Nestled along the 2,040 m (6,690 ft) rim of its namesake canyon, Walnut Canyon National Monument gives you the chance to view indigenous dwellings dating back almost 800 years. Spread over more than 2,145 hectares (5,300 acres), the park contains 25 different cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people. You can wander between these sites using the monument's 1.4 km (0.9 mi) trail looping down the side of the canyon. However, be aware that the hike back to the trailhead involves 240 steps. Plan to see Walnut Canyon National Monument and other attractions that appeal to you using our Flagstaff road trip planning site.
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Tours to Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument reviews
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We were sure what to expect other than to get a workout on the descending trail but we were pleasantly surprised at the views and the preserved history. Well worth the cost and time. more »
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We spent about an hour here on a 1 hour zoom lunch break while my kids are remote schooling. Our family completed the Island Trail and our kids (8, 5 & 1) enjoyed seeing the cliff dwellings and... more »
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We had been there before, but it had been at least 10 years since our last visit. You descend a lot of stairs on the Island Trail for breathtaking views of the canyon. You can walk right past the... more »
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Quiet and overshadowed by the grand canyon, this is a beautiful little spot. Be prepared for lots of stairs! Definitely worth going down to look at the cliff dwellings. We spoke to the park ranger and he was very knowledgeable and obviously loved his job. We learned a lot about the local wildlife and the history of the canyon from him.
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A must visit in you're in the area. If you are interested in plants, animals, geology, history, or Indigenous Cultures, this place is a wonderful site to see. Be prepared to do a bit of hiking--the trail drops far down, but it has stairs and paved surfaces the entire way, and handrails for most of it. It has gorgeous views of the forest and canyon, as well as remains of cliff dwellings built by Native Cultures in the 1100s. I have visited multiple times, and each time it is amazing. You gain such an appreciation for the knowledge, tenacity, and skills of the ancient peoples. If you are able to walk up and down stairs, this is a fantastic place to visit.
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Great history of these ancient people that lived here many years ago. Best advice is go early. You will beat the heat and the hike back of which is mostly uphill will be much easier. Have a great time.
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Wow. So beautiful. I couldn't take enough pictures. Everything was breathtaking. I loved seeing the dwellings and storage places built into the rocks. Def easier going down than up but worth every step. Plenty of places to rest. Make sure you take water or buy Gatorade from the vending machines there. Depending on how many stops you make along the path, it takes 1 - 2 hours on the island trail. But some things were blocked off when we went so that shortened the time.
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This national park exceeded our expectations. The Island trail is a great hike and the paved path is is in such great condition and safe. The hike was easy going down all the stairs and was a good workout coming back to the entrance. The rangers were really friendly and knew a lot about the history. The bathrooms are clean and updated. Just be aware of the weather before the hike.
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