Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. Today the park preserves this landscape, and the ancestral homes in and around the canyon. The one mile round-trip Island Trail provides access to 25 cliff dwellings. The park is located near Flagstaff, Arizona, and is managed by the National Park Service.
Walnut Canyon National Monument protects a strikingly deep canyon rimmed with ancient cliff dwellings near Flagstaff, Arizona. Visitors can hike into the canyon, explore scenic overlooks, and learn about the lives of the Sinagua people who occupied the area for centuries .
Overview
Walnut Canyon National Monument was established to preserve the remarkable archaeological sites of the Sinagua people, who built cliff dwellings in the canyon between 1100 and 1250 AD. The monument encompasses 801 acres and features a dramatic 200-foot-deep canyon carved by Walnut Creek. The area is rich in cultural history, natural beauty, and diverse plant and animal life .
Plan Your Visit
Walnut Canyon offers a variety of ways to experience its unique landscape and cultural history. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, there are trails, overlooks, and programs to suit your interests.
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is the main gateway to the monument, providing maps, information, and exhibits about the park's natural and cultural history. Ranger talks and orientation sessions are available to help visitors make the most of their visit.
Island Trail
The Island Trail is a one-mile round-trip hike that descends into the canyon, giving visitors close-up views of 25 ancient cliff dwellings. The trail features stairs and uneven surfaces, so sturdy footwear is recommended. This trail may have seasonal closures for safety or maintenance.
Rim Trail
The Rim Trail is a 1.5-mile loop that follows the edge of the canyon, offering stunning views of the canyon interior and the cliff dwellings below. This relatively flat trail is ideal for those who want to enjoy the scenery without descending into the canyon.
Sandal and Aspen Trails
The Sandal Trail (1.3 miles round-trip) leads to an overlook of the Betatakin cliff dwelling, the largest in the park. The Aspen Trail (0.8 miles round-trip) ends at an overlook of the relict forest in Betatakin Canyon. Both trails involve elevation changes and offer unique perspectives of the canyon and its archaeological features.
Scenic Drives and Overlooks
While Walnut Canyon does not have extensive scenic drives like some larger parks, the Rim Trail and various overlooks along the canyon edge provide excellent vantage points for photography and appreciating the canyon's depth and history.
Animals
Walnut Canyon's diverse habitats support a variety of wildlife, including species adapted to the high desert and canyon environments.
Merriam's Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami)
Merriam's turkeys are often seen foraging in the forested areas around the canyon. These birds are well-adapted to the ponderosa pine ecosystems of northern Arizona.
Abert's Squirrel (Sciurus aberti)
Abert's squirrels are recognizable by their tufted ears and are commonly observed in the park's ponderosa pine forests. They play a role in seed dispersal and are active throughout the day.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Red-tailed hawks soar above the canyon, using the thermals created by the canyon walls. These raptors are skilled hunters and can often be seen perched on high vantage points scanning for prey.
Plants
The plant life in Walnut Canyon includes species that have adapted to the canyon's microclimates and the surrounding high desert region.
Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
Ponderosa pine forests crown the rim of Walnut Canyon, providing shade and habitat for numerous species. These tall, straight pines are a dominant feature of the Colorado Plateau's higher elevations.
Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana)
Alligator juniper trees are noted for their distinctive, flaky bark resembling alligator skin. They grow along the canyon walls and contribute to the stability of the slopes and the overall scenery.
Utah Serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis)
Utah serviceberry is a small tree or shrub that grows along the canyon rim and in the interior. It produces white flowers in the spring and edible berries that attract wildlife.
Four-wing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens)
Four-wing saltbush is a hardy shrub found in the drier parts of the canyon. It has unique winged seeds and is important for soil stabilization and as a food source for animals.
Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)
Banana yucca plants thrive in the sunny, rocky slopes of the canyon. Their tough leaves and striking flower spikes make them a distinctive part of the desert flora.
Management and Preservation
Walnut Canyon National Monument is managed by the National Park Service, which works to preserve its archaeological sites, natural habitats, and scenic beauty. The park offers educational programs, ranger-led walks, and interpretive signage to enhance visitor understanding of the Sinagua culture and the canyon's ecology.
The monument also implements conservation practices to protect its plant and animal species and to maintain the integrity of the cliff dwellings and other archaeological resources for future generations .
Additional Resources
- NPS – Walnut Canyon National Monument
- Plan Your Visit – Walnut Canyon
- Trail Information – Walnut Canyon
- Interpretive Programs – Walnut Canyon
Explore the ancient mysteries and natural beauty of Walnut Canyon National Monument, where history and nature converge in a breathtaking Arizona canyon .
Links
Hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Last updated: Sat Jun 7, 2025
