Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona

Walnut Canyon National Monument is a site preserving the ancient cliff dwelling abodes of the Sinagua people. It is located in a canyon about 10 miles (16 km) to the southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona.

The cliff dwellings are believed to have been built by the Sinagua people between AD 1100 and 1250, about the same time as the Sinagua sites in nearby Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument. For unknown reasons, the Sinagua abandoned the site around 1250. A few theories have been put forward to their disappearance, attributing it to droughts and hostility of neighboring tribes.

Ancient dwellings of the Sinagua people at Walnut Canyon National Monument
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walnut_Canyon_NM-27527-3.jpg
Author: Ken Thomas


The living quarters of the Sinagua at Walnut Canyon are small but sufficient for cooking and sleeping. The presence of water in the canyon made life possible in this otherwise arid terrain.

Walnut Canyon was made a national monument by President Woodrow Wilson on 30 November, 1915. It covers 3,541 acres (14.33 sq km). On 15 October, 1966 it was added on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visiting Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona

Walnut Canyon National Monument is easily reached from Flagstaff. Take Interstate 40 heading east and follow Exit 204 down Walnut Canyon Rd to the site three miles down the road.

The visitor center is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm MST from November to April and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm MST from May to October. Entrance fee is $5 per individual, valid for 7 days. Free entry for children aged 15 and below.

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