Wupatki National Monument Arizona

Wupatki National Monument is in Nothern, Arizona, and preserves dozens of Native American ruins. The Cohonina, Kayenta Anasazi, and Sinagua tribes lived in the area now listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places. Dwellings date back to as early as 500 AD. Today there are all abandoned but still well preserved.

Wupatki monument’s location on the Colorado Plateau made it one of the lowest, driest, and warmest places. The monument features the tallest, largest, and perhaps the wealthiest Pueblo in its time. Wupatki Pueblo had over 100 rooms and was home to over 300 people. Visitors are allowed to enter the Pueblos at Wupatki, unlike many other sites in Arizona.

Things to do at Wupatki National Monument

First Stop Wupatki Visitor Center

Start your exploration at the visitor center near Milepost 21 on the scenic loop road. To participate in ranger-guided activities, the visitor center is the starting point and a hub for maps, trail guides, and other information. Exhibits at the visitor center showcase Native American history and culture, and if you are traveling with kids, sign up for the Junior Ranger activities here.

Scenic Loop Wupatki National Monument

Most visitors opt for a self-guided tour of the main sights at the Wupatki National Monument. Designated trails are open from sunrise to sunset for self-guided exploration. On a self-guided tour, you can explore the largest Wupatki Pueblo with over 100 rooms.

Loki and Box Canyon Pueblos

Next, check out the Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos that overlook the canyons where Pueblo people used dry farming techniques. The Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos offer stunning vistas, while the Wukoki Pueblo stands alone at the trail’s end.

Guided Tours Wupatki National Monument

Visitors can sign up for guided tours at Wupatki National Monument for an informative experience. Guided hikes and tours are conducted from April to October, ranging from easy to strenuous for different walks. Guided hikes and tour visitors access parts of the monument that are otherwise not open to the general public.

Since the areas require intense preservation, groups are limited in size, so sign up in advance to book a spot on the tours. Some of the more popular tours include the Kaibab House tour, which lasts about 3 hours and involves a moderate hike. Expect to see Petroglyphs, grasslands, and Pueblo architecture.

Antelope House Tour

The Antelope House guided tour lasts about 3.5 hours, with the hike involving cross-country walking over rocky surfaces. Visitors see red rock geology, ranching camps, and more Pueblo architecture. The East Mesa tour is about 2 hours, with a moderate trail, where visitors can see grasslands, fire ecology, and Pueblo architecture.

Overnight to Crack-In-The-Rock Hike

The Wupatki National Monument offers memorable ranger-led backpacking hikes over the weekends to Crack-In-The-Rock in April and October. This 12th-century Puebloan site is on a mesa top, with several prehistoric archaeological sites along the way. The 2-day trek covers about 20 miles, reaching 4900 feet, and is strenuous.

Getting to Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki National Monument is 30 miles north of Flagstaff or a three-hour drive from Phoenix. There are many exciting things to do and see at the Wupatki National Monument, so plan to spend at least a half-day. Check the Wupatki National Monument website for information on hours and road conditions. Nearby Sunset Crater National Monument is worth a look if you have time. Dogs are now allowed on the trails or in the ruins.

Arizona Day Trip Ideas

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum California

Lost City Museum Nevada