Striking contrast of red rocks and blue sky at Wupatki Pueblo

Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

on a 4-Star Scale

The Monument Wupatki NM protects several Sinaguan Indian ruins 26 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona on US 89.

Our Visit We visited Sunset Crater Volcano NM and Wupatki NM on the way to the Grand Canyon in March 2004 as part of our 8-Park southwest tour.

Our Weather Beautiful day.   Partly cloudy and about 80 degrees

Overall Impression Wupatki, situated between the Coconino National Forest and the Navajo Indian Reservation, is an interesting combination of red rocks, scrub trees and well preserved ruins.  A trip to Wupatki offers visitors a chance to climb in and around many ruins sites in a setting very different from those of nearby Montezuma Castle and Walnut Canyon.

Visiting Plan on spending 1 to 2 hours in Wupatki.  Rather than going straight to Wupatki, consider driving through beautiful Sunset Crater Volcano NM first and finishing the loop in Wupatki.  There are several ruins, but the most accessible and well-preserved were the remote Wukoki Pueblo and the Wupatki Pueblo, adjacent to visitor center.  Short hikes allow you to explore in and around the ruins.

Other Nearby Attractions Flagstaff, AZ, Sunset Crater Volcano NM, Walnut Canyon NM, Grand Canyon NP

Photos Click on thumbnails to view larger image

Wupatki Pueblo is a rather large ruin easily accessible from the visitors center

There are plenty of opportunities to get artsy with the camera as the red brick and sky make quite a contrast

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