NOT available. Maximum length for vehicles
is 40 ft (12 m). For more information contact
the U.S. Forest Service at (928) 526-0866 or
visit www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
Pets
Pets are not allowed in buildings or on park
trails. Pets may be exercised in parking areas
and must be kept on a leash at all times.
Please clean up after your pet.
Note: The summer heat is intense. Pets left in
vehicles, even for a few minutes, can suffer
heat stroke and die. Please do not leave pets
unattended.
Services
Food service and gas stations are not available
within the monuments but can be found in
Flagstaff and Cameron.
Picnic tables are available at all three
monument visitor centers, as well as several
locations within each monument. Please
check the park map for locations.
Other Passes Honored
Golden Age and Golden Access
Park Hours of Operation
Visitor centers are open everyday from
9:00am to 5:00pm Mountain Standard Time
(MST), closed only on December 25. Summer
hours at Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater
Volcano are 8:00am to 5:00pm MST. Wupatki
remains 9:00am to 5:00pm MST year-round.
Note: Arizona does not observe Daylight
Savings Time (DST) and is on MST yearround. An exception is the Navajo Nation,
which observes DST.
Sunset Crater Volcano, NPS Photo
Wupatki Pueblo, NPS Photo
Indian Paintbrush, NPS Photo
Sunset Crater Volcano
From Flagstaff, take U.S. Highway 89 North
for 14 miles (23 km). Turn east onto the
Sunset Crater Volcano-Wupatki National
Monument road. Continue 2 miles (3 km) to
the visitor center.
Wupatki
From Cameron, take U.S. Highway 89 South
20 miles (32 km). Turn west onto the Wupatki
National Monument road. Continue 14 miles
(23 km) to the visitor center.
From Flagstaff, travel the scenic loop road
from Sunset Crater Volcano.
Scenic Loop Road
Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki are
located along a 35 mile (56 km) scenic loop
road that travels through Ponderosa pine
forests, open meadows, pinyon-juniper
forests, and grassland. Enjoy views of the San
Francisco Volcanic Field, Painted Desert, and
the mesas of the Wupatki Basin. From U.S.
Highway 89 use the north or south entrance.
3
Weather and Climate
Safety Tips
Expect variable weather conditions. Short
afternoon thunderstorms are common July
through September. Expect high winds from
March through May.
In case of emergency, call 911 or contact any park ranger.
Summer daytime temperatures can exceed
1000F (370C) at Wupatki.
Heavy snowfall is common throughout the
winter at Sunset Crater Volcano and Walnut
Canyon.
Accessibility
Walnut Canyon
A portion of the Rim Trail is accessible. The
visitor center has accessible restrooms and
chair lifts within the main building.
Wupatki
The visitor center and portions of the
Wupatki, Wukoki, and Nalakihu Trails are
accessible. Accessible restrooms are available
at the visitor center and Lomaki Pueblo.
Sunset Crater Volcano
The Bonito Vista Trail and a portion of the
Lava Flow Trail are accessible.
Accessible restrooms are available at the
visitor center and the Lava Flow Trail.
Historic Ranger Cabin, Walnut Canyon, NPS Photo
Drive Safely
Drive slowly, enjoy the scenery, and watch for bicyclists and wildlife on the road. Be especially
careful at dawn and dusk, when animals are most active. Seat belts are required by law; so
buckle up. For your safety and the safety of others, vehicles and bicycles must remain on
designated public roadways. Always use marked parking areas, and never stop in the roadway.
Wildlife
Wildlife in the monuments is protected by federal law. Keep a safe distance and do not approach
or feed animals. Rattlesnakes are active in summer months, so use caution on trails. Hunting in
the monuments is prohibited.
Avoid Lightning
Lightning is common to northern Arizona in summer months. Avoid danger by seeking shelter in
vehicles or buildings during thunderstorms. Avoid trees and open areas.
Be Careful With Fire
Discard cigarettes only in ashtrays and never along roads or trails. Protect yourself and your
public lands by obeying periodic fire restrictions and closures.
Hydrate
Elevations range from 5,000 to 7,000 ft (1,524 to 2,134 m), where the air is thinner and drier.
Prevent dehydration by drinking water throughout the day. Water is available during summer
months at all three visitor centers.
Trails and Hiking
Stay on designated trails. Bicycles are not allowed on any park trails. Respect prehistoric
structures by not climbing on them. All plants, animals, and archeological artifacts are protected,
with substantial fines (starting at $250) and/or imprisonment for damage or removal.
Archeology crew at Wupatki, NPS Photo
Bonito Vista Trail, Sunset Crater Volcano, NPS Photo
Your Dollars at Work
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allows the Flagstaff Area National Monuments
to keep 100% of the entrance fees collected at Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater
Volcano. These funds are used for projects that directly impact visitor safety and enjoyment.
Boundary Fence, Walnut Canyon, NPS Photo
Going Green
The Flagstaff Area National Monuments
are committed to continued improvement
in protecting and preserving the natural and
cultural resources through environmental
education, environmental compliance,
pollution prevention, stewardship, and
sustainability. You can help us!
•
•
Use recycling containers
at the visitor centers
for paper, plastic, and
aluminum.
Bring refillable water
bottles and refill at the
visitor center water filling
stations.
Walnut Canyon
The historic Ranger Cabin, the monument’s first visitor center, residence, and museum has
been rehabilitated to preserve its unique craftsmanship and allow limited public visitation.
Discovery Hikes (see page 7) during the summer include tours of the cabin, opening its
history to the public.
The one-mile long “worm rail” style boundary fence, constructed by the Civilian Conservation
Corps from 1940-1941, has been restored to its original appearance using over 2,000
Ponderosa pine rails that were peeled, split, and covered with preservative then connected with
wire and nails. The fence can be seen along U.S. Forest Service Road 303.
Wupatki
Stabilization work at archeological sites maintains and preserves the current status of
structures and allows visitors a glimpse into the life of early people. Many sites are open for
public visitation or through Discovery Hikes (see page 7).
Sunset Crater Volcano
Trail work completed includes a fully accessible section along the Lava Flow Trail, the
accessible Bonito Vista Trail, and a new route for the Lenox Crater Trail.
And...
As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, all three visitor center restrooms
have been retrofitted with low flow sinks and toilets, as well as hand dryers.
4
WUPATKI AND SUNSET CRATER VOLCANO
Plan Your Trip
Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano provide
oppportunities for hiking, learning, and the
exploration of a variety of archeological
and natural landscapes and features. We
recommend that you travel the scenic loop
road and visit both monuments, experiencing
the dramatic change in landscape from the
high elevation Ponderosa pine forests to the
lower elevation grasslands, as well as the
volcanic features found in both.
1-2 hours:
Spend a few minutes in each visitor center
for orientation and an overview of park
resources.
Walk the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater
Volcano.
Enjoy a scenic view of Wupatki Pueblo
from behind the Wupatki Visitor Center.
Enjoy views along the scenic loop road.
if you have
•
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•
7
6
4
5
3-4 hours:
Explore exhibits in the museum at each
visitor center.
Watch the 20 minute park film at the
Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center.
Walk the Lava Flow Trail. A detailed
trail guide is available for purchase at the
Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center.
Stop at the Painted Desert Vista for a
scenic view.
Walk the Wupatki Pueblo Trail. A detailed
trail guide is available for purchase at the
Wupatki Visitor Center.
Attend a Ranger Program, if available.
Enjoy views along the scenic loop road.
if you have
•
•
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•
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•
if you have
4 or more hours, or if you are
visiting for a second time:
In addition to the above suggestions,
• Walk the Lenox Crater Trail. This is a
strenuous hike, so be prepared.
• Visit Wukoki, Citadel, Nalakihu, and
Lomaki Pueblos.
• Take time to sit in a quiet spot and
contemplate the lives of the ancestral
people. Imagine the intensity of Sunset
Crater Volcano’s formation and the silence
that would have followed.
If you want to further explore the Flagstaff
Area National Monuments, sign up for one or
more of the Discovery Hikes. See page 7.
Don’t forget the Roving Rangers program for
guided hikes and campground presentations in
the monuments and Coconino National Forest
during the summer months. See page 7.
2
1
Aspens, Sunset Crater Volcano, NPS Photo
3
5
What to See
7
Lomaki, NPS Photo
6
Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos, NPS Photo
5
Wupatki Pueblo, NPS Photo
Wupatki
Sunset Crater Volcano
What It’s All About
What It’s All About
established
established
December 9, 1924
May 26, 1930
Life at Wupatki revolved around growing
corn, praying for rain, and finding ways for
people with diverse backgrounds to live
together as a community.
Sunset Crater Volcano is the most recent
event in a dynamic geologic story, one that
encompasses the 3,000 square mile (7,800
square km) San Francisco Volcanic Field. At
about 900 years old, this geologic infant has
impacted people, reshaping life and the land.
Families and communities learned to
cooperate. Perhaps one day was spent
grinding corn for the household, the next
grinding for relatives, and the next grinding
for others in the community. In difficult
times, cooperation may have broken down.
Competition and friction over dwindling food
stores may have forced families to move on.
Prized possessions might have included
scarlet macaws brought from tropical areas to
the south. Traders may have returned home
with elaborately woven and dyed cotton
sashes. Pottery, shell jewelry, copper bells,
and turquoise were precious items that would
accompany the owner into the afterlife.
Today you can gaze out an 800 year old
pueblo window, framing a landscape offering
little food, water, or comfort. It is much the
same view as seen by the original builders.
For their descendants, each empty pueblo
is evidence of places they occupied through
their migration aross the Southwest.
Explorers marveled at the unusual terrain.
Early tourists explored the lava flow and
cave, taking ice for their coolers and rocks
for their mantles. Miners, ranchers, loggers,
and treasure seekers all took their toll on the
volcanic field. Even after protection in 1930,
thousands of visitors caused such severe
erosion that the trail to the top of the crater
was closed. Today, this cinder cone still stands
while nearby cinder quarries and housing
developments remove neighboring volcanos.
Volcanoes remind us of beginnings and
perseverance. When a volcano erupts, life is
destroyed and new life seems marginal on the
jagged lava surface. But a slender penstemon
flower now stands radiant against the black
rock, its species unique to this rugged terrain.
Ponderosa pines, stunted from growth in
harsh conditions, offer habitat for squirrels
and shade for visitors. Lichen adds color to
the landscape, slowly converting rock to soil.
Destruction results in renewal.
Trails
4
Please stay on the established trails. Do not
climb on prehistoric walls. Leave artifacts
and features as you find them.
Please stay on the established trails. Do not
climb on fragile volcanic features. Leave
artifacts and features as you find them. Trails
may close temporarily in winter for snow
removal.
Wupatki Pueblo Trail
Once a regional center for trade, this 104
room pueblo features a ballcourt and unique
geologic blowhole.
distance: 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip
time: 1 hour
difficulty: Easy
Lava Flow Trail
Explore the Bonito Lava Flow and numerous
volcanic features while walking at the base of
Sunset Crater Volcano.
distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip
time: 1 hour
difficulty: Easy, first 0.25 mile (0.5 km) is
accessible.
Wukoki Pueblo Trail
Built on a sandstone outcrop, this pueblo is
unique for its structure and location.
distance: 0.2 mile (0.3 km) each
time: 15 minutes
difficulty: Easy, first 0.1 mile (0.2 km) is
accessible.
Bonito Vista Trail
Walk across a field of cinders on this paved
trail for an expansive view of the Bonito Lava
Flow and surrounding cinder cones.
distance: 0.3 mile (0.5 km) round-trip
time: 20 minutes
difficulty: Easy, accessible
Nalakihu and Citadel Pueblos Trail
Walk up the hill past Nalakihu to Citadel
Pueblo and enjoy 360 degree views of the
surrounding landscape.
distance: 0.2 mile (0.3 km)
time: 15 minutes
difficulty: Easy, trail section to Nalakihu is
accessible.
A’a Trail
Observe jagged blocks of rough A’a basaltic
lava, formed as the Bonito Lava Flow cooled
over 900 years ago.
distance: 0.2 mile (0.3 km) round-trip
time: 15 minutes
difficulty: Easy
Wukoki Pueblo, NPS Photo
3
Lava Flow Trail, NPS Photo
2
A’a Trail, NPS Photo
1
San Francisco Peaks from Lenox Crater Trail, NPS Photo
Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos Trail
Built on the edge of a small canyon, the Box
Canyon and Lomaki Pueblos unite the human
and geologic story of the Wupatki Basin.
distance: 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip
time: 30 minutes
difficulty: Easy
Lenox Crater Trail
Walk in a ponderosa pine forest while viewing
Sunset Crater Volcano, the Bonito Lava
Flow, O’Leary Peak, and from the summit,
expansive views of the San Francisco Peaks.
distance: 1.6 miles (2.6 km) round-trip
time: 1.5 hours
difficulty: Strenuous
6
WALNUT CANYON
Plan Your Trip
What It’s All About
Trails
Walnut Canyon provides oppportunities for
hiking, learning, and relaxation.
established
Please stay on the established trails. Do not
climb on prehistoric walls. Do not remove
or disturb any features. Trails may close
temporarily in winter for snow removal.
1 hour:
Walk the Island Trail and explore the
prehistoric cliff dwellings.
if you have
•
OR
• Walk out onto the back patio and down to
the first overlook on the Island Trail.
• Explore the museum in the visitor center.
• Watch the 20 minute park film.
• Walk a loop to the first canyon overlook
platform on the Rim Trail and then around
to the excavated pueblo and pithouse site.
2 or more hours:
Explore the museum in the visitor center.
Watch the 20 minute park film.
Walk the Island Trail and explore the
prehistoric cliff dwellings.
Walk the Rim Trail and search for
additional cliff dwellings in the canyon.
Take time to sit in a quiet spot within
the canyon or along its rim. Listen to the
birds. Feel the wind. Imagine the lives
of the ancestral people in this unique
environment.
November 30, 1915
Today Walnut Canyon resonates with
birdsong, but once the canyon knew other
songs: the rhythmic beat of a stone axe, the
soft voice of an aged storyteller, children’s
laughter echoing off the rocks.
Water flowing along the canyon floor was
the lifeblood of the community. Accessing
Walnut Creek once required confidence,
agility, and strength. With time, use, and a
little maintenance, these narrow paths were
widened and became safer.
if you have
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Deer and bighorn sheep yielded warm
clothing, materials for tools, and valuable
protein. Located in shallow drainages that
caught runoff after rains, pockets of soil
on the canyon rim provided plots for corn,
beans, and squash. In good years, there was
plenty of food for all. In times of hardship,
there was a stronger reliance on stores of
food. Cooperation and generosity united the
community.
Life continued here for over one hundred
years. Children were born, matured into
adults, and raised children of their own.
Eventually the people moved on, leaving a
legacy of their life within the canyon walls.
With the construction of the railroad through
Flagstaff in the 1880s, scores of pot hunters
streamed into the canyon. Armed with shovels
and dynamite, these souvenir seekers removed
a great wealth of cultural material. Protection
as a national monument in 1915 ended the
looting.
Island Trail
More than 700 years ago Walnut Canyon
echoed with the sounds of a lively puebloan
community. The Island Trail leads you back
in time, into the world of the Sinagua. You
will see 24 cliff dwellings along the trail, with
more visible across the canyon.
distance: 0.9 mile (1.5 km) round-trip
time: 1 hour
difficulty: Strenuous. The trail descends 185
vertical feet (56 m) into the canyon, including
273 stair steps to the start of the loop trail.
notes:
• Entry to the Island Trail closes at 4:00pm.
• Caution: Hand railings do not extend the
length of the entire trail. For safety, please
follow loop trail directional signs.
Rim Trail
Following the canyon rim, look down into
Walnut Canyon and spot cliff dwellings under
every overhang. The Rim Trail includes two
canyon overlook platforms and an excavated
pithouse and pueblo.
distance: 0.7 mile (1.1 km) round-trip
time: 30 minutes
difficulty: Easy, paved
notes:
• Entry to the Rim Trail closes at 4:30pm.
The future of Walnut Canyon is in your hands.
With the cooperation of visitors, this intimate
canyon will educate and inspire for many
generations to come.
Walnut Canyon, NPS Photo
Early visitors at Walnut Canyon
7
PROGRAMS
Junior Ranger Swearing In, NPS Photo
School Group at Walnut Canyon, NPS Photo
Roving Rangers Program, NPS Photo
Junior Rangers
For Teachers
Roving Rangers
explore, learn, and protect
Step inside the open books of Walnut Canyon,
Wupatki, and Sunset Crater Volcano to learn
about human relationships within unique
landscapes. From canyons to volcanoes to
desert-like environments, we invite you to go
on an educational quest with us.
Roving Rangers is a partnership of National
Park Service and U.S. Forest Service staff.
Through free programs provided in and
around the Flagstaff area, Roving Rangers
bring understanding and inspiration to all
ages, provoking citizens of the world to
cherish nature and act to preserve natural and
cultural resources.
Children of all ages can pick up a free
Junior Ranger booklet at any of the three
monument visitor centers. Families explore
the monument together, learn something new,
and protect the natural and cultural resources
around them. Once the required activities
are complete, children turn the booklet in
and receive an official Junior Ranger badge.
Junior Ranger patches are also available for
purchase through the Western National Parks
Association bookstores located within each
visitor center.
From home, check out the WebRangers
program at www.nps.gov/webrangers and
explore a variety of national parks, earning a
free WebRangers patch.
•
•
•
Explore Walnut Canyon’s unique cliff
dwellings through hikes into the canyon.
Discover how Ancestral Puebloan people
searched for water in online lesson plans.
Learn about the history and mission of the
National Park Service with a park ranger
visit to the classroom.
For educational resources, including the
Educational Fee Waiver Request Form
required for field trips, visit any of the
monument websites and explore information
and lesson plans under For Teachers.
During summer months, programs are held
at three local campgrounds, an interpretive
ranger can be found at the top of the Arizona
Snowbowl Scenic Chairlift Ride, and guided
walks are conducted throughout the national
monuments and Coconino National Forest.
For more information visit www.nps.
gov/sucr/planyourvisit/local-hikes-andcampground-programs.htm.
Discovery Hikes
Discovery Hikes are offered year-round, exploring places closed to the general public.
Reservations are required, some restrictions and fees apply.
Walnut Canyon
For information and to make reservations
visit www.nps.gov/waca/planyourvisit/
interpretive_programs.htm or call
(928) 526-3367.
Wupatki
For information and to make reservations
visit www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/
guidedtours.htm or call (928) 679-2365.
Ranger Cabin, NPS Photo
pueblo hikes
canyon ledge hike
Experience the canyon and cliff dwellings
along an ancient ledge path. Strenuous, 3
hours. This hike requires walking along
narrow ledges and rocky slopes with steep
dropoffs. It is not recommended for small
children or people who have difficulty with
heights. Hikes are offered in the summer
months.
ranger cabin walk
Explore the history of the restored 1904
Ranger Cabin which served as the first
ranger residence, visitor center and museum
at Walnut Canyon. Easy, 2 hours. Hikes are
offered in the summer months.
Discover hidden archeological sites,
petroglyphs, geology, flora, and fauna of
Wupatki on one of several pueblo hikes.
Hikes are offered November through March.
They begin at the Wupatki Visitor Center, last
2-3.5 hours, and are 2-3 miles over moderate
terrain.
Ledge Dwellings, NPS Photo
crack-in-rock
This strenuous, overnight backpacking trip
covers 16 miles (26 km). Participants must
be able to carry a 30-40 lb pack. Hikes
are offered on some weekends in April
and October. Group size is limited, with
participants selected by lottery.
Window at Crack-In-Rock, NPS Photo
Ranger Programs
Ranger guided programs are offered year-round. Please inquire at any of the monument visitor centers for availability during your visit.
Walnut Canyon
ranger’s choice patio talk
These short interpretive programs take place
on the back patio of the Walnut Canyon
Visitor Center.
Wupatki
ranger’s choice patio talk
These short interpretive programs take place
under the shade awning at the Wupatki Visitor
Center.
island trail
wupatki pueblo walk
Walk along the Island Trail amongst the
ancient cliff dwellings learning about life in
Walnut Canyon. Strenuous, 1 hour.
Tour the 104 room Wupatki Pueblo learning
about its incredible past, from the ancestral
Puebloan people who built it to the early park
rangers who lived in it. Easy, 45 minutes.
Sunset Crater Volcano
lenox crater trail
Climb a volcano and enjoy views of Sunset
Crater Volcano, the Bonito Lava Flow, and the
San Francisco Peaks while learning about the
changing landscape. Strenuous, 1 hour.
lava flow trail
Walk over the Bonito Lava Flow at the base
of Sunset Crater Volcano and learn about
the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Easy, 30
minutes.
8
GETTING INVOLVED
Western National Parks Association (WNPA)
helps make the national park experience
possible for everyone.
As a nonprofit, education partner of the
National Park Service, WNPA supports 67
parks across the West, developing products,
services, and programs that enrich the visitor
experience. Since 1938 WNPA has worked
to connect new generations to parks in
meaningful ways, all with one simple goal:
create advocates who want to preserve and
protect these special places for everyone, for
all time.
National parks tell the story of America,
embodying its beauty, culture, and heritage.
WNPA helps discover, preserve, and
share that story. But the American story is
rapidly unfolding. In today’s fast-paced,
ever-changing world, WNPA is committed
to discovery: new knowledge, new
understanding, and new ways to engage with
society.
Membership dollars go toward direct aid for
our partner parks across the West. They also
help provide educational materials to park
visitors of all ages. As a thank you, WNPA
members get discounts at all WNPA Partner
Park Stores. All purchases help support parks.
Thank you for your support when you visit
the Flagstaff Area National Monuments!
For more information, visit wnpa.org.
The Friends of Flagstaff National Monuments
is a non-profit, partner organization formed to
support the preservation of the monuments’
natural and cultural heritage through
stewardship, public education and community
engagement. Friends also generate monetary
support through donations and fund-raising
events, facilitate new partnerships with the
National Park Service, and provide expertise.
For more information and to receive the
digital newsletter, send an email to
friendsofthemonuments@msn.com.
Volunteers of all ages can contribute time
and expertise by assisting monument staff in
achieving the National Park Service mission.
Eradicating non-native species, stabilizing
puebloan structures, working at the visitor
centers, and conducting programs are only
some of the ways volunteers can help. Full or
part time positions are available throughout
the year. Housing or RV pads with hook-ups
may be available.
For more information, contact a park
ranger at one of the visitor centers, at park
headquarters, or visit
www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm.
Box Canyon Dwelling, Wupatki, NPS Photo
How Do You Say That?
Some of the words you will encounter at the
Flagstaff Area National Monuments may
be a little intimidating to pronounce. Here’s
a pronunciation guide that will help you
navigate the linguistics like a pro.
The following are names of puebloan
structures at Wupatki National Monument.
Wupatki: Wuh-paht-kee
Wukoki: Wuh-ko-kee
Lomaki: Lo-mah-kee
Nalakihu: Nah-lah-kee-hoo
These are not the names the ancestral people
gave the pueblos, but names provided by their
later Hopi descendants.
A’a: Ah-ah
From the Hawaiian word for “stony rough
lava,” A’a lava is found in both Hawaii and at
Sunset Crater Volcano.
NPS Graphic
The National Park Service cares for special
places saved by the American people so that
all may experience our heritage.
Student Conservation Association
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) offers young people the chance to live and work in a national park. Its mission is
to build the next generation of conservation leaders by engaging young people in ha