Archeology, Geology and Scenic Beauty All In One - Walnut Canyon National Monument
Written: May 24 '04 (Updated May 25 '04)
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Pros: explore cliff dwellings, scenic beauty, learn geology
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: The scenic beauty of the Canyon is stunning, as is the human and geologic history that are exposed along its walls
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| jps246's Full Review: Walnut Canyon National Monument |
Mixing in some interesting hiking along canyon walls and ancient Native American cliff-dwellings, Walnut Canyon National Monument is an excellent day-long adventure for people in the Flagstaff, Arizona / Grand Canyon area.
In Walnut Canyon you’ll walk trails along the edge of a deep canyon while exploring Native American cliff-dwellings. Some of these dwellings you can climb through, while others, because of their sensitive archeological resources are closed off and can only be viewed from the trail.
Where is Walnut Canyon?
Walnut Canyon National Monument is located to the south of Interstate 40, about 8 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona. For those looking to combine a visit with other parks in the area, Sunset Crater National Monument is about 30 miles to the north, Wupatki National Monument is about 50 miles to north and Grand Canyon National Park is about 95 miles to the northwest.
The Monument focuses on Walnut Creek Canyon, a deep canyon carved by Walnut Creek. Within the cliffs of this canyon are ancient Native American cliff dwellings. Some of these dwellings are accessible by trail, while others due to their archeological sensitivity or remote location can only be viewed from the trail or from a distance.
When’s it open and how much does it cost?
Walnut Canyon is open year-round and the Visitor Center at the Monument is open daily. The Visitor Center is generally open from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon except for June, July and August when it is open until 6 in the evening and December, January and February when the Visitor Center opens at 9 in the morning and closes at 5 in the evening. The park is closed on Christmas Day (December 25th).
For day-use visitors to Walnut Canyon National Monument, a day-use fee of $5.00 per person is charged. This is good for 7-days and can be used at any of the local National Monuments (Wupatki or Sunset Crater). There are no fees for children under 16. Annual passes for the Flagstaff area Monuments are also available for $25 and $50 will get you the National Parks Pass – which gives you entry into all National Park Properties (National Parks & Monuments) for a year.
What’s there?
Walnut Canyon National Monument’s main attractions are the cliff-dwellings located throughout the face of the cliffs in Walnut Canyon. Additionally there are the scenic opportunities of the canyon itself, as it slices through the semi-arid area surrounding Flagstaff, Arizona. There are several trails of varying difficulty that travel along and down into the Canyon where hikers can get the opportunity to see the dwellings close-up. Individual backcountry hiking (and rock climbing for anyone eying those cliffs) beyond the trails is prohibited to protect archeological resources of the monument.
In addition there is an extensive exhibit hall in the Visitor Center which showcase objects found in the monument and that provide background information on the Native Americans that used to live in this area. The Visitor Center also has a bookstore with many titles on archeology, Native American history and geology, along with restrooms and a picnic area. There are no food services available in the Monument.
Rangers are available to answer questions in the Visitor Center and they also conduct interpretive tours. Various events are held throughout the months of June, July and August and there are also two ranger-guided backcountry hikes available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There is the Ledge Hike which is a more strenuous hike, while the cabin walk is an easier hike. Specific times and meeting locations for these hikes are available at the Visitor Center. Information on tours and presentations are available at the Visitor Center’s main desk.
What to expect at Walnut Canyon
Walnut Canyon is located just to the west of Flagstaff, on a high plateau. There are trees and temperatures are generally more mild than in other parts of Arizona. However, the temperatures can still range from well below freezing in the wintertime to up close to 100 degrees in the summertime. Weather also varies at the Canyon, it can snow in the wintertime and in the spring rainstorms are not unheard of and there can be thunderstorms in the summertime.
Views from the area run from the peaks of the Sunset Crater area to the north, the San Francisco Peaks to the northwest and the Canyon itself. The Canyon is about a thousand feet deep and is in of itself, a worth destination. The trails that wind themselves along the side of the canyon are not for the meek or for those afraid of heights – in places you can look down to the very bottom of the canyon.
The trails in the area go from easy walks along the edge of the Canyon to more strenuous hikes down into the Canyon and along its cliffs. You should check-in at the Visitor Center first, the review the hikes before setting out, especially the longer ones down into the Canyon proper. You should be in good shape and have proper footwear (sneakers or hiking boots) in order to go on these longer treks. Like I said, some of these trails can be intimidating for those afraid of heights – if you are afraid of heights, check with a ranger first to see if the hike is for you.
Beyond the scenic beauty of the area, visitors have a chance to get their hands on the Native American history of the region by visiting and exploring the cliff dwellings in the Canyon. Most of these dwellings along the trails are generally open to exploration – you can enter into them and look through their rooms. You can take-in the stonework and marvel and wonder on how these people even managed to get back and forth to some of their homes – considering the cliffs that some of them are built into. Other dwellings are not open to public exploration – you can glance into the windows and doorways, but otherwise cannot enter because they are still being actively investigated by archeologists.
Picnic facilities are available at the Canyon, but since no food services are available, you will need to bring your own lunch.
How much time do you need?
Walnut Canyon requires at least a ½ a day worth of time to explore. The exhibits in the Visitor Center along can take an hour or so to browse through and some of the hikes can take a few hours. For those who really want to explore the Monument, a full-day should be dedicated to the park. Then you can hike the trails and take the time to really enjoy the natural beauty and the cultural history of Walnut Canyon.
My Thoughts
I love the combination of archeology, geology and just plain gorgeous scenery at Walnut Canyon National Monument. I can’t pass up the chance to explore the ancient cliff dwellings or the geology exposed by the deep cleft of the Canyon. Even the biology of the park is interesting – species from areas generally far apart are right there together at the Monument – from the mountain firs along the rim to cacti deep in the Canyon. My only regret is that not more of the monument is open for hiking and exploration – but I understand the reasoning. People would inevitably end up destroying and removing the rich archeological treasures located in the Monument.
I’ve been to the park twice and both times the highlight of the trip is the chance to climb down into the Canyon along the trails and have that chance to experience the cliff-dwellings. It’s amazing to ponder what life was like almost a thousand years ago for the inhabitants of the Canyon.
Some history and interesting Facts
When you are exploring Walnut Canyon, you are walking in the footsteps of the people that lived there over 900 years ago. The Sinagua people built their homes under the rock overhangs in the Canyon and these dwellings were occupied from about 1100 to 1250.
Beyond the human history and story, the Canyon is an excellent place to see see millions of years of Earth’s history in the geology of the rocks of the Canyon. You can also listen to the canyon wren and enjoy the turkey vultures soaring above. And if you look closely, you may even see an elk or a javelina along the Canyon walls. Walnut Canyon is unique in this regard, as different lifezones overlap here, mixing species that usually live far apart - desert cacti grow alongside mountain firs.
It’s also important to remember that this is a sacred place, the people that lived here went on to become the modern pueblo people and thus, Walnut Canyon is their ancestral home. Make sure you respect this history and travel through quietly and carefully (making sure to not disturb any of the cultural artifacts).
Want to learn more?
The National Park Service maintains an excellent website for Walnut Creek Canyon that provides updated fee information, operating hours, maps and more at http://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm. You can also reach the park at (928) 526-3367.
Final Thoughts
Well worth a ½ a day of your time, a trip to Walnut Canyon National Park can be one of many highlights to the Flagstaff, Arizona area. It fits nicely with visits to Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments and carves out its own identity among those monuments.
The scenic beauty of the Canyon is stunning, as is the human and geologic history that are exposed along its walls.
Other Flagstaff, Arizona area attractions
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument / Wupatki National Monument / Meteor Crater
Travel Magazines
Travel & Leisure Magazine / Budget Travel / National Geographic Adventure / Outside Magazine / National Geographic Traveler
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: March-May
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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