Walnut Canyon National Monument

A Hidden Gem on the Road: Walnut Canyon National Monument During a road trip, we discovered Walnut Canyon National Monument by surprise, and it turned out to be a truly beautiful and unexpected place. It's a slice of nature that hides from the highway, revealing a spectacular landscape with ancient ruins. A Place to Explore and Enjoy: The park is very well-organized and maintained. The facilities are clean, including the restrooms, and the staff is very friendly. Although it was a quick visit for us, we realized it's a place where you can stay as long as you like. There's a picnic area with breathtaking views of the canyon, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The site has a visitor center, a souvenir shop, and, most notably, trails that lead down into the canyon. These paths allow visitors to get a closer look at the ruins, which are like "houses" built into the canyon walls by past civilizations. Although we didn't have time to do these hikes, they looked safe and well-marked. A Worthwhile Destination: In summary, Walnut Canyon National Monument is a tranquil and beautiful place that is definitely worth visiting. It's a perfect addition to a road trip and a gem we hope to explore with more time in the future.

This was one of our favorite stops on this trip. The views from the visitors center are very good. We took the walk to the bottom of the canyon it was very cool but very strenuous. There were a lot of stairs. We made it fine but had to take our time. The staff in the visitors center were very friendly and informative. They gave Thomas an application to fill out on the tour. Then he was swore in as a Jr Ranger. He was very excited. I would recommend the hike if you are able. It was a beautiful place, and you get to see ruins up close. There is an easier trail along the rim with great views from a distance if you are unable or short on time for the canyon trail.

The history here is incredible, what a great place to visit. You need to know that it is not a quick in and out if you want to hike the whole trail, and there are a billion, or maybe 10 billion stairs. 😄 But it really is a good hike, read up on it a bit before you go so you can see the significance of this awesome place. The visitors center has restrooms, information, and a small gift shop. There is the Rim trail also which is shorter and flat, in case the stairs are an issue. Plenty of parking too, I highly recommend.

Wulnut Canyon was a surprise for me and I would recommend to visit this place. Amazing walk and tour through the Canyon. There's a parking place on the front and you pay the National Park entrance fee what is valid for next 7 days if you visit again or other things in National Park. It's not valid for the Grand Canyon, you pay for that separately.

The rangers and volunteers here are so kind and sweet. Loved this park so much. Love that its less crowded too. Ive been to a few with native dwellings. I plan to see all of them. This one is in the top 3. Beautiful views.

Absolutely beautiful place! The scenery is breathtaking and the trails are very well maintained. A special thank you to Ranger Lucy — she was so kind, caring, and incredibly patient with us, even though we arrived about 20 minutes before closing time. She took the time to explain everything clearly and made us feel so welcome. Her dedication truly made our visit extra special. Highly recommend visiting this gem!

What a beautiful look into the region's past! The Island Trail provided stunning views of the canyon and incredible up-close looks at ancient cliff side homes. Walnut Canyon is an unforgettable place to visit!

Absolutely stunning! The hike through Walnut Canyon is an unforgettable experience. The Island Trail takes you right past ancient cliff dwellings—you can almost feel the history around you. The views from both the trail and the rim are breathtaking, with layers of canyon walls, pine trees, and distant desert landscapes. It’s amazing to think people lived in those stone dwellings centuries ago. The trail has stairs and a bit of elevation change, but it’s totally worth it. A perfect mix of nature, history, and awe-inspiring scenery. Highly recommend this stop if you’re anywhere near Flagstaff