Worth every single hike For sure not crowded at all. For sure a hidden gem! We did all the ruins we could find and lived them all. Started from Sunset crater side and worked our way around. we had a family of 3 with a 16 yr old who loved it as well. For sure bring water and sun tan lotion!! read more

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The main attraction here is the Wukoki Pueblo which is right behind the visitor center, and also a geological blowhole, from which wind escapes or gets sucked in from a cave system depending on the weather conditions. The day I visited, it was blowing pretty hard, enough to blow away a light jacket. There are also structures located here which are accessible from the road. You can walk right up to them, but be sure to avoid leaning on the wall or picking up artifacts. There were volunteers shoring up Wukoki Pueblo as erosion damages it and they want to preserve it for years to come. It was cool to see them work. The visitor center has a lot of information about the people who lived here, as well as the vibrant trading culture. For example, there were macaws brought here from Central America! There were no horses back then, so all goods were transported by foot. Very impressive. I bought the brochure/travel guide about the park from here as I found that they enriched the visit beyond the informational signs displayed. This is a neat monument that showcases the history of the area. read more

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A great landmark and beautiful piece of history to visit off the beaten path. Wupatki was built by the Native American Hopi tribe. Really take some time to read about them and take it all in prior to taking photos. Quite remarkable the ruins are still standing. The rangers in the front desk were very nice and even gave us a free guide to help you learn while you walk through. Enjoy the site! Do not forget to visit sunset crater down; not to far away. Don't forget this is a National Landmark and included with the America the Beautiful annual pass. read more

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

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Easy and short trail to see the well-preserved ruins, located just behind the visitor center. The pueblo has multiple rooms, a ball court, community room and a natural blowhole. Next stop, took loop road to see sunset crater. read more

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Ancient indigenous pueblos. The exhibit allows you to walk inside of them. There are multiple in this area. Further is the natural 24 mile crack deep in the earth where 30mph wind blows and you can hear it, hence "blow hole." This was fascinating. read more

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Wupatki National Monument was a very beautiful place to visit. Experiencing our ancestors way of life and knowledge that they left behind in their architecture is such an enlightening experience. Off the 89A it is a very easy place to access. A cover charge of $25 will give you access to the Wupatki ruins and Sunset crater. They offer a visiting center and all paved road that will lead you to the ruins and their locations. Easy hikes and plenty of parking. read more

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Wupatki is another national monument in the Flagstaff area that's a surprising gem. If you've stopped at the nearby Sunset Crater NM, you can drive the road through to Wupatki and see the landscape change from volcanic soil to wide open plains with the mountains as the backdrop. Stop at the visitor center to pay your day use fee (or use your National Parks Pass.) While there, you can view exhibits of the park, get info from a ranger and browse a cool little gift shop. The Pueblo dwellings are the draw of the park and there's a large one right behind the visitor center. Afterwards, you can keep going on the park road where well signed markers will point you for turn offs to others structures. Very interesting park not only for the dwellings but to see how the landscape changes and how truly diverse it is. A great way to spend the afternoon is visiting Sunset Crater and driving the road to Wupatki. It takes you all the way through, so you don't have to back track and pops you out at the main road back in to Flagstaff. Interesting and unique national monument. read more

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The was my first visit to Wupatki National Monument. It is a short drive from Flagstaff and Sunset Crater National Monument. The first time that I visited Sunset Crater, I was short on time and didn't have time to come here. But recently, I was able to visit both national monuments. If you want to make it a full day, Walnut Canyon National Monument is also nearby. All three are worth a visit if you are in the Flagstaff area. The main thing to see here at Wupatki is the 104 room pueblo that is over a thousand years old. There are a few other pueblos along the way that you can check out if you are coming from the entrance off the 89 highway. The first stop that I made was Box Canyon where I was able to check out Lomaki Pueblo. You also get a glimpse of Sunset Volcano and the San Francisco Peaks from afar. Not too far away is Nalakihu and Citadel Pueblos, These two pueblos are right next to each other. Wupatki Pueblo is a little more of a drive from these pueblos. If you want to do a mini hike, make a stop over at Doney Mountain Picnic Area and check out the nature walk there. Wupatki Pueblo has a visitor center out front. It is a nice place to check out with exhibits that give information about the area and park rangers on hand to answer questions. You must pay a fee or show your national park pass to enter into the Wupatki Pueblo area. It is less than a half mile walk around the entire site if you want to explore the whole area. Wupatki Pueblo is an impressive site to see and well preserved. It was built on top of a large sandstone pedestal. Next door is a ballcourt and a natural blowhole feature. Wupatki Pueblo was occupied in the early 1100s after the Sunset Crater eruption. The volcanic ash improved agricultural productivity and drew people to this area. The pueblo was abondoned by mid 1200 CE. If you keep driving on the road, you will eventually end up at Sunset Crater National Monument. Along the way is another pueblo called Wukoki that is worth checking out. I really enjoyed my day here. I am glad that I was finally able to check this place out and learn a little more about Arizona's rich history. read more

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Step Back in Time in Northern Arizona Wupatki National Monument is a historical site located north of Flagstaff, Arizona. It is where ancient Anasazi people lived and thrived in the desert. One can see impressive stone structures and learn about a fascinating past. I first visited the site many years ago. It was not well excavated then, and only a few dirt roads led to it. However, that has changed since then. Not only have the roads improved, but they are also much more unearthed. Wupatki means "Tall House" in the Hopi language. It was home to the Ancestral Puebloan people, also known as the Anasazi. They settled here around 500 AD and saw a boom in their community after the Sunset Crater Volcano erupted in the late 11th century, enriching the soil for farming. When I first visited more than twenty years ago, the assumption was that Anasazi people left the region because of the eruption. The main attraction, Wupatki Pueblo, is a large stone building with over 100 rooms, a community room, and a ball court. This pueblo was a central place for trade and gatherings. The ball court is especially interesting as it suggests they had cultural connections with other regional groups. There are other sites within the monument. One is the Lomaki Pueblo, a smaller site with nine rooms on a canyon's edge. Then there is the Citadel Pueblo, positioned atop a hill, offering great views and believed to serve as a lookout. Finally, the Box Canyon Dwellings, built within a canyon, show how the Pueblo people adapted to their environment. The Pueblo people left Wupatki around 1225 AD, but their well-preserved buildings and artifacts remain. Today, various Native American tribes consider Wupatki a sacred ancestral site. You can explore the pueblos at your own pace through self-guided tours. I recommend you start at the visitor center to learn more about the history through exhibits and a short film. For a deeper dive, you may join guided tours and ranger programs to understand the daily lives of the Ancestral Puebloans. Wupatki offers several hiking trails with beautiful views. The Wupatki Pueblo Trail is an easy walk, while the Doney Mountain Trail provides a challenging hike with panoramic views. The monument's diverse ecosystem is home to various plants and animals, including jackrabbits, coyotes, and desert vegetation. You should check the National Park Service website for details on operating hours, entrance fees, and amenities. Whether for a day trip or a longer stay, Wupatki National Monument promises an unforgettable experience. It offers a glimpse into the past and the beauty of the ancient world. It is a historical and cultural treasure. NOTE: Most of the photos I have shared here are from my trips going back 5-10 years. read more

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Visitor center is very informative about the Pueblo and its native people history. Trail begins behind the visitor center. January was a great time to visit, cooler weather and less crowds. read more

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Another great national monument next to Sunset Crater! Good place to stop with lots of history. read more

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

Must stop if you're in the Flagstaff area. Before you even make it into the Monument near the visitors center you are able to see a small fraction of what is to come with the smaller ruins like Citadel Pueblo and Lomaki Pueblo. The sheer fact that any of these structures dating back to the 1100s is so cool and goes to show their capabilities back then. Beautiful place and so much history. They even have some pottery and such see as you walk the paths. Well maintained and accessible with a wheelchair etc . While there are stairs in the area there is a smoothed path running along the back side of the structures. read more

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Very cool place and definitely worth the visit on your trip in Arizona. We only had time to visit one Pueblo bit the monument has 5 Pueblo sites to visit in total. Don't forget to stop by the visitor station for a map of the sites. The site at the visitor station was pretty awesome. (See pics) Also, don't forget to pick up the $2 book that explains about the Pueblo. It's like your tour guide. read more

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Amazingly preserved ancient Indian ruins. It is a national park and charges $25 per group/carload, free with All Access pass. Drive the Loop road back through the awe inspiring lava fields and cones. Camping also available off the 89A entrance. read more

This is at the end of a two lane loop road. A NPS entrance at both ends. We have the lifetime USN pass for all parks. That's 25.00 we don't pay to enter. The ruins are a engineering marvel considering the WHEN factor. And the cement made from the red earth and water are still holding the very similar size plank stones in place. This is just one of many stone sites with door and window openings. Many original, 1000 years old grinding mortars are still visible here and there. A step back in time. read more

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

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A not-well-known indigenous ruin located in the Wupatki National Monument and run by the National Park Service. If you don't have a national park pass, you will be charged per person to visit this ruin, which is only accessible through the manned visitor's center. If you bring proof of veteran status, you + 3 guests can visit for free. Most of this building is recreated from ruins. There is a nice paved walking path that loops from the visitor center, around the ruins, down to the ball court and to the "blow hole" - a vent that blows cold air from some sort of underground cave area under this area. Be careful as there are stairs, lots of wind and this is a snake-filled area. You must be able to climb stairs to go up to the ruins. There are free Junior Ranger program books and badges for those who complete their book in the visitor center. Visited: May 2023 read more

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Cool pueblos in surprisingly good condition! Wupatki National Monument features access to a number of ruins of pueblos in addition to the Wupatki pueblo. There are signposts providing a fair number of facts at each stop. The views from the pueblos are particularly striking in the open country. I found it interesting to get a sense of the lives of the people who used to live in these dwellings. I would recommend Wupatki National Monument to both people who enjoy scenic views and people who have an interest in the history of the region. read more

This was the second of three National Monument we visited in one day. It was interesting to walk through and see the different ruins and to learn the history. We really liked the vent at the main ruin that shoots cold air through the earth. We stopped at a couple of the other pueblos. The scenery was great. The winds were fierce so it made it a real struggle in these wide open areas. The one visitor center ranger was one of the friendlier of the parks we were at on this day. I was surprised that some were not that helpful or good at answering questions. We've been to many dozens of National Parks & Monuments and this seemed like a first where I found the rangers to be below average. It is worth a trip here if you are going to be visiting the nearby Grand Canyon. read more

Everything about this place is amazing. I could spend the day there just looking at everything. It's 2 5 admission for adults, prices are on their website somewhere. If you go, please don't litter or destroy anything. This is a nice treasure. read more

Wupatki National Monument - Going up the path to the monument. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Wutpaki National Monument is a pretty cool stop to make on a road trip to the Grand Canyon. It is tucked away between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona. Wupatki was a thriving community in the early 1100s during a time period of cooler temperatures and wetter seasons, which allowed for thousands of people to live here, who were the ancestors of the the Hopi people.  Now it is a pretty desolate desert which can make for a beautiful drive if that's your sort of thing. There are numerous different pueblos to see and some of them you can view up close. They can get super hot so make sure you come out here when the temperatures are cooler. The trails are extremely well maintained and have the Red Rock color which can be pretty neat. Another good thing is if you are a fan of the National Park passport program, you can get a cancellation stamp here to add to your collection. Five stars of National Park goodness! read more

Wupatki National Monument - The Old Pueblo with over 100 rooms! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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We did the driving loop. It's about 30mins apart driving. $25 entrance fee per car and you can enter through Sunset Crater entrance or Wupatki entrance. The Sunset Crater Volcano opens 24/7 and the Wupatki entrance is from sunrise to sunset. We came in from Sunset Crater Volcano entrance and stoped there for 15 mins before taking the 30 mins drive to Wupatki. If you come from Sunset Crater then you will approach Wupatki before the Visiting Center. You take a right and go down about a mile and you'll see the parking lot. We were the only ones there and it was super quiet and peaceful. Very spiritual and should take a moment to meditate. I felt a sense of calmness here unlike the crater. There are dirt paved walkways but once you approach the Pueblo, there are stairs and it's not so easy getting up without assistance. I had to help my elderly mom in her 70s to get up safely. There are no food eateries, gas stations, or hang out spots. The nice restrooms are at the Visitor Center at both places and the portable ones at both parking lots. Bring your passport to collect the passport stamps at the Visitor Center. read more

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We stopped here on our way to Flagstaff from Page, AZ in January. As soon as you turn off Hwy. 89 there is a directional sign letting you know the monument is 13 miles on a well maintained paved road. (This is the entrance further north on Hwy 89). We decided to take the time to enjoy the quiet drive. I had a colleague recommend the stop when he knew I would be in the area. Arriving at the Visitor's Center we were greeted by a friendly gentleman who accepted my "America the Beautiful" military pass as payment. We were provided a booklet to take down to the monument which he told us was about a 1/2 mile walk. The trail is well kept and allows you to stroll down to the overlook which is beautiful. As you proceed closer to the pueblos it was incredible to see the craftsmanship and detail of those who built and lived there between 1000 and 1100 A.D. You could spend anywhere from 20-60 minutes depending on how much time you have and there is a small gift shop where they have some nice souvenirs as well. Definitely recommend! read more

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*Check out the Wupatki Spirit Totem (on the way, on highway 89). *Do not miss the blowhole. Walk to the right of the dwellings and you'll see a sign. It's located right next to the ball court, possibly functioning like a pre-Columbian air conditioner. I've never seen anything like it. I don't fully understand how it works but it has something to do with air temperature and its effects on the movement of air (there is a cavern underground and air either escapes to/from it). So, depending on when you come, it'll either suck or blow. Very cool. It's a relatively quick stop. There are no lengthy walking trails, just short paths around the dwellings. We saw Wupatki, Sunset Crater, and Walnut Canyon in one afternoon. I recommend the annual pass but there might be a discount if you're visiting all three. read more

This is yet another gem to visit while in the Flagstaff area. A short trail takes you to a fairly small pueblo ruins where you can walk through it and around it. Then by the visitor's center there is a much larger village ruins with a trail around it, including several rooms and a ball court. There was even a blowhole that you can feel air coming out of if you're there at the right time. A very interesting spot to visit. read more

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Two primary sections. The southern entrance has two to three short trails in the lava overflow area. Dark crusted earth in contrast to the snowy mountains. Note there is NO access to the actual Sun Crater. You can view it at the base from afar at a viewing platform. The northern section is 20 plus miles away. A drive through barren land until you near the second visitor center. The Wupatki trail has one of the largest well preserved villages I have encountered. If you stop by the desk, they give you a map of numbered sections of interest. The other pueblos are not as interesting. A lot of driving if you want to do both and prepare for lots of sun exposure, so start early if attempting both spots. read more

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Drove to Flagstaff, Arizona on our 1st day. Since we got there a few hours early before check-in, we drove North of US-89 towards the east of Grand Canyon South. 26 miles up, make a right into Loop Road and you'll see the sign. Once a busy hub of trade and life, Wupatki National Monument is now a quiet preserved Puebloan village. It is not silent as it seems - walls can talk. You see mostly dirt but listening to the wind can teach many things. * The trails are all easy and short leading to different pueblos and are roughly between 0.2 - 0.5 miles roundtrip. We visited Lomaki Pueblo, Box Canyon Pueblo, Citadel Pueblo and Wukoki Pueblo. (Wuptaki Pueblo, Wukoki Pueblo, and Nalakihu Pueblo all have parts that are wheelchair accessible) * If you're interested in Indian ruins and happen to be in Flagstaff, Arizona, a half day visit to Wupatki National Monument is enough to see all the pueblos. * For more outdoor adventures, follow Bodintures2 read more

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The Wupatki dwellings are located about 20 miles past sunset crater but still within the same park. There are a few different Hopi dwellings and information about each one. It was a really beautiful and spiritual experience to see. Really amazing to see how these buildings were put together without any modern technology. The mud between the bricks and the way they were laid is really neat to see. Definitely worth a view to see on its own or when visiting sunset crater!! read more

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A beautiful place to visit! We had only planned on doing Walnut Canyon today, but decided to do the loop to Sunset Crater and then Wupatki. We were blown away by the beauty here. Chatted with two very friendly park rangers and were surprised at how close you can get to the pueblos. The trails are really well maintained. This is a must see! read more

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My dearest Wupatki: a hidden gem that should receive more visits than the Grand Canyon. There is a rich history here, a sacredness that whispers across the land. read more

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Best experience i've had in a while. It's best to come on a holiday since the entrance is free. read more

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Well organized and staffed historic site. In COVID times, masks are required at all times. There are nice restroom facilities and a gift shop. I really expected the structure to be larger! There was a wind warning the day I visited and that made it cold. Cannot imagine a people flourished under such harsh conditions. I didn't walk around the site, but plan 30-30 minutes if you do! read more

Wupatki National Monument - Pano - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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Really nice day trip a quick 40 minute drive from Flagstaff. You can see Native American ruins and get a sense of how life was here

Well worth the drive. Here, you can see a Hopi/Zuni tribe pueblo. It's a 10-15 minute walk from the visitor site to get to the dwellings. They're well preserved and a really cool thing to see. There are park rangers present to explain more things if you're interested as well. Take the drive out here; you might just learn one or two things. read more

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Love all of the natural ruins at Wupatki, especially the less visited Citadel and Nalakihu on the northwest side of the monument boundary, perfect for Social Distancing during COVID. The park is hot in the summer but fall and winter are excellent times to visit and your park pass also gets into Sunset Crater so you can make a day of it driving the Loop Road and stopping for various hikes. read more

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We had a get together of old friends in Flagstaff and were looking for things to do. One of our group had lived in Flagstaff during college and recommended that we see this place as one of our top 4 or 5 things to see while here. So off we went. The trails are very well maintained and are easy to follow. A big plus for many people is that it's an easy walk. You can easily walk the entire trail in 30 minutes. Wupatki was first inhabited probably around 500 AD. It is a multistory pueblo dwelling with over 100 rooms, a community room, and the northernmost ball-court ever discovered in North America. They had some theories on what went on in the ball-courts. This site also contains a geological blowhole, from which wind escapes from a cave system. The wind blows hard enough that it was able to float my baseball cap. Will I return? Most definitely when in the area! read more

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very interesting. loved the history. do bring water maybe even an umbrella for the sun. reatrooms available. Be aware parking pass required. read more

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This was a really cool experience. You get to see multiple pueblos going down the road to the actual Wupatki National Monument. They are all well preserved considering the age, they have a lot of educational information along the walking paths to each one as well. There's no shade on any of the trails so I would definitely recommend wearing a hat, sunscreen, and UV blocking clothes if you have them! Also bring a lot of water if you are going to visit in the summer. This is a great historical and cultural stop for adults alone and families with kids!! Will recommend to others! read more

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Wupatki is a collection of Native American settlements that were inhabited in the 1100s, about 100 years after the volcanic eruption at the nearby Crater National Monument. It is striking to see the current settlement locations and think that early inhabitants decided to live there. There are very few trees and almost no water. I wonder how much the local geography has changed since the 1100s. It would seem much more reasonable to start a village near a stream or a forest where the wood could be used for housing or fire. The historical markers near the ruins did mention that the soil was more fertile immediately after the volcanic eruption. Ash from the eruption held water better than the current rocky, red soil, which only seems to support barren desert bushes. The ruins are very well maintained and include historical context for what the rooms may have been used for and how they were built. I especially liked the draft system used to pull smoke out of the room and the carbon dating on the wood beams to indicate specific periods of development and home renovations. read more

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We did not realize how big this location is. We wanted to catch the sunset but didn't realize how far some of the point are within the area. Thankfully we got a good view at Lomaki point which was a recommendation when I called to see if they were open after 4. You definitely need to set aside a lot of driving time if you plan on going all the way in. I think it was almost 30 miles to the visitor center. The ruins at Lomaki we're pretty impressive. Sunset was very cool from that location. read more

Great little national monument that is we visited during our loop around the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. Starting in Flagstaff, we visited the Canyon first and then stopped here on our way back as part of that loop. For the Hopi Indians, Wapatki means "Tall House". Following the eruption(s) of the nearby Sunset (now) Crater in the 11th century, the resulting ash fall turned the area into very fertile soil for agriculture. Growing corn and squash, the persisted till around 1225. However, many of the structures they built are left behind. Whats also interesting is that despite its seemingly remote location, it was a bit fo a trade hub with items from far away areas being found during excavations For myself, I often prefer to explore national Monuments whenever possible. Don't get me wrong, the National Parks are amazing, but I find the Monuments to be massively less crowded, less developed, and easier to get around in. Wupatki is no different. As I noted above it was part of our giant loop from Flagstaff. The loop road runs right off of Hwy 89. It loops through the Monument and through the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. For us we spent so much time looking the ruins it was dark so we only got cursory views of the Sunset Crater. There are a multitude of ruins that dot the loop road and all within an easy hike from the road. The structures themselves are quite impressive and given how old they are you really have to give it to the builders. The red flagstone really stands out in the desert. We often had the ruins to ourselves and we saw at most 3 other cars during our time there. There is a visitors center well into the park, but it was closed when we got there. However, next to the center is what was a large settlement. Houses to even recreational areas were part of this. read more

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