Walnut Canyon National Monument, Flagstaff

We loved walking the trail and seeing the amazing views in Walnut Canyon. The lives lived in these cliffs must have been amazing! The park is easily accessible. The hike is steep in places (stairs) but doable. The kids were able to really grasp how these people lived, as they could go in and out of the dwellings (but don’t touch). Helpful signage and markers along the way. We hiked counter-clockwise and the first half was cool and shady.

We visited Walnut Canyon on a Flagstaff trip. I would recommend it as something to make sure you do for a half day trip if you’re in the Flagstaff area. This is a small park, but there is a lot to see and learn. The visitors center has a beautiful panoramic view of the canyon out the windows. There is a small gift shop with books of local interest, and rangers that can assist with questions and information. Outside there is a paved loop trail that explores the canyon. There are old cliff dwellings that the trails goes past, and you can explore around in what is left (unfortunately many years ago when they were discovered, people took a lot of “souvenirs” and did some damage to the dwellings - but you still get a feel for what was there). The hike is very pretty, with the typical piñon/juniper forest surroundings. It takes a little imagining to picture the creek running through the canyon, since it has been rerouted for water use. But the canyon floor is majestic still. There is also a rim trail that we hiked that stays along the upper rim of the canyon. There are various points of interest along this trail as well. We spent a morning here, as a half day is about right for this park

Beautiful! Simply amazing. I only went to the south rim and then read the north rim was better. I don't know how it could be but plan on finding out in the near future. Would recommend to anyone but should mention that you should be prepared to get your daily exercise in and you may be the only one to speak English.

I love this place, so peaceful and so amazing! Just be aware there are lots and lots of stairs so make sure you allow time to go up them slowly because going down is easy! You are in the mountains and the sun reflects off the rocks so its warm. Carry water, wear a hat, and use suntan lotion and bring a camera. Take the mile walk on the rim as well. The walk around is wheelchair friendly and you will be able to see the pueblo ruins from there. One of the main reasons I walk the trail at the top of the rim is to see all of the wildlife including the vultures and hawks as they ride the winds in the area.There are more pueblo ruins you'll be able to see in the canyon from the walk at the top and there is a pit house ruin on the walk at the top. The Rangers are wonderful and knowledgeable. The restrooms are always clean and are on the outside on the front of the visitors center. The visitors center is also wheelchair friendly.

This was one of our unexpected stops on our Arizona trip and we are so glad we stopped. The area is gorgeous and full of trees. Even in late July, the temperature there was in the 80's. There are tons of different hikes in the area, but the one that starts out the back door of the visitor center is the one we did. You go down almost 300 steps into the canyon and it feels like traveling back in time. You walk right next to (and into) cave dwellings where Native Americans lived hundreds of years ago. It's surreal when you stop, look around, and notice that you're surrounded by these dwellings on all sides. If you have kids under 18, ask the Park Rangers about the Junior Ranger program. Kids can earn special pins (can't buy them, can only earn them) by doing activities and recording some things that they see.