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a large stone pueblo in a desert beneath mostly sunny skies with mountains in background Photo: NPS

Wupatki National Monument

National Monument · Arizona

Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community.

Plan your visit Directions
  • LocationFlagstaff, AZ
  • Entrance $25 private vehicle
  • HoursDaily, Sunrise to Sunset
  • Weather now78°F Sunny
  • Alerts 2 active alerts

The early 1100's marked a time of cooler and wetter weather, when the ancestors of contemporary Pueblo communities created a bustling center of trade and culture. For indigenous peoples, these sites represent the footprints of their ancestors.

Topics
  • Animals
  • Archeology
  • Birds
  • Geology
  • Native American Heritage
  • Ruins
  • Wilderness
a man and woman walking toward a three-story sandstone tower
Wukoki Pueblo is located three miles from the Wupatki Visitor Center. — NPS Photo / Elliot Schultz

Alerts (2)

Park ClosureRoad Closure: Sunset Crater Volcano September 21 through October 21 Beginning September 21, Forest Road 545 will close to all vehicle traffic starting near the intersection with Highway 89… Read more

Beginning September 21, Forest Road 545 will close to all vehicle traffic starting near the intersection with Highway 89A to the Sunset Crater Volcano entrance kiosk for culvert work. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument remains OPEN and accessible via Forest Road 545 through Wupatki National Monument. Plan for extra travel time—the drive between visitor centers is about 19 miles/30 minutes. The road is expected to reopen October 22.

More on NPS.gov
InformationWupatki VC Phone Outages The main phone line for the visitor center experiences occasional outages. Please email FLAG_Information@nps.gov if you… Read more

The main phone line for the visitor center experiences occasional outages. Please email FLAG_Information@nps.gov if you have trouble getting through on the main number.

Things to Do

9 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.

  • The remains of a small stone pueblo on the top of a small red sandstone hill.

    Antelope House Ranger-Led Hike

    Reservation required Fee applies

    The Antelope House Hike is a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the backcountry of Wupatki with a ranger and see excellent examples of Ancestral Puebloan structures and scenic views within…

    • Winter, Spring, Fall
    • Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center
    • Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
    Learn more
  • A partial sandstone pueblo on top of a rock outcrop with grassy hills in the distance.

    Crack-In-Rock Ranger-Led Hike

    Reservation required Fee applies

    Crack-In-Rock hikes are led by park staff and are only accessible by reservations offered by the park. This strenuous hike provides an opportunity to visit Ancestral Puebloan structures and view…

    • 6-8 Hours
    • Spring
    • Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center
    • Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
    Learn more
  • The remnants of a sandstone and basalt pueblo structure with volcanic hills in the background.

    East Mesa Ranger-Led Hike

    Reservation required Fee applies

    The East Mesa Hike is a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the backcountry of Wupatki with a ranger and see excellent examples of Ancestral Puebloan structures, petroglyphs, and artifacts.

    • 2-4 Hours
    • Winter, Spring, Fall
    • Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center
    • Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
    Learn more
  • The remnants of a tan stone pueblo structure surrounded by yellow grasses and juniper trees.

    Kaibab House Ranger-Led Hike

    Reservation required Fee applies

    The Kaibab House Hike is a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the backcountry of Wupatki with a ranger and see excellent examples of Ancestral Puebloan structures, petroglyphs, and…

    • 3-5 Hours
    • Winter, Spring, Fall
    • Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center
    • Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
    Learn more

Showing 4 of 4

All 19 activities in the park

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Facilities & Services

Find tours, tickets and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Tours & Tickets

  • Wupatki National Monument Crack-in-the-Rock Overnight Hike Lottery

    Ticket Facility

    Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona Wupatki seems like an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. In the early 1100s…

    WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT CRACK-IN-THE-ROCK OVERNIGHT HIKE LOTTERY, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 928-679-2365 Directions

    Details

    Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona Wupatki seems like an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. In the early 1100s during a time period of cooler temperatures and wetter seasons the ancestors of contemporary Pueblo communities created a bustling center of trade and culture. For many Indigenous communities these sites represent the footprints of their ancestors.  

    The roundtrip hike to Crack-in-Rock Pueblo and the nearby rock art is a two-day backpacking trip in an isolated area of Wupatki National Monument. Crack-in-Rock is a 900 year old Ancestral Puebloan site located on a mesa top. Numerous archeological sites are located along the way. These and other features will be discussed by the Wupatki National Monument staff members leading the hike. 

    The hike is approximately 18-20 miles round-trip over rough desert terrain at an elevation of approximately 4,500-4,900 feet. The route is cross-country; there is no designated trail. Hiking surfaces are uneven and vary from loose cinder to sandstone and limestone outcrops and talus slopes. Although overall elevation gain or loss is minimal, portions of the route include hiking in and out of washes and hilly areas. Please note that this is a rigorous hike over difficult terrain. There is minimal shade along the way. The vegetation, although sparse in many locations, can be thorny and sharp.

Other Visitor Services

  • Visitor Center front entrance

    Wupatki Visitor Center

    Facility

    The Wupatki Visitor Center includes a museum, WNPA park store, park film, and restroom facilities. The building features architecture from the Mission 66 era. Park…

    25137 N. Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Rd., Flagstaff, AZ (928) 679-2365 Directions

    Details
    The Wupatki Visitor Center includes a museum, WNPA park store, park film, and restroom facilities. The building features architecture from the Mission 66 era. Park rangers are present, passes are available for purchase, and Junior Ranger activities are available.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Daily, Sunrise to Sunset · Park Hours

Hours details
  • Park HoursDaily, Sunrise to Sunset

    The Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center is open 9:00AM to 4:30PM MST March 8th- November 1st. The visitor center is closed Tuesdays through Thursdays November 2nd- march 7th and is closed for December 25th and January 1st. Trails to Wupatki, Wukoki, Citadel, Nalakihu, Box Canyon, and Lomaki Pueblos are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

    MondaySunrise to Sunset
    TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
    WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
    ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
    FridaySunrise to Sunset
    SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
    SundaySunrise to Sunset

Entrance fees

  • $25Private Vehicle
  • $20Motorcycle
  • $15Per Person
All 9 fees & details
  • Private Vehicle$25

    This fee covers the occupants of one private vehicle for seven days at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.

  • Motorcycle$20

    Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers to both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.

  • Per Person$15

    This fee covers entry for one bicyclist or pedestrian for seven days at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.

  • Non-commercial Groups$15

    Non-commercial groups are charged the per-person entrance fee of $15 for all persons 16yrs and over, not to exceed the commercial rate for the size of vehicle entering the monument.

  • Education/Academic GroupsFree

    Educational groups visiting the monument for a curriculum related visit should apply for an Academic Fee Waiver. If no fee waiver is obtained, educational groups will be charged as non-commercial groups.

  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan$28

    This fee covers the occupants of one commercial sedan for one day at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.

  • Commercial Entrance - Van$40

    This fee covers the occupants of one commercial van for one day at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.

  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100

    This fee covers the occupants of one commercial bus for one day at both Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.

  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$100

    https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Passes

  • $45Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
  • 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.

Address

25137 N. Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Get directions Map & directions info

Contact the park

Weather & conditions

78°F
Sunny · feels like 73°
  • Today 78° 52°
    Sunny
    2% rain
  • Tomorrow 77° 57°
    Sunny
    1% rain
  • Sunday 81° 64°
    Sunny
    1% rain

Updated 40 min ago

What to expect by season

Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. You may expect high winds any time of year, summer temperatures above 100ºF (38ºC), afternoon thunderstorms July–September, and occasional snow in winter and early spring. Dress in layers, as Wupatki weather can change quickly at any time of year. For current weather please visit https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/weather.htm

Photos

  • Walls of a white limestone and red sandstone structure under light blue skies with white clouds.
    Lomaki means "beautiful house" in the Hopi language. The pueblo is located ten miles from the visitor center and is reachable via a short, 0.5 mile trail. — NPS
  • stars and the Milky Way galaxy over a desert juniper tree
  • Side view of the Nalakihu and Citadel Pueblos

Getting There

25137 N. Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments are connected by loop road FR-545 (paved). Visitors can enter the loop road near mile markers 430 (Sunset Crater Volcano) and 444 (Wupatki) on U.S.

Full directions

Highway 89.

Get directions NPS directions Official NPS site

Mailing address: 6400 U.S. 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

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