• View of Cliff Dwellings from the Island Trail

    Walnut Canyon

    National Monument Arizona

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  • Island Trail Loop Partially Closed

    6/7/2013: The north facing side of the Island Trail loop is closed for trail construction. The stairs and south facing side of loop is open. Please call 928-526-3367 for more information. More »

Island Trail

Visitors at cliff dwelling on Island Trail

An Island Trail cliff dwelling

NPS photo by Dallas Larsen

It has been more than 700 years since Walnut Canyon echoed with the words and sounds of a vital pueblo community. The Island Trail leads you back in time, and welcomes you into the world of the people archeologists call Sinagua. You'll see 25 cliff dwelling rooms along the trail; more are visible across the canyon. Spectacular canyon scenery and plantlife.

Please stay on the established trail, don't climb on walls, and do not remove or disturb any features.

Entry to the Island Trail closes 1 hour before the monument closes.

In Winter the Island Trail may be closed temporarily for snow removal. Please call for current information if there are storms in the area. 928-526-3367


Distance 1 mile round-trip
Time

1 hour round-trip
Difficulty Strenuous, especially for those not acclimated to 7,000' elevation. The trail descends 185 vertical feet into the canyon, and returns the same way.
Accessibility The trail is paved, but not accessible to wheelchairs, due to steep canyon terrain and many stairs.
 

Did You Know?

Map of United States showing Old Trails Highwary route

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.