Wupatki National Monument

Home to Prehistoric Anasazi and Sinagua Farmers

Overview | Climate/Map | Description | Things to Do | Where to Stay | Nearby


Wupatki National Monument

Situated in the rain shadow of Arizona's San Francisco Peaks, Wupatki National Monument was once home to prehistoric Anasazi and Sinagua farmers and traders -- the Hisatsinom, as their Hopi descendants call them. Today, this 54 square mile monument preserves many free-standing masonry pueblos, field houses, rock art, pottery, baskets and tools -- extraordinary evidence of a varied and complex lifestyle. Altogether, more than 2,700 archaeological sites have been cataloged at Wupatki National Monument. Read more about the history and buildings of the monument here.

General Information

Rates & Fees

There are many levels of fees. Check the park's site for current entry costs.

Seasons / Hours

The park is open year round. The Visitor Center is open daily (except Christmas Day). The dwellings are open dawn-to-dusk. Note: Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time year round.

Visitor Center

Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Facilities/Features

Stores/Museums
The Visitor Center has museum exhibits and educational materials for sale.

Programs & Events

Crack-in-Rock Hikes: Weekends in April and October.  Two day ranger guided backpacking trips into an isolated area of Wupatki National Monument to Crack-in-Rock which is a 12th century ancestral Puebloan site located on a mesa top.  The hike includes visits to rock art sites.

This hike is strenuous – over challenging terrain. There are no trails. Participants are selected through a lottery system.

For details and to sign up, call 928-679-2365.

Guided Tours: Guided hikes are offered October through April.

The park says, "Guided Discovery Hikes take place on Saturdays throughout the winter. Discover the archaeological sites, petroglyphs, geology, flora, and fauna that make Wupatki National Monument a beautiful place. Hikes are 2- 3 miles on moderate terrain. Wupatki is typically 10 degrees warmer than Flagstaff. Wear hiking boots and dress in layers. Bring a snack and at least 2 quarts of water.  All hikes leave from the Wupatki Visitor Center at 12 p.m. Reservations are required, and group size is limited to 12 people. Please call 928-679-2365 to reserve a spot."

Food/Supplies
There are picnic areas, but no other services in the monument. There are a small selection of snacks available at the Visitor Center, and vending machines with snacks and drinks are located behind it as well. Overnight accommodations, food, supplies and gasoline are available in Flagstaff (33 miles/53 km). Flagstaff Visitor Center: 1-800-842-7293.

Accessibility
The Visitor Center and Wupatki Ruin Trail, to the overlook, are accessible. Accessible restrooms are at Lomaki, Doney Picnic Area, Wupatki and Wukoki

Camping & Lodging

There is no lodging, camping or overnight parking in the monument. U.S. Forest Service and private campgrounds are located in and around Flagstaff. There are hotels and motels in Flagstaff with something for every taste and price range. For more information and a complete list, click here for rates, availability and reservations online.

Precautions, Rule s, Regulations

It is the visitor's responsibility to know and obey park rules. Regulations are designed for visitors' protection and to protect natural resources.

  • All vehicles, including bicycles, must remain on designated roadways. Always use designated parking areas; never stop in the roadway.
  • Observe posted speed limits - park roads are not designed for speed. Enjoy the scenery safely. Slow down at dawn and dusk and watch for animals.
  • Buckle up. Seat belts are required by law.
  • Do not feed wildlife. Avoid contact with rodents. The white-footed deer mouse is a carrier of hantavirus and prairie dogs can carry plague.
  • Poisonous snakes and insects are common but not aggressive. Keep a safe distance. This is their home and they are protected.
  • All natural resources, animals, plants, and rocks are protected. Look, but do not take.
  • Hunting is prohibited in the monument. Federal law prohibits firearms inside federal facilities and on certain trails in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.
  • Pets are not allowed in buildings, on trails, or tied to fixed objects. They may be exercised in parking areas on a leash. Summer temperatures may be fatal to pets in closed vehicles.

Park Address
Flagstaff Area National Monuments
6400 N. Hwy 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone (928) 679-2365

 

 

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