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Walnut Canyon National MonumentRim Trail overlook
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Walnut Canyon National Monument
Plan Your Visit
 
 
 

Allow at least 2 hours to see the visitor center and museum, hike down to the cliff dwellings, and walk the Rim Trail.

The Island Trail descends 185 feet (56m) into the canyon providing access to 25 cliff dwelling rooms. A strenuous .9 mile (1.4km) round trip, this is one of the best ways to experience the park. Climbing the 240 steps back up can tax heart and lungs. Bring water! Elevation: 6690ft (2039m). The Island Trail closes one hour before the visitor center.  

The Rim Trail (.7 mi/1km) offers an easy overview of the canyon. The Rim Trail closes 30 minutes before the visitor center.

Backcountry hiking is not allowed in order to protect fragile archeological sites. Please stay on designated trails. 

Pets must be leashed at all times. They are not allowed in buildings or on park trails.

Sunset Crater Volcano framed by pines
Visit all 3 Flagstaff Area National Monuments
Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments are both nearby.
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Map of United States showing Old Trails Highwary route  

Did You Know?
In 1915 a spur road to what is now Walnut Canyon National Monument was designated part of the National Old Trails Highway, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, which stretched for 3,095 miles across the US. Walnut Canyon became a short detour from this major transcontinental route.

Last Updated: October 03, 2008 at 06:54 EST