The Walnut Canyon cliff dwellings are only a few miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona.  Take exit 204 off Interstate 40 and drive south a few miles to reach the monument.

     Walnut Canyon offers examples of cliff dwellings, pithouses, and free-standing pueblos.  The people who lived there are known today as Sinagua, Spanish for "without water," a tribute to their ability to turn a relatively dry region into a homeland.  Archeologists and Anthropologists believe the Sinaguans lived in the area for little more than 100 years and then departed before 1250.  It is generally believed they were assimilated into the Hopi culture.  Their homes remained largely undisturbed until the 1880s when the railroad brought souvenir hunters.  Theft and destruction prompted local efforts to preserve the canyon and soon drew national support.  In 1915 Walnut Canyon was declared a National Monument.

Visitor Center sign	Cliff dwelling	Cliff dwelling

     Two paved foot trails begin at the visitor center.  The Island Trail, a 0.9 mile loop, passes 25 of the cliff dwelling rooms and takes you through different plant life zones.  There are steep steps down to the trail and a 185-foot climb (240 steps) back to the canyon rim.  The 0.7 mile Rim Trail overlooks the canyon and passes the ruins of rim top structures.  The park has a picnic area.  For more information, visit their website at:  http://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm

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