Arizona Hikes - Walnut Canyon National Monument

Guest Author - Jilly Bean Florio

Walnut Canyon is so close to Flagstaff, yet easily the most overlooked attraction for locals. It's almost a shame, but the resulting solitude only deepens the quality of experience for the first-time visitor.

Walnut Canyon is pretty enough to warrant a trip, even without the pleasure of exploring ancient Sinaguan cliff dwellings. Ledges of white Kaibab Limestone rest atop buff Coconino Sandstone hoodoos. Tall yucca stalks blossom on the sunny southsides of the canyon, while cooler, northfacing grottos drip with delicate ferns and thick oak glens. Douglas Fir trees cling to cliffs beside bristling Prickly Pear cacti. The canyon floor teems with green Boxelder and tall Walnut trees, namesake of the park itself. Each of these plants served useful functions for the people who lived in the canyon, so long ago.

Walnut Canyon Trails
The monument offers two pleasant trails that wind around cliff dwellings and mesa ruins. The Rim Trail is flat and paved, and winds for nearly a mile along the canyon rim. Lookout points and interpretive signs describe the cliff dwellings, flora and fauna of the area. A side loop brings you to the remains of a small but interesting mesa-top village, complete with a pueblo and pithouse.

The mile-long, paved Island Trail leads down the canyon itself and through 25 ancient Sinaguan dwellings. This trail offers many interpretive signs enroute, as it wraps along scenic limestone ledges.

While many rooms were blasted in the 1880s by pot hunters and recreational looters traveling through Flagstaff in the glory days of the railroad era, others are in nearly pristine condition.

Soot lines the walls and ceilings of these well-constructed rooms, which were large enough for families to stretch out at night, store a few necessary household items, and build a fire. The rooms were small because most Sinaguan daily activities happened outside, along the sunny ledges and in the surrounding forest.

While the trail drops(and ascends)240 steps in 185 feet, the route is not considered strenuous if taken at a moderate pace. Benches are provided as resting points along the descent. We saw senior citizens and families with small children easily managing the climb.

While hiking this trail, keep your eyes open for other ruins of habitational rooms and storage areas around the canyon. Every canyon ledge and crevice seems to reveal its own set of man-made walls. Make a game of finding 'hidden' ruins with any children along for the hike. Park officials have logged more than 80 rooms in and around the canyon walls.

A section of the state-long Arizona Trail swings past Walnut Canyon, just outside the park boundaries. This trail is open to hiking, camping and cycling. Cyclists can park their bike at the Visitor Center and hike into the canyon for an enjoyable sidetrip.

Other Amenities
The Visitor Center has a nice display of pottery and other artifacts collected from the area, a well-stocked bookstore, and panoramic views of Walnut Canyon. The Center is handicapped-accessible.

A picnic area with clean toilets is available for day use at the park. There is no camping at Walnut Canyon National Monument. Pets may be excersized in the parking area but not walked on park trails.

Bring a bottle of water or Gatoraid to prevent dehydration in the arid, high desert air. A water fountain and vending machines are available in the Visitor Center.

When you Go
Just a 7-mile drive east on Flagstaff, off I-40. Turn right at the Walnut Canyon Exit. Admission is $3.00 per person and will admit you for seven days. As with all national monuments, the Golden Eagle, Age and Access passes will admit you for free. Park hours are 9AM to 5PM (open until 6 in the summer).

For More Information
Call the Visitor Center at 928-526-3367, or click to http://www.nps.gov/waca/ for more details. Here is a quick look at the history of the monument.

Or grab a copy of Scott Thybony's Walnut Canyon National Monument, published in 1996 by the Southwest Parks and Monuments Association ($3.95). This handy book describes the life and times of the Sinaguan peoples and the history of the monument.

One Last Note
Remember to take only pictures as momentos of your visit. All plants, animals and prehistoric artifacts within the park are protected by law. Take care to be a good steward to our nation's irreplacable historic and scenic treasures!

This information was previously published on Suite101.com, by Jill Florio

There are three national monuments in Flagstaff, Arizona:

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