This was completely mind blowing We were a family of three and we completed it with no issues going to the island trail. To see the canyon on both sides, the sunny side and the shaded side was a big difference. I do recommend taking your time going up the stairs because you will be out of breath. But it is completely worth it for the views The staff was absolutely wonderful. They even have people walking down the trails. Would totally recommend read more

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This is a cool place where you can see structures left by Native people (prehistoric culture Sinagua) although there are also artifacts from the Archaic peoples before them who did not reside permanently in the canyon. There is a visitor center and two trails here. The Rim trail at a pretty even 0.75 miles is great for people who want a stroll that follows the canyon rim (out and back trail). You can see the structures from the rim, but it's even better with binoculars. The Island trail is slightly longer at 1 mi, but a steeper 185 vertical feet into the canyon with a whole bunch of stairs at the beginning, and returns the same way. I guess people get too tired to climb back up since there are numerous signs warning of the steep climb back. The trail begins at the back door exit of the visitor center, which they close at 4 pm (the entire monument closes at 5 pm, so they don't want anyone to start the trail and get locked in). Both trails were great and they had informational signs along the way. I really liked the Island trail since you get up close and personal with the structures. The visitor center was standard - offering a gift shop, bathrooms outside, and information about the history and significance of the area. The ranger staffing the information desk was pretty patient with the group of tourists and determining if they were fit to do the Island trail. It's a totally different vibe from the Grand Canyon, so don't expect huge views. read more

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$25/vehicle and you have 7 days to use your pass, i.e. you can come and go for a 7 days. The Park Rangers are extremely helpful in providing best routes for your ability and endurance. The gorges are majestic. After a while you just can't absorb it anymore. Sensory overload! Highly recommend this spot. It is crucial to wear good hiking boots, wear a large hat and bring a lot of water. The elevation is 7,000 ft. We plan on returning again while we're here! read more

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What an incredible experience! How these indigenous peoples lived and built their homes on the mountain sides was fascinating. I'm in awe of how they had to traverse these mountain sides to get food, water and to other sides of the village. Well worth the experience. It costs the admission to get into the park only. I think it was $12.00 but worth every penny. *strong note here* MANY stairs to go down and back up and your at a higher altitude so bring water, sun clothing especially if it's summer or hot out and take breaks climbing. Know your limits and enjoy! read more

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Enter using our national park annual membership card. It's pretty close to the flagstaff down town. Nice visitors center with a great view of the cliffs dwelling. We took the island trail, it's about 1mile, with stairs and well paved path, we able to get close enough to see the dwelling on the cliffs, love the views with layers of rocks. We also took the Rim trail, it's an easy and short trail, providing a great views of the island trail from a distance. read more

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I love this spot and hope more people can come visit this amazingness! This was my second time here and this site truly amazes me. I loved taking the hike around the cliff dwellings. There are a few trails here where you can see different perspectives of the dwellings and I recommend that you do both of them. One lets you walk basically right through them and the other trail gives you a further view so you really get both perspectives. Super neat history, site, and overall spot. Your annual park pass if you have one will get you in here too. Definitely recommend this place! read more

This place was awesome. The employees in the gift shop were all so nice, friendly, and helpful. There were also a couple Indigenous artisans/jewelry makers set up with awesome work--earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. The trail we went on was extremely well-maintained and had good information as well as lots of benches to rest on throughout (lots of steps involved). I love this place! read more

Walnut Canyon National Monument - View from the hike - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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What an incredible time we had at Walnut Canyon National Monument! We arrived 2 hours before closing, so we only had time for the Island Trail, which was a-okay because this was a spectacular trail. While trekking down 17 flights of stairs, we spotted several cliff dwellings hidden between trees throughout the canyon which was amazing to see. Once down at the bottom, the trail is a one-way loop as the path is quite narrow. We did not expect to be up close and personal with so many dwellings on this trail. Each time we thought we had seen the last dwelling, we came up to yet another one! It was also a fairly quiet day so we were able to hear all the beautiful birds while hiking which made the day even better. I will say, my husband and I are not in the best of shape and although we were able to complete this hike, walking up 17 flights of stairs at the end was definitely challenging. Make sure you've got plenty of water with you, a hat, sunscreen, and don't be afraid to take your time back up the stairs, especially if you're not used to the higher elevation. Dogs are not allowed on The Island Trail. We witnessed someone get a little angry over this, so just thought I'd share. The island trail is accessed through the visitor center, which was well-kept and staffed with kind rangers. There is a water refill station inside the visitor's center. They have a nice gift shop, helpful rangers, and clean restrooms just outside the Visitor Center's main entrance. There are additional restrooms across the parking lot near another trailhead. Although these cliff dwellings are not as well maintained as Mesa Verde National Park, it was still incredible to see so many of them in one small area. Absolutely worth spending a few hours or more at this National Monument. read more

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This was a lovely spot to visit, I loved how close you were able to get to the dwellings and the gorgeous views we were able to see. Originally I thought this was going to be a spot that was similar to Montezuma and Tuzigoot, I did not realize how many stairs would be on one of the trails. There are two trails, the rim trail which gives you views down into the canyon and is an easy walk/hike, and then there is the second trail which takes you down 250+ stairs down into where the actual dwellings are. The stairs aren't all one consistent size and a few of the spots without railing felt a little sketchy, but the nice weather and cool breeze helped take your mind off of the cliffs below. The views were stunning and I liked the informational posts along the trail. Depending on your level of fitness the hike back up the stairs might not be fun, however there are several benches along the way to sit down and take a break. There were quite a few people sitting and resting on the way back up, myself included. Remember to take water with you even during the winter! A hat would be a great idea as well, part of the trail is shaded and the rest is fully in the sun. The little gift shop was nice and we liked the small museum inside as well. read more

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Flagstaff has an interesting array of National Monuments and Walnut Canyon is one of those. Recently, I had my second visit to this unique park. The first time, back in 2019, I had arrived later in the day and the park's primary trail, the Island Trail down to the cliff dwellings, was already closed for the day. In late September 2025, I made a point to get here first thing in the morning and spend time on this remarkable trail. The kiosk as you drive in was staffed when I arrived (if it's not, be sure to pay at the Visitor Center.) I used my America the Beautiful National Parks pass. To access the Island trail, which winds down 273 steps in to the canyon, you need to go through the Visitor Center. The center, itself has an interesting museum and pretty fun gift shop. The trail itself is well graded with its stairs and has hand rails in some, but not all, spots along the step. Inside the canyon the views across and above are spectacular. But the highlight of this park are the cliff dwellings. It's quite remarkable to see the original spaces and how they're preserved. There are also a ton of informational signs. The whole loop is less than a mile but you will want to take your time and enjoy the views from every angle. Climbing back out requires some stamina but slow and steady will serve you well. I happened to go on a drizzly cloudy morning which made it a comfortable trek. After you're out of the canyon be sure to also take a stroll on the rim trail and head over to the scenic overlook. Plan to spend at least 2 hours in the park if you're hiking down the canyon. Truly a unique place that preserves the history of the area. It's a small park but mighty in scenery and well designed to be an interesting educational experience also. read more

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It's was worth 700 steps down and back to up to see the cliff dwellings. From the visitor center, you can see multiple dwellings across the canyon (without hiking). Trail begins behind the visitor center. read more

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Quick visit visit in early October since we were in the area. It was 103 out but felt like we were in a broiler. We stopped at the visitor center and did the easy flat rim trail. EVEN with that you needed sunscreen, hat and water. Definitely wasn't up to going down the 700 stairs at the other trail which took you to the historic dwellings built into the mountain. But our camera gave us a glimpse. We used merlin app to identify and attract various birds. Lots of blue birds. Nice walk. read more

Walnut Canyon National Monument - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Walnut Canyon National Monument is one of those places that makes you stop and wonder how you've never heard of it before. Just a short drive from Flagstaff, this site is not only beautiful but also filled with incredible history. The main highlight is the Island Trail, where you descend into the canyon and walk among the ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people, who lived here nearly 800 years ago. It's surreal to stand inside structures built directly into the canyon walls and imagine what life was like for the families who once called this place home. The views alone are worth the trip. The canyon is filled with junipers, pines, and striking rock formations, and from the overlooks you get panoramic views that feel like something out of a painting. The trail itself is only about a mile long, but be prepared for lots of stairs on the way back up--it's a bit of a workout, but totally worth it. The visitor center is also excellent, with detailed exhibits that give you context about the Sinagua culture and the preservation efforts. Walnut Canyon is a true hidden gem and one of the most fascinating stops in northern Arizona. https://linktr.ee/reessroots read more

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Gorgeous views and a great hike to see the cliff dwellings and ruins. Tough but manageable with paved trail and stairs.

This reminded me that I really need to purchase a National Park pass because the entrance fee is $25. The guard gate is only three miles from the interstate. So its close and accessible. Not nearly as steep or as majestic as the Grand Canyon but this national park is only ten miles from Flagstaff and shouldn't be missed. Easy trails, lots of stuff to see and easy parking for the Sprinter van. The trails are paved and easy access for a one mile look. You'll get to see two dozen of the cliff dwellings. Lots of signs warn to stay on the trails and this is not only to ensure the continued preservation of the national park but also your own safety. There's wildlife here. The park was established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915 as part of the Flagstaff Area National Monuments that also includes the Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano parks. [Review 21055 overall - 126 in Arizona - 18 of 2024.] read more

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Step into the past and see how various indigenous peoples lived in the hardscrabble rocky terrain of Flagstaff for centuries. You are able to get next to the original structures on the cliffs. You will need to be able to climb up and down hundreds of rocky steps and to not be afraid of walking along cliff edges, many without railings! Spectacular views. The visitor centre on site has a lot of info, fun souvenirs, and clean toilets. Kid friendly with lots of educational experiences, Park Ranger interaction. It's $25 per car to enter. There are discounts for Veterans, Active duty, and senior citizens. Or free if you have National Park Pass. They don't accept cash at the front gate. Just Credit or Debit Cards. That trail is not wheel chair accessible. You must be able to traverse stairs. Bring water, and sun protection. Pets not permitted on trail. read more

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Beautiful national monument! The main attractions of Walnut Canyon National Monument are two trails: the rim trail and the island trail. The rim trail is flat as a pancake and provides nice views of the canyon. The island trail takes you down into the canyon and requires you to grapples with a few hundred stairs to get back out. The island trail is completely paved however. The views in this area are spectacular, and the island trail is worth the trek to examine the cliff dwellings up close. I would recommend Walnut Canyon National Monument if you are visiting Flagstaff and have the time. read more

Amazing park, well worth the price of admission!! I thought I was in good shape but this trail killed us! TAKE BREAKS and drink your water! The elevation is what really hits the hardest, imo. Beautiful representation of the dwellings and watching the turkey vultures circle was intense and awesome! The 'easy' trail of red dirt reminded me of Tsavo East in Kenya, all red dirt! Oh, and Sedona... :) Great souvenirs and the rangers were funny, informative, so nice to talk with. I highly recommend checking this wonderful park out when in Flag.!! read more

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Driving back to the site, I was expecting a nice little nature excursion. What I wasn't expecting was to have my lungs file a formal complaint against me. The visitor center was your standard fare--informative, clean, probably filled with people pretending to read the exhibits while secretly just catching their breath. Then, I caught a glimpse of the canyon from the observation area, and wow... my brain instantly went into "majestic wonder" mode. Then came the hike. Oh, the hike. Walking down the stairs was a breeze--gravity was my friend. The Island Trail was absolutely worth it: stunning views, rich history, and just enough exercise to make me feel like I earned dessert later. But the climb back up? That was a test of willpower. Between the elevation and the stair count, I briefly considered whether I should just live at the bottom of the canyon now. All in all, 10/10 experience--breathtaking views, fascinating history, read more

Amazing national park! Came here a few months ago and it was our second time. The history behind Walnut Canyon is fascinating and the hike is very easy. It's so quiet and tranquil just walking through the canyon and learning about its history. Definitely stop by if you're looking for a short relaxing hike. Word of caution, the stairs are deceiving at first and you will definitely get your stair exercise in! read more

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On my way to the Grand Canyon, I made a stop here at Walnut Canyon National Monument. It is a United States National Monument located about 10 miles southeast of Flagstaff near Interstate 40. This canyon was carved out by Walnut Creek and has an elevation of nearly 7,000 ft. There is a mile long loop trail (Island Trail) that descends 185 ft into the canyon that is accessible through the visitor center at the top. The Sinagua are a pre-Columbian cultural group that lived in Walnut Canyon from about 1100 to 1250 AD. They built 25 cliff dwelling rooms that you can see along the way. I was short on time and didn't make the full descend into the canyon. But the views are amazing from the top. The visitor center is perched on the cliff edge. Inside is a museum, educational material about the canyon, and a gift shop. You can stamp your passport book here as well. read more

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This was our third national monument in one day. It really is great to have the senior pass which saves a lot of money and makes a day like this possible. We did the Island Trail hike which does involve a lot of stairs on the return hike. It was worth the steps to see the cliff dwellings and plant life up close. The scenery is very interesting as is the history. The visitor center is relatively small. This place is close to Flagstaff and worth the short drive. read more

Hands down worth every step if you love all things history, love cool things and are in the shape to do it. This is no joke with 273 stairs and 185 ft elevation gain. If you have knee problems this is not for you. There is only one way up and down and that is stairs. Make sure you bring water and can make it back up to the visitors center. I'm in total awe of the people who lived here. How did they do it? They must've been so strong going up and down these creations. Around every turn you'll see other ruins across the way. There are beautiful views and we saw so many birds who seem to be acclimated to people. Luckily we came on an overcast day which I'm sure helped me get back to the top. I am from the valley and it was still a bit hard for me to catch my breath. I can see the heat being a problem for many in the summer. Come prepared. While only a mile trail the stairs make it challenging. read more

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My BFF and I made a day of Monument-hopping during our time in Arizona because there is quite a good number of them, and we figured it would be good to have a laid back, interesting day, after a couple of days of strenuous (for us) hiking. Walnut Canyons is considered a ruin and was inhabited by indigenous Sinagua people. I previewed photos of the monument on Wikipedia and Google, just so I would know what to expect. But let me tell you, it's far more incredible in person. At the top of the loop, you can see a "zoomed-out" view of the many cliff dwellings, and maybe it's just me, but it's very very cool that people were able to carve out habitats in cliffs, back in 1110-1250 AD. As you walk downward through the loop, you're able to walk through a couple of dozen "rooms" carved out by the Sinagua people - which is pretty neat. We don't really have an opportunity to visit indigenous people's homes back where I'm from, so I found this all very interesting and neat. The loop trail was pretty manageable, but there are stairs upon stairs upon stairs down and then back up (doesn't seem there is wheel chair accessibility) - so that might be a tad challenging for some people. Anyway, should you be in the area and you're interested in visiting ruins, I would definitely put this one at the top of your list! read more

I highly recommend visiting Walnut Canyon NM! It was absolutely gorgeous and not incredibly busy. Also, I recommend watching the 20 minute video they share inside the visitor center. It was incredibly informative and eye opening. If you are in the Flagstaff area, it's worth a trip. read more

This is small but should be a national park. They have one of the most exhilarating side of the cliff hike called island trail. It's several stairs walk down to get to the loop. One way traffic. You get to walk through time and see where Zuni tribe use to live and play. Beautiful and clean. Hawks flying around. Good exercise! Great gift shop with lots of t shirt options. Good amount of books too! Small museum attached with a nice video to introduce you to the area. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. read more

Another unique, beautiful spot on Earth to inspire and bring inner peace in a way that only awesome natural wonders can. Walnut Canyon National Monument has many super interesting things about it - cave dwellings, a super diverse biome due to the rapid change in elevations of the cliff walls, and different levels of trails depending on your expertise and desires. At nearly 7,000 feet above sea level, you will definitely be able to feel the thinner air as you traverse the landscape! We stopped by here after a recent blanket of snow fell and it was really something special (though it was really cold)! Some of the trails were closed due to being frozen over by ice, but there were still several neat viewpoints to go see. The icicles and snow over the cliffs was unique and something we won't soon forget! This was yet another stop on our quest to get as many cancellation stamps in our National Parks Passport as possible, as well as another opporutnity for the kids to get a Junior Ranger badge with this monument on it, to add to their ever-growing collection! If you haven't found out about either of these programs at a National Park or National Monument, I totally recommned that you do so! Ask a ranger and they will tell you all about it. Overall this monument is definitely worth exploring, and a stop even if it is a bit out of the way on your road trip through the Flagstaff area. read more

Walnut Canyon National Monument - View from the viewpoint! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

More National Monuments! This was an impromptu side trip- we had the first half of the week planned out, but the second half was open to whatever. Having passed signs for this park and the Sunset Crater Volcano park- we decided to spend a morning out exploring more parks. This one did not disappoint. We pulled into the visitor center parking lot and directly behind the building is a lookout and the beginning of the "Island" trail down and around a peninsula extending into the canyon. We did the rim loop to see the cliff dwellings instead and saw the pueblo dwellings. One odd thing I noticed was the absence of birds chirping. There didn't seem to be any wildlife within earshot. I pointed it out to John- all you could hear was the gentle wind coming out of the canyon. Maybe it was too early, too chilly? It was a very peaceful way to start our day. read more

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If you are in this area, you need to go visit this treasure. They have a nice visitors center and two trails. One is the rim trail where you stay above the canyon and see the cliff dwellings from that vantage point. The other one is where you go down to the "island" and walk around up close and personal in the dwellings there. It's a 736-step round trip hike, so go prepared. It is amazing to be so close to some actual cliff homes. As you walk on the one-way trail around the island, you get fantastic views of the canyon and other cliff dwellings. read more

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We came here about 11:30am on a Wednesday in January. We originally did not have Walnut Canyon on our list of things to check out while in the area but after visiting Wupatki National Monument the day before we decided to stop in. The Canyon is surprisingly close to Flagstaff and a short drive off I-40. We arrived and there were quite a few cars in the parking lot. We walked to the Visitors Center and were immediately greeted by a friendly park services person. He explained to us there were two trails, the Island trail and the Rim trail. He explained the Island trail was 1 mile in length and had over 700 steps and an elevation of almost 6,700. We decided we would give it a shot and we could turn around if needed. We both felt the trail was very well maintained and taken care of. We began to descend into the canyon and could see the dwellings positioned all over. The views are impressive - the dwellings are impressive - the entire area is IMPRESSIVE. We made our way through the twists and turns of the trails and enjoyed it all even though it was tough coming back up all those stairs but WE MADE IT! The Visitors Center has a nice indoor viewing area of some of the dwellings and a small gift shop. Note: If you have toddlers or young children there are many areas without handrails and it could be potentially dangerous. Also, know your limits. That was a lot of stairs! Great find - highly recommend! read more

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What a difference a day makes. The winds have subsided and it is ten degrees warmer and made for a great day for a hike. There are two main trails, rim and island trail. I do not recommend the later unless you have acclimated to the altitude in Flagstaff. There are about 200 steps each way. I like how the two trails give you very different perspectives. Island Trail descends into the canyon and you come up close to the dwellings. On the rim trail, you get an overview of the entire park and a glimpse at the Francisco Peaks. You see the land deviations where the water use to run. The park offers you the best of two worlds, a look back into history and beauty of nature. Both trails are under a mile. The rangers here were trained well. They took initiative to ask guests if they had any questions. When I left at 10:30AM there were only two parking spots left, but there is overflow parking. read more

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We can't recommend a National Parks Pass more!! It's way less expensive than paying to get in every time. We will say - the parking is limited so don't bring a larger RV/trailer in. While in Northern Arizona on a tour of the national parks/monuments we stopped at Walnut Canyon. This is a MUST see!! The views are amazing and the hike options are great. You can climb down and up the 200+ stairs and go into the canyon a bit or you can walk the fairly smooth rim path. Both routes offer stunning scenery and make for a lovely day. We even went in the rain and it was still super enjoyable! read more

Walnut Canyon National Monument - view from the rim path - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

We heard and learned enough about Native American tibes and culture during our trips, especially this one so we figured why not visit another sacred place, Walnut Canyon National Monument. Once home to the Sinagua people, the cliff dwellings was constructed around 1100 CE and used until around 1250 CE when the inhabitants moved on. * The view from the visitor center was peaceful but not enough for us. We thought going down a few steps to get a closer look of its beauty would be worth it, but next thing we knew, we were already half-way down, so we decided to just finish it! * The Island Trail is a steep 1-mile trail dropping 185 vertical ft into the canyon where cliff dwellings are. The staircase has 273 steps plus 190 stair steps spread out across the loop trail. Parts of it has railings but mostly none. * We honestly loved hiking this trail! Yes, it's challenging, so we thought taking our time and paced ourselves hiking out is best. Because of this, we were able to see 25 cliff dwelling rooms and incredible views of the canyon - also saw other cliff dwelling across the canyon. * WARNING: You're starting the trail at 6,690 ft elevation and has 185 ft elevation loss and gain. Consider your physical condition and altitude sickness before hiking. Going down is optional but returning is mandatory! * For more outdoor adventures, follow @Bodintures read more

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Highly recommended! Hike around the rock and see how they lived many years ago. Still see the smoke stains from the fires that burned long ago. Park staff available to answer all your questions. The stairs back up can be a little challenging for some. read more

Walnut Canyon National Monument - Walnut Canyon - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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Holy cow this place was BEAUTIFUL and breathtaking. Unfortunately the trail we wanted to hike was closed due to the snow/whether but they didn't charge us and we walked the other smaller trail. There was little boards along the trail that had cool facts and information on the surrounding plants and how life was lived. We will absolutely be back when the bigger trail is open that takes you down to view the dwellings. They also have lookouts that you can view down into the canyon and benches to sit and enjoy the views. We cannot wait to come back! read more

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Was recommended by a friend to check this national park and sure didn't disappoint. Great visitor center where you can start a good easy/medium trail. Restrooms are clean too. Can't beat the views here read more

There are many National Parks/Monuments in the Flagstaff area but this was the most interesting.. DON'T be afraid of the 700+ steps to get to the cliff dwellings. Technically you don't have to take the trail with the steps, but I would highly recommend that you do. Unless you're in a wheelchair, the effort to walk down and up (the Island Trail) will be worth it.. There are several benches along the way just in case you need a breather. - I don't want to spoil too much, you can read about the history of the Sinagua people on your visit. But spoiler alert, they were another ancient people that mysteriously vanished.. - Remember, if you have a fourth grader you can access here for free (and all national parks) under the Every kid in a park program". Everykidoutdoors.gov - A good sandwich place to visit before/after is Jitters Lunchbox... read more

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Walnut Canyon is a pictureque site that is much like a mini Grand Canyon. The terrain varies from steep cliffs to deep ravines, with the major feature being the ruins of cliff dwellings. There are a lot of steps, and I wasn't sure I would make it, but the walk makes for great photos and videos. There are two trails, and we opted for the shorter rim trail. It was still very challenging. It felt like a personal achievement that I actually made it up and down all those steps! We brought a giant igloo thermos of really cold water! That helped! We did get to take some pictures of dwellings - which was nice. My husband took the longer island trail and was able to get some better shots. One awesome thing I saw was a bunch of circling hawks. Very cool. read more

When we were in the general area, we consulted Yelp to find a scenic hiking venue - it led us straight to Walnut Canyon. Tip: My friend had just a touch of Acrophobia; it hardly ever bothers him, but after doing just half of the trail here he strongly considered heading back early.  While we didn't turn around with his first ting of Acrophobia, we did end up cutting the day short so that he wouldn't be completely miserable.  On the bright side, the views and scenary here are simply stunning!  On the not-so-bright side, we didn't enjoy them anywhere near as much as we would have liked, and it felt like our $30 entrance fee ($15 each) was mostly wasted. read more

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Walnut Canyon is a cool little place conveniently located just of I-40 outside of Flagstaff. I didn't know much about it before going, but it was cool! The visitors center is on the edge of a canyon and from there and the trail along the canyon rim you can get a great view of the canyon. As you look into the canyon, you'll see small stone structures built into the sides of the cliff face. There's a trail that goes down into the canyon so you can see some of these up close but there's like 200 steps down and of course back up again. We liked Walnut Canyon more than I thought we would despite not getting down into it. I would recommend going here if you have an hour or so to go into the canyon. read more

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