Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon
Cliff dwellings from about 800 years ago, set in limestone alcoves in the canyon walls. A island-style trail lets visitors walk into rooms the ancient people once lived in.
Walnut Canyon lies about 15 km southeast of downtown. Between roughly 1100 and 1250 CE, the Sinagua people built walls and houses in natural alcoves in the canyon's limestone cliffs. The roughly 1.6 km 'Island Trail' loops around a pillar of rock that stands like an island in the canyon, and visitors can enter about 25 cliff rooms. The route involves descending about 56 meters, with around 240 steps up and down, at an elevation of about 2,000 meters. Visitors with less stamina can choose the gentler rim trail. Tickets are charged per person. You must start the trail at least an hour before the visitor center closes.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00–17:00 (varies by season)
Nearby sights
- Mount Elden
- Buffalo Park
- Historic Downtown Flagstaff & Route 66
- Flagstaff Visitor Center (Historic Depot)
- Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
- Lowell Observatory
- Pioneer Museum
- Museum of Northern Arizona