Discover Ancient History at Walnut Canyon National Monument

Ten miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona, just off Interstate 40, is a place that offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and ancient history. Walnut Canyon National Monument preserves the cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people, who inhabited the area over 700 years ago.

Sinagua is Spanish for “without water,” a name the Spanish gave to these ancient peoples in appreciation of their ability to not only live in such a dry region but thrive.

Walnut Canyon was a farming community that flourished between roughly 1125 and 1250. The Sinagua people living there tended crops on the rim, traveled to gather other food, and collected water from the canyon bottom.

Today, you can get a tangible connection to the Sinagua people’s daily lives by hiking the Island Trail, a big highlight of the Walnut Canyon National Monument that provides an intimate look at the park.

Hiking the Island Trail: A Journey Through Time

We pulled into the Walnut Canyon parking lot late afternoon on a scorching hot spring day. The parking lot was nearly full with visitors. Already sun-kissed from spending the morning at Wupatki National Monument, my wife and I knew this would be a short but tough hike.

Walnut Canyon is a steep canyon that gouges through a rolling plateau. It’s 20 miles long, 400 feet deep, and a quarter mile wide. Walnut Creek carved it out over millions of years. The steep canyon walls were the reason for our visit. They are home to a spectacular display of incredibly well-preserved ancient cliff dwellings that you can walk right by.

We walked into the visitor center to cool off before heading out and hiking the Island Trail. We listened in as a Park Ranger warned a group about to head down the trail. “Take more water than you think you need. And don’t let the Island Trail’s short distance fool you! This is a strenuous hike at a very high elevation. Every year, people underestimate it and have to be rescued after suffering from heat exhaustion. Don’t be that person, please.” Said the Park Ranger.

We’d spent the last five days road-tripping through Arizona and New Mexico, but coming from sea level, we were not even close to acclimated to the elevation. Walnut Canyon is at nearly 7,000 feet in elevation, and I could certainly feel it in the air just walking around.

After filling our water bottles, we took off down the trail, which immediately began a steep, switchback-laden descent. The Island Trail is rated as strenuous by just about all accounts. It is a paved 0.9-lollipop loop with 736 stairs, steep inclines, and some exposure in places.

After negotiating the descent, we arrived at the loop portion of the hike. We went counterclockwise. The trail follows the sharp meanders of Walnut Creek. It was a hot but also a beautiful day, with deep, dark blue skies dotted with a few white, puffy clouds here and there.

Amazing Canyon Views

The very first views of the canyon were incredible. Looking across, you could clearly see other cliff dwellings along the canyon walls. Don’t forget your binoculars on this hike. I was thrilled I remembered to bring them!

Heading down the trail, we almost immediately came to what makes this hike so special: the first of 25 well-preserved cliff dwellings. It was terrific; the trail was built directly next to them. I’d never been so close to cliff dwellings before.

The first half of the hike was very exposed, with direct sunlight and very little shade. After we rounded the bend, we sat down to cool off and enjoy some shade and a breeze for about 15 minutes. The intense heat from the sun was starting to make my wife sick.

After the rest, she recovered and was ready to go. The cliff dwellings on the back side of the trail were just as impressive and more comfortable to view, as they were mostly shaded. After the loop, we returned up the steep switchbacks faster than I expected—excitement for the air-conditioned visitor center, I guess. Plan on a minimum of an hour to hike the Island Trail. You must start before 4 pm, as the facility closes at that time.

Hiking this trail is a very special experience. As you explore, you’re not just witnessing ancient architecture; you’re stepping into a story that has endured for centuries.

Other Things To Do in Walnut Canyon National Monument

Visitor Center and Amenities

The Walnut Canyon Visitor Center is the starting point for the Island and Rim trails. It offers a wealth of resources, including a museum, educational film, and a park store operated by the Western National Parks Association. Restrooms and a great canyon viewpoint are also available.

Rim Trail

For a less demanding experience than the Island Trail, the 0.7-mile Rim Trail offers a paved, relatively flat path along the canyon’s edge. This trail provides panoramic views of the canyon and its dwellings, with interpretive signage detailing the area’s flora and cultural history. The Rim Trail closes at 4:30 p.m.

How to Get To Walnut Canyon National Monument

To reach Walnut Canyon National Monument from Flagstaff, take Interstate 40 east to exit 204, then follow Walnut Canyon Road south for approximately 3 miles. The monument’s elevation of 6,690 feet means that weather conditions can vary, with snow possible in winter and afternoon thunderstorms common in summer. Dress appropriately and carry plenty of water.