Flagstaff, Arizona Attractions - National Monuments

Walnut Canyon - Sunset Crater - Wupatki

Flagstaff, Arizona, is the only U.S. city that has three national monuments within minutes of downtown. Each of these monuments offers a unique view of this historical landscape. You can visit ancient cliff dwellings, see 900+ year-old lava flows and walk past pueblo ruins, all within an hour’s drive.

The National Park Service says, “Together, they protect more than 40,000 acres and 3,000 archeological sites, in a landscape of expansive high deserts, canyons, mountains, mesas, and volcanic features.” You will easily see that great diversity as you drive from one to another of these national monuments.

Walnut Canyon National Monument

This national monument protects Walnut Canyon and its 25 cliff dwelling rooms that were occupied by the Sinagua people more than 700 years ago. You’ll want to spend some time in the visitor center and museum to learn about the monument before walking the trails. Don’t forget your camera, the views are spectacular. Even the San Francisco Peaks can be seen from the glassed in overlook at the visitor center. The National Park Service recommends two hours for seeing this monument. However, it may take you longer if you linger along the trail as you view the cliff dwellings.

Location:

Eight miles east of Flagstaff via Interstate 40. Take Walnut Canyon Exit, three miles to the visitor center.

Trails:

The Island Trail descends down into the canyon. Less than a mile round trip, this trail is strenuous because hikers must climb 240 steps back up to the visitor center. If you’re fit enough, this hike provides a close up view of the cliff dwellings.

The Rim Trail is an easy hike of less than a mile round trip that gives an excellent overview of the canyon.

More information on Walnut Canyon

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater is the youngest of more than 600 volcanoes in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. It offers the visitor an up-close look at what a volcano does to the surrounding land. You can the see the black lava that looks like it has not changed in the nearly 1,000 years since it first flowed across the landscape. Then you can walk through the fields of cinders at the base of Sunset Crater.

Explore the visitor center before you set out on any of the trails. Be sure that you understand where you can go and the precautions you need to take in this volcanic environment. You’ll need to allow one to two hours to see this monument.

Location:

Twelve miles north of Flagstaff on Highway 89. Turn right at the sign for Sunset Crater Volcano-Wupatki National Monuments, two miles to the Sunset Crater Visitor Center.

Trails:

Lava Flow Trail is a self-guided one mile round trip hike along the base of Sunset Crater, with beautiful views of the San Francisco Peaks. Hikes to the top of the volcano have been stopped.

Lenox Crater Trail climbs a cinder cone, but is very difficult trail over steep inclines with loose cinders. You can see Sunset Crater and its lava flows, as well as The Peaks.

Overlooks:

If you’re driving the loop road to Wupatki National Monument, be sure to stop at the Cinder Hills Overlook for one last view of Sunset Crater and its surrounding cinder cones.

Then stop at Painted Desert View, about eight miles from the Sunset Crater visitor center. You don’t want to miss this turnout, with its view of Wupatki grasslands and the spectacular Painted Desert in the distance.

More information on Sunset Crater