Walnut Canyon National Monument

00:00     Title
00:18     Rim Trail
05:24     Island Trail

​Walnut Canyon National Monument is only about a 90 minute drive from the Grand Canyon South Rim, yet this destination is rarely crowded. Walnut Canyon is located just a few miles east of Flagstaff on Route 66 and the Winona sign is the exit ramp to look for. Walnut Canyon was once a Route 66 attraction back in the old days and it still is in modern times. 

Shortly after the wild west was settled and the railroad came through, dubious characters started heading west to make money the easy way. Treasure hunting for ancient native relics became a pastime, because the fat cats back east were willing to pay high prices for ancient artifacts. As a result, countless numbers of ancient pueblos were ravaged and the ancient heritage sites at Walnut Canyon were a prime target. Walnut Canyon became a national monument in 1915 and thanks to federal protection the integrity of the remaining ancient pueblo structures have been preserved. 

Walnut Canyon National Monument is not a large place, so it only takes about one day to explore the entire park. Parking can be found next to the visitor center, which is where both the Rim and Island Trailheads are located. The visitor center is also a museum that houses many interesting ancient artifacts left behind by the Sinagua People. The exhibits also depict the complete history and timeline of the Sinagua occupation of Walnut Canyon. The information about the Sinagua culture and the dry farming techniques that they employed will provide answers for many questions that will arise when walking the trails.

Of the two foot trails, the Rim Trail is by far the easiest because this trail goes over level high ground. The entire pathway is paved, so those who have mobility challenges can take in the scenic views. There are park benches and picnic areas along the trail and visitors can turn this short hike into a relaxing afternoon nature watching venture. Some of the ancient pueblos can be seen on the other side of the canyon, but strong binoculars or a telephoto lens will be needed for better views.

As the Rim Trail starts to loop back toward the visitors center, it enters a pine forest and this is where a few more interesting ancient archaeological sites can be found. There is an ancient pit house and a pueblo foundation along this trail that are well worth checking out. There also are ancient sites that lie in state, which look like ordinary piles of rock to untrained eyes.

The Island Trail is the main attraction at Walnut Canyon National Monument. This trail first goes down a series of steep staircases. The multiple flights of stairs are challenging when hiking back up to the top, which is something to keep in mind if you have physical limitations. Near the bottom of the forested canyon, the path does a complete loop around an island bluff that was the home of a large population in ancient times. The remnants of dozens of cliff dwelling structures can be viewed along the Island Trail. The total length of the loop is only one and a half miles.

The weather can add a dramatic effect when hiking the Island Trail and overcast conditions are best for spotting the many small pueblo structures on the surrounding canyon walls. The remains of several ancient stone block and mortar structures immediately come into view on the distant ledges and there are a lot of subtleties to be noticed. After catching the first glimpse, every few steps will reveal more evidence of the ancient Sinagua Civilization, so it is best to just plan on going at a snail's pace. The Island Trail truly is a fascinating visual experience, especially if you are into tracing footsteps of the past!