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Walnut Canyon National Monument

Designation: National Monument

Location: Arizona

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. Today the park preserves this landscape, and the ancestral homes in and around the canyon.

🌤 Weather Information

Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. You may expect high winds any time of year, summer temperatures above 95ºF (35ºC), afternoon storms July–September, and heavy snow from fall to spring. Dress in layers, as weather at Walnut Canyon can change quickly at any time of year.

🚗 Directions

Walnut Canyon National Monument is located approximately 7.5 miles (12 km) east of Flagstaff. From Interstate 40, take Exit 204, and turn south. The Walnut Canyon Visitor Center is located at the end of this 3-mile (5 km) road.

Images

Walnut Canyon's cliff dwellings are illuminated by the afternoon sun.

The dynamic landscape of Walnut Canyon was home to a thriving Native American community roughly 900 years ago.

Credit: NPS Photo

sunlight illuminates stone walls in a canyon cliff dwelling

Walnut Canyon National Monument protects a series of ancient cliff dwellings built between 1125 and 1250 CE.

Credit: NPS Photo / Marge Ullmann

a common raven landing on a barren juniper branch

At the rim of Walnut Canyon, visitors stand at eye level with soaring ravens, eagles, and other birds

Credit: NPS Photo / Case Griffing

warm sunlight illuminates a cliff dwelling wall beside a snowy trail

The 0.9-mile (1.4 km) Island Trail leads visitors down 240 stairs to explore 25 cliff dwelling rooms.

Credit: NPS Photo

a visitor looks out over Walnut Canyon from the trail

More than 125,000 people visit Walnut Canyon each year.

Credit: NPS Photo / Case Griffing

a circular overlook at the edge of the canyon rim

The 0.7-mile (1.1 km) Rim Trail reveals expansive views of Walnut Canyon and its cliff dwellings.

Credit: NPS Photo / Marge Ullmann

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday
9:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
This pass covers the pass holder and up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle at Walnut Canyon National Monuments for 1-7 days.
$25.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Admits the passholder and passenger of one motorcycle to Walnut Canyon National Monument for 1-7 days.
$20.00
Entrance - Per Person
Admits one individual bicyclist, hiker, or pedestrian visiting the facility without a private vehicle. Good for Walnut Canyon National Monument for 1-7 days. A pass is not required for individuals 15 or younger.
$15.00
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
Non-commercial groups pay the per person fee up until the cost exceeds that of the commercial rate for the same size vehicle.
$15.00
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
Bona fide educational institutions visiting for non-recreational purposes whose visit pertains directly to established curriculum are exempt from paying entry fees. Apply for an educational fee waiver at least 4 weeks in advance by submitting an educational fee waiver. Please see the below link to access the waiver.
$0.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 1-6 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.
$28.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 7-15 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.
$40.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 16+ individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.
$100.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
Admits the passholder, passenger of one motorcycle, or occupants of a single, non-commercial vehicle at Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki National Monuments for 1 year.
$45.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Thursday, Mar 12

Sunny

Sunny

High: 68.7°F | Low: 43.2°F

Humidity: 31%

Wind: 6.9 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.7

Sunrise: 06:41 AM

Sunset: 06:32 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (44%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 40°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Mar 13

Sunny

Sunny

High: 70.9°F | Low: 47.1°F

Humidity: 27%

Wind: 9.8 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0

Sunrise: 06:40 AM

Sunset: 06:33 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (35%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 42.2°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Mar 14

Sunny

Sunny

High: 62.4°F | Low: 50.3°F

Humidity: 23%

Wind: 23.3 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 4

Sunrise: 06:38 AM

Sunset: 06:33 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (26%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 39.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Holiday Park Hours Park Closure
Walnut Canyon N.M will be closed Christmas Day, December 25th and New Year's Day, January 1st.There is no access to park facilities, viewpoints and trails when the park is closed.

More Info

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Information
Igniting or using fires fueled by combustible materials, that create an open flame, is strictly prohibited. Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or developed site. For details on fire restrictions, visit www.coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions

More Info

Monument Closure on Wed 18, February 2026 due to inclement weather Caution
Walnut Canyon National Monument is closed due to severe winter weather. There is no access to the monument,trails,viewpoints, or facilities during the closure. Caution: Significant impacts to local area travel safety.
The Island Trail is Closed Due to Icy Conditions Information
The Island Trail is currently closed due to icy and snowy conditions.
Island Trail Partial Closure Information
The Island Trail is currently partially closed. Most of the trail remains open and has been temporarily changed from a loop to an out-and-back route. Please plan your visit accordingly.
Island Trail Partially Closed Information
A portion of the Island trail loop is currently closed. The trail has been rerouted as an out and back trail.
The Island Trail is Partially Closed Information
Due to icy conditions, the Island Trail is partially closed. Visitors can do an out-and-back section of the trail, and view many of the cliff dwellings.

Park Events

Poetry of Migration Workshop

A bird walk and poetry workshop hosted by poet Jodie Hollander and park ranger Ryan carpenter at Walnut canyon National Monument. Binoculars and support provided by Western National Parks

Date: May 16, 2026 12:00am to May 16, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
3 Walnut Canyon Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

🏤 Mailing Address:
6400 U.S. 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

📞 Voice Phone: 9285263367

✉️ Email: flag_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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