Last updated: March 21, 2024
Thing to Do
Visit Wupatki Pueblo
Bryan Turnbull
From the early 1100's to the mid 1200's CE this large Ancestral Puebloan structure was a bustling hub for trade and agriculture. Consisting of 104 rooms, a ceremonial ballcourt, and a large community room that likely held dances and ceremonies, the Wupatki Pueblo is the largest free standing pueblo in Northern, AZ. You can view the whole pueblo from an overlook point just a few hundred feet behind the visitor center along an accessible trail, or you can continue onto the 0.5 mi (.8 km) round-trip trail to get up close and personal with this important heritage site.
One of the most popular features at any pueblo in the Monument is the ball court and blow hole, both found at the farthest point on the trail.
This pueblo is located directly behind the Wupatki Visitor Center. It is a 13mi (20.9km) drive from the northern entrance of the monument off of Hwy 89, or 19.5mi (31.3km) from the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. For a more in depth experience pick up the Wupatki Pueblo Trail Guide in the park store for $2 which follows the numbered stops on the trail.
Although it is no longer physically occupied, descendent communities believe the people who lived and died here remain as spiritual guardians. These places are remembered and cared for, not abandoned. Thank you for visiting respectfully and leaving no trace. These sites and the lands they are on are culturally significant to the 13 Traditionally Associated Tribes of Wupatki National Monument, all of whom have ancestral ties to this area. Thank you for visiting respectfully and leaving no trace.
One of the most popular features at any pueblo in the Monument is the ball court and blow hole, both found at the farthest point on the trail.
This pueblo is located directly behind the Wupatki Visitor Center. It is a 13mi (20.9km) drive from the northern entrance of the monument off of Hwy 89, or 19.5mi (31.3km) from the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. For a more in depth experience pick up the Wupatki Pueblo Trail Guide in the park store for $2 which follows the numbered stops on the trail.
Although it is no longer physically occupied, descendent communities believe the people who lived and died here remain as spiritual guardians. These places are remembered and cared for, not abandoned. Thank you for visiting respectfully and leaving no trace. These sites and the lands they are on are culturally significant to the 13 Traditionally Associated Tribes of Wupatki National Monument, all of whom have ancestral ties to this area. Thank you for visiting respectfully and leaving no trace.
Details
Duration
5-30 Minutes
The average time for visiting Wupatki Pueblo is 30 minutes if walking the entire trail. Visiting the overlook takes 5 minutes.
Activity
Front-Country Hiking
The pueblo overlook is only a few hundred feet from the parking lot along an acessible paved trail.
Pets Allowed
No
Pets are not allowed on the Wupatki Pueblo trail. There is a shaded patio on the back side of the visitor center where pets can wait with a member of your group. Pets must be leashed at all times. Leashed service animals are ok.
Activity Fee
Yes
There is a $25 vehicle entrance fee for Wupatki National Monument which includes acess to the Wupatki Pueblo and trail. All America the Beautiful passes are also honored.
To purchase an entrance pass online visit Wupatki National Monument Site Pass in Arizona - Recreation.gov You will show a digital or printed version of this pass at the visitor center.
To purchase an entrance pass online visit Wupatki National Monument Site Pass in Arizona - Recreation.gov You will show a digital or printed version of this pass at the visitor center.
Location
Wupatki Pueblo
This pueblo is located directly behind the Wupatki Visitor Center. It is a 13mi (20.9km) drive from the northern entrance of the monument off of Hwy 89, or 19.5mi (31.3km) from the Sunset Crater Volano National Monument. Park in the visitor center parking lot and access the pueblo through the building during open hours or along a path on the right side of the building. The trail is open year-round from sunrise to sunset,
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day
This trail is open sunrise to sunset.
Accessibility Information
The parking area for Wupatki Pueblo has two accessible parking spaces (one van accessible). The path from the parking lot up to the Pueblo Overlook is paved concrete at a grade no more than 5% and a width of at least 4 ft. (48 in).
Service animals are welcome on this trail.
The trail beyond the overlook is a compacted decomposed granite surface with grades in excess of 5% and a width of at least 3 ft. (36 in). One side of the loop around the pueblo has a few sets of stairs with long platforms in between.
The difficulty for the majority of the trail is easy. There is a moderate hill coming back from the ballcourt.
Service animals are welcome on this trail.
The trail beyond the overlook is a compacted decomposed granite surface with grades in excess of 5% and a width of at least 3 ft. (36 in). One side of the loop around the pueblo has a few sets of stairs with long platforms in between.
The difficulty for the majority of the trail is easy. There is a moderate hill coming back from the ballcourt.