Since we started traveling, our route has mostly been centered on seeing National Parks in the United States. However recently, we’ve discovered that National Monuments are also worth a stop! So, while traveling near Flagstaff, Arizona, we added Walnut Canyon National Monument to our itinerary.
About Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon is a 20-mile long, 400-feet deep and ¼-mile wide canyon. Although impressive in its own right, Walnut Canyon National Monument really earns its appeal through the ancient cliffside homes once occupied by the Ancestral Puebloans.
These Hopi ancestors lived in this region for more than 800 years between 600 and 1400 AD in these permanent cliff dwellings. Archeologists named this group of Ancestral Puebloans the Sinagua, meaning without water, to embody their lifestyle and stand as a testament to the culture’s exemplary agricultural skills.
Hiking Trails in Walnut Canyon National Monument
There are two main hiking trails where you can take in the Walnut Canyon, and the Ancient Puebloans’ way of living:
Island Trail
This one-mile paved footpath begins at the visitor center and leads you down to the Sinagua cliff dwellings. Be prepared to put in some work — there are 240 stairs to climb back up after you’ve experienced this rocky butte!
Walnut Canyon Rim Trail
The Rim Trail is a 0.7-mile self-guided tour that takes you along the canyon’s perimeter and through the Ponderosa forest. Here you’ll see two canyon overlooks, a pithouse, and other pueblo ruins.
Where to Camp in Flagstaff
Woody Mountain Campground
While in the area, we had a bit of a water tank fiasco, so we were limited to staying at campgrounds that offer water hookups. Even though I know there is some incredible boondocking sites near Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, we were really stoked to find a gem on Campspot: Woody Mountain Campground!
Surrounded by cool tall pines and crisp air, this campground offers a quiet, natural setting. We absolutely LOVED our stay here! There’s a cafe, restaurant and shop on site at Woody Mountain, and every morning I just had to get one of their delicious lavender lattes. It’s also less busy this time of the year, so it felt like we had the entire property to ourselves!
It’s also a short drive to Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Jerome and many more natural attractions. Be sure to ask their friendly staff — seriously, the nicest people! — for their local guide on all the nearby spots.
If you’re ever in the Flagstaff area, we highly recommend booking Woody Mountain Campground through Campspot— guaranteed lowest prices!
Final Thoughts
If you’re near Sedona or Flagstaff, it’s absolutely worth making the trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument to learn about how the Ancient Puebloans lived. To present day visitors like us, it’s hard to imagine living in such conditions – and it gives you an incredible appreciation for those who lived here before us!
Have you ever been to a National Monument before? Share your fave with us!
