Wander Around the Cliffs of Walnut Canyon in Arizona to See Amazing Pre-Columbian Dwellings

Have you ever been curious about how native Americans lived before? The early inhabitants of this world will always be amazing for coming up with a way to utilize what nature has given to humans. As you know, there are a lot of native tribes in Arizona and one of them is the Sinagua Tribe, or the Pre-Columbian people. If you want to see how they lived in the Walnut Canyon, then keep on reading.

The Walnut Canyon Served as a Dwelling Place for Sinagua Tribe From 1100 to 1250 AD

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A long time ago, a lot of people lived in the cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon. It’s so fascinating to think about all the efforts the hardworking Sinagua people exerted to make the sturdy brick-by-brick construction that stands today. The trail in this canyon was used by the early inhabitants to make their way down to the bottom of the canyon. Families who lived here day by day by farming around the canyon rims. They grew squash, beans, borns, and a lot more. And it’s not bad that the views are spectacular too!

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Did you know where the name of the canyon came from? It is called the Walnut Canyon for its abundance of Black Walnut Trees. If you walk along the trails, you can definitely go back in time and imagine life within Walnut Canyon. There are amazing actual pueblos that will give you a glimpse of the steps of those who came before.

There Are Two Trails That You Can Take in the Walnut Canyon: Island and Rim Trails

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Island Trail

These two trails will give you a different view of the Walnut Canyon. The Island Trail is a 1-hour round trip with a distance of 1 mile where you will have the experience to see 25-cliff dwelling rooms right before your eyes. The trail may be quite difficult because of the stairs and steep canyon terrain. It consists of 273 steps down to the trail, but it really is worth it!

Some hikers and adventurers who have been before say that it will be particularly strenuous especially for those not acclimated to 7,000′ elevation. You should also expect the trail to descend 185 vertical feet into the canyon. All visitors will return the same way they came in, so be prepared to sweat it out!

Entry to the Island Trail closes at around 3:30 pm. On the other hand, the visitors are free to explore the trail before the park closes at 4:30 pm. You may check the website to see when Island Trail will be closed during winter as a result of snowy or icy conditions.

Rim Trail

If you don’t like strenuous hikes, don’t worry! This one is ideal for you. The Rim Trail is the easier version because it is just a 30-minute hike for a round trip. You can enjoy the beautiful view while strolling along the canyon rim through a mixed juniper and pinion pine forest. You will reach a beautiful overlook with a direct view of the canyon and cliff dwellings below. The first part of the trail leading to the first canyon overlook is paved, so you will have no problem reaching it. You may also check the visitor center before proceeding further. There are benches along the way so you can stop every now and then for a quick break or to marvel at the beautiful view.

Guests will also be encouraged to check out the cool partially rebuilt pithouse and pueblo set back from the canyon rim. Summer season is a good time to take the Rim Trail because there is usually a demonstration garden that features traditional crops grown by the Sinagua.

Please note that this trail is strictly for pedestrians as there are no biking trails at Walnut Canyon. If you are coming to visit, you should begin the Rim Trail by 4:00 pm. so you have enough time to explore the trail and depart before the park closes at 4:30 pm.

Note: Do your part in taking care of the park by staying on the established trails. You are also not allowed to climb or lean on the dwelling walls because this might damage the ancient dwellings. Refrain from removing or disturbing any features as well.

Things to Do in Walnut Canyon

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For a minimal fee, you can do a lot of things in Walnut Canyon. Entry costs $15 per person which is valid for 7 days. Children aged 15 and younger are eligible for free admission.

Besides sight-seeing and hiking down trails, there are other activities to look forward to when visiting Walnut Canyon. There are Daily Ranger Talks within 10 am to 2 pm daily. These rangers will serve as your local tour guide that will talk about the history of Walnut Canyon. It’s your opportunity to ask questions about the pre-Columbian dwellers! Your experience will surely be enriching because it’s informative.

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Kindly contact the Visitor Center to know whether there is a ranger available to accommodate you.

Do you want to see how archeologists preserve ancient remains? Then you should stay tuned for the yearly Walnut Canyon Preservation Day! There will be a lot of activities for your family to enjoy like fixing the wall stones, creating demonstrations walls, and mixing mortar. Doesn’t this remind you of the park right outside of Phoenix that lets you dig and take home million-year-old fossils? 

Why Should You Visit This Place?

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It would be great to visit a place with a beautiful geological formation that was relevant during the ancient time. The Walnut Canyon is not too far from downtown Flagstaff, so you’d have time to check out other places after your visit here. This is also just a quick run from I-40 and you can be back on the road in about 90 minutes.

The canyon itself is amazing, but you will be amazed by the structures built into the sides of the canyon. One can only imagine what it took to get them built. You will definitely appreciate how the Sinagua Tribe maximized their resources to live in these dwellings years back.

Expect a paved parking area that is friendly for large RVs, cars and motorcycles. The walking trails are paved too.

Please take note that you needed to be physically fit especially when taking the Island Trail since there are a lot of steps.

Park Updates

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• If you are coming to visit the Walnut Canyon National Monument, expect limited visitor access due to the global health crisis.
• The Island Trail, Rim Trail and public restrooms will be open. On the other hand, the visitor center will remain closed. Come early in the morning to maximize your stay because the park’s hours are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily. All visitors should also exit the park by 4:30 pm.
• Visitors are also encouraged not to approach any wildlife during your visit here. The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Department of Agriculture have confirmed rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV2) in Arizona cottontails and black-tailed jackrabbits.
• The summer heat will definitely make your visit uncomfortable. Please avoid hiking and outdoor activities during the middle of the day. You should also bring plenty of water because there is no water fountain available. If you want to avoid the summer heat, please check the local forecasts. You should also rest in the shade whenever possible if you will push through with your trip.

Note: We encourage all guests to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when visiting public lands. Always wear a mask, sanitize your hands regularly, and maintain social distancing. If you’re not comfortable coming here, please just check out the wonderful destination from the Virtual Tours available on their website.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm
Location: 3 Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff, Arizona
Visiting Hours: Opens daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm
Contact: (928) 527-0246

What do you think of the Walnut Canyon?

If you want another interesting read, check out this article: Visiting This Small Gold Mining Town in Arizona Will Literally Transport You Back to the Wild West.