It’s easy to think about the diversity of homes today scattered all across the country with example like condos, 2-story family homes, high rise flats, townhomes, cottages, or even large farms. Can you imagine living on the side of a cliff? That’s exactly how the inhabitants of Walnut Canyon lived hundreds of years ago and you can go for a visit as you take a walk through the canyon.
Things to Remember
- Water
- Snacks
- Hiking Shoes
- Check the Weather
The Steps
You’re ready to go and see these cliff homes, right? You’ll have to take a hike on the Island Trail to get there. It is 1 mile (round-trip), strenuous, and 736 steps. Yea, you read that right…seven hundred and thirty-six steps. 368 on the way down. 368 on the way up. Don’t let that scare you away though.
You’ll begin your hike just past the visitor center. At the top, take in the beautiful view of the canyon. You’ll get your first glimpse of all those steps here and you’ll see that it’s not so bad. There are plenty of places to sit and rest or grab a drink of water on your way down. As you go, you’ll notice some informational signs. DON’T LOOK AT THEM!!! Not yet anyway.
Cliff Dwellings
At last, what you came for – the cliff dwellings. These truly are remarkable homes that have been built, quite literally, on the side of a cliff. As the loop trail takes you around, you’ll see 25 dwellings. Don’t forget to look across the canyon for a few more. This was a beautiful community full of history. Also, take some time to look up. You’ll notice some truly unique “upside-down” plants growing. There is a lot of plant life here! You can find out more about that RIGHT HERE
Now it’s time to make your way back up those steps. Remember those informational signs you passed, LOOK AT THEM NOW!!! You’ll want plenty of reasons to stop for a rest on the way back to the visitor center. Reading the signs on the way back up forces you to stop, take a drink of water, and rest a moment. You’ll thank yourself for it. Need more info about the trail? Find it HERE
Extra Notes about Walnut Canyon
If you’re looking for some additional activity at the canyon, try the Rim Trail, do some birding, or check out the back patio at the visitor center. Need a place to camp? While there is no camping at this National Monument, you can stay at Bonito Campground which is just a short 30 minute drive. This USFS campground is by Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, another great place to check out.
Consider the Wonders is a travel blog intended for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV, travel, or hiking experts and are not making recommendations. These are our opinions and you should do your own research and make your own decisions.
Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with Walnut Canyon National Monument, Flagstaff Area National Monuments, or the National Park Service.
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