username
X
password
register
for free!
help
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Wupatki Ruins National Monument Trails - 17 members in 71 triplogs have rated this an average 3.6 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4  Next
71 triplogs
login for filter options
Jun 08 2025
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Wupatki NM - Sunset Crater NM, AZ 
Wupatki NM - Sunset Crater NM, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 08 2025
The_EagleTriplogs 2,760
Hiking1.22 Miles 117 AEG
Hiking1.22 Miles
117 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Partners partners
Ladyeagle
Even though I've driven past these numerous times, visiting them was always going to be... next time. These worked out to be good leg-stretchers.

Wupatki Pueblo - Wupatki NM
We only stopped at the Visitor Center and the Wupatki Pueblo that is located there.

It's an interesting walk by the Ruins, Community Center, Ball Court, and unexpectedly, the Blowhole. The time of day we were there, it was actually "sucking" instead of "blowing." Luckily, they have placed a screen over the opening, because it actually had a pretty good pull to it. Another visitor there placed his shirt over the hole, and it easily could have been sucked in without the screen.

Lomaki and Box Canyon, Wukoki Pueblo, The Citadel, and Nalakihu Pueblos are some of the others you can visit on the property. Maybe next time.

Sunset Crater NM
Just a quick stop to check out the area. We didn't even go into the Visitor Center. There are a couple of trails here I'll need to check out sometime.
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
May 20 2025
avatar

 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar May 20 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking1.60 Miles 472 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
472 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This was the second stop on our National Parks stop. If you do Sunset Crater or Wupatki you almost have to visit the other. They are within 20 miles of each other. Loved the drive down from Sunset to Wupatki. The transition from the pine, pinions, high desert grassland to the painted desert was incredible. Recommend stopping at the lookouts. On a clear day the views are fantastic. We visited 3 of the 5 advertised ruins: Wukoki, Wupatki and the Citadel. All were very impressive in their own ways. Wukoki was probably my favorite. Crowds were minimal. Felt like we hade the ruins to ourselves most of the time.
_____________________
 
Aug 29 2024
avatar

 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 29 2024
cactuscatTriplogs 486
Hiking1.60 Miles 472 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
472 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Finally made it to the Flagstaff Monuments!
After Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater and camping at Bonito on Wednesday, Wupatki was my finale today.
I hiked all the short trails except the Citadel, since I was running short on time to get back and pack up in time for the 11am checkout time at Bonito.
Started at Wukoki just before 8am - had it all to myself. It's absolutely stunning - especially the 3-story high walls that are still standing. The Sinagua's construction is exquisite ... in some places it's hard to tell at a glance where the rock ends and the constructed walls begin.
Next I hit Wupatki Pueblo, which I also had all to myself. Very, very impressive! I did wish that I had the trail guide, so that I could read about each of the 18 or so marked way points. The "tall house" is amazing, the plaza and ball court as well, and I really enjoyed the blowhole - the Earth's breath in my face.
Stopped at the Citadel pullout for a quick photo, then proceeded on to the Box Canyon and Lomaki trail. Saw just two other tourists on that trail, plus a few NPS workers. There was a Stone Mason doing beautiful work building the edges a new trail to the main Box Canyon dwelling. Lomaki was beautiful.
I really enjoyed this visit, and will likely go again soon to spend more time and see things in later afternoon light instead of morning. Would also be nice to see with some snow on the ground.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Wupatki National Monument
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
 
Apr 25 2023
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 205
 Photos 9,282
 Triplogs 526

72 male
 Joined Apr 06 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
N. Arizona Spring Break 2023, AZ 
N. Arizona Spring Break 2023, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 25 2023
HansenazTriplogs 526
Hiking6.00 Miles
Hiking6.00 Miles
 no routes
1st trip
A few of my occasional Happy Hour friends (we all worked together in the '80s) are amateur photographers and one proposed a trip to White Pocket, a return for him. The four of us booked two nights at Cliff Dwellers Lodge near Marble Canyon and planned some other stops along the way.

Wupatki NM: We drove through on the way up and headed to a corner I've been wanting to see. We stopped at Wukoki Pueblo which is off the main road and nice to visit. Then we continued along to Black Falls Crossing which I think is the next one downstream from Grand Falls. Lots of water there right now, but no falls.

White Pocket: Next day we met our ride at the south end of House Rock Rd (we knew that road is difficult so a guide was hired) and bumped our way up to the WP parking area. Road conditions were pretty good and private parties slightly outnumbered guided ones. I did see one all-wheel drive car (a Honda Passport) had made it to the end. Of course it's a fantastic place to walk around and a lot of fun. Scenic as heck but our mid-day experience I'm sure can't compare to the low sun pictures that can be found on HAZ.

West Bench Pueblo: I had noticed this place in the WP vicinity posted by @PaleoRob. It was a short detour for us and the road leads right to it. Pretty standard ruin and pottery scatter at the main location - I'm sure there's more to find if you look around.

Upper Soap Creek: I noticed a HAZ post by @ddgrunning leaving from Cliff Dwellers and heading up the canyon. So after WP my friends drove down to Lee's Ferry to take pictures and I walked up the canyon about a mile. A leg stretcher, not too interesting in this section.

Coal Mine Canyon: On the way home the next day we went to CMC. Several of us had been there before and knew it was a tricky place because the Navajo authorities didn't seem to want visitors there. Well things have changed. On our way up the first day, we stopped in Cameron to see if we could get a permit and were told we didn't need one (surprise #1). When we actually arrived there we found a couple Navajo surveyors studying the area (a subsidence concern associated with mining) and they "implied" the area was opening up (surprise #2). And as we walked around "development signs" were obvious, including simple hand rails making access safer and more organized (surprise #3). Interesting.

After walking around this main site we drove to another location we'd heard about (and I won't describe it here) which gave some alternate cool views of this big canyon complex.

Successful trip!
_____________________
  2 archives
Feb 21 2022
avatar

 Guides 37
 Routes 556
 Photos 10,872
 Triplogs 1,052

43 male
 Joined Jan 21 2013
 AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 21 2022
FOTGTriplogs 1,052
Hiking1.60 Miles 472 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
472 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We had plans of a second summit at the Grand Canyon on Presidents Day, but the wind and cold had other ideas, so we opted for a long overdue visit to the Wupatki National Monument.

This place exceeded my expectations. The ruins were impressive and the backdrops spectacular with the Peaks in the background and the general beauty of the area. I think if I had to pick a couple, the most enjoyable stops for me were Lomaki, Box Canyon, and the Wukoki pueblos. The drive was also very scenic and I would recommend the full loop to see the lava flows. All of the ruins are easily accessed with minimal walking and developed trails.
_____________________
  1 archive
Aug 13 2021
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 13 2021
Charger55Triplogs 573
Hiking1.60 Miles 472 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
472 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
Get there early enough and you have may have some trails to yourself. I didn't see anyone else at Wukoki, Doney or Lomaki. Then I went outside the park boundaries to explore some other ruins in the area.
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Aug 29 2020
avatar

 Guides 21
 Routes 1,182
 Photos 36,858
 Triplogs 1,570

69 female
 Joined Feb 26 2004
 Phoenix, AZ
Wupatki and Sunset Crater, AZ 
Wupatki and Sunset Crater, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 29 2020
tibberTriplogs 1,570
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles
 no routes
1st trip
Partners partners
mjmr89
Brother Rick picked this out for our outing day. He couldn't pronounce it so I said it Wupatki for him :lol: (remembering back to the day of learning how to say Aravaipa). We started with threatening weather and just as got down the stairs the rain came so we made a beeline back to the VC to sit under the awning until it passed. While there I asked the Ranger about the Crack in the Rock backpack trips. She said they hope to start again in October with the previous participants that couldn't go this spring. She pointed out to me where Crack in the Rock was as I really didn't know I could see it from there.

The rain subsided so we started anew. The brief rain had cooled the temperatures so we were glad of that as we made our way past the intricate ruins to the Ballcourt. Rick and I reminisced about our visit to a Ballcourt at Chichen Itza in 1974. We then made our way over to the Blow Hole but it wasn't blowing today; altho if you put your hand down in it you could feel the cold air. We made our way up and around the north side of the ruins. I grabbed some photos of the flora and interpretive signs.

Our next stop was the picnic area off the highway at the Painted Desert Overlook. It was pretty warm but we enjoyed our homemade sandwiches and I split a beer with Mia. It's a very nice area with tables and restrooms.

We stopped at the next pullout to the east of Sunset Crater. Views to O'Leary are on one side and the east side of the Crater on the other. I was surprised to see roads coming off of those side hills to the east of Sunset. The hillsides looked steep and slippery but I guess it would probably be great fun. I took pictures with my new phone and even though it has a nice zoom, the quality is not to the level of my camera as it's all in the optical, not the digital (phone has 5x, camera 30x).

Our last stop of this touristy day, was the west side of Sunset Crater. They have a path for you to walk around. Apparently the bridge entrance encountered some sort of damage that they are working on. It was a pretty day so the colors of the scenery really popped. Here I used both my camera and phone. I tried shooting a movie on the phone as it's supposed to be pretty good and it was. We very slowly made our way around the cement loop as my brother's wife couldn't do anymore at this time. Nonetheless, we enjoyed it and reading the interpretive signs.

You know many times we don't take the time to stop and enjoy what our state has to offer as we're on our way to/from some other destination so it was nice to do this and with family.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Apache Plume
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Rainbow
_____________________
For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.
  1 archive
Jul 26 2020
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 26 2020
Charger55Triplogs 573
Hiking1.60 Miles 472 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
472 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Nov 07 2019
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 25
 Photos 1,890
 Triplogs 604

41 male
 Joined Sep 13 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 07 2019
jochalTriplogs 604
Hiking1.60 Miles 472 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
472 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Putting that freshly purchased national parks pass to use. The box canyon dwellings were intriguing, and, as the haz guide discusses, seeing the way the in place stones were incorporated into the wupatki structure is interesting.
_____________________
 
May 25 2019
avatar

 Triplogs 72

41 female
 Joined Feb 14 2017
 Prescott Valley,
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar May 25 2019
sleepybear929Triplogs 72
Hiking1.60 Miles 472 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
472 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
May 24 2018
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 518
 Photos 5,861
 Triplogs 883

72 female
 Joined Jan 21 2006
 Eagar AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Road Biking avatar May 24 2018
azbackpackrTriplogs 883
Road Biking18.70 Miles 963 AEG
Road Biking18.70 Miles   2 Hrs   50 Mns   10.69 mph
963 ft AEG   1 Hour   5 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
There's a lot to do around Flagstaff with the forest being closed. I have had many ideas. Decided to break out the road bike, since I hadn't ridden that one at all since September. Starting at the Wupatki Visitors' Center I rode a bit over 9 miles toward Sunset Crater. It was a very warm day, and I almost ran out of water. Coasting back down was easier in some ways, but my road bike isn't all that comfortable. Hard on my neck, wrists and hands. I want to eventually get a flat bar road bike with a configuration that doesn't hurt my neck. Someone told me I should ride this one until I get used to it. There is some truth to that, I've found. I am not used to it right now, but when I was living in Oregon last year I rode a lot and I did get used to it.

I didn't visit any of the ruins. The ride pretty much wiped me out. I've been to them before, anyway, including the Crack-in-Rock backpack.

I think I will go back and do the ride starting from 89 to the top of the really big hill, which I probably won't ride just yet. I will stop and visit those outlier ruins when I do that one.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Cliff rose, orange globemallow.
_____________________
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
  4 archives
Dec 30 2016
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 632
 Photos 8,235
 Triplogs 604

54 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 30 2016
ddgrunningTriplogs 604
Hiking1.60 Miles 775 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
775 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Pitstop #4 on trip to Southern Utah. I grew up in Flagstaff, but it's been probably 30 years since I'd been out to visit the Wupatki ruins. Coolest thing was the "blowhole," which I don't remember seeing when I was there last. We got there only about an hour before closing, so didn't have time (or daylight) to explore anything other than the main ruin site.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Humor
_____________________
 
Jun 09 2015
avatar

 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 09 2015
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,600
Hiking1.60 Miles 775 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles   2 Hrs      0.80 mph
775 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hit all the trails at Wupatki with the kids. It's been several years since I was last there, so it was nice to see everything again.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Jun 29 2014
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 518
 Photos 5,861
 Triplogs 883

72 female
 Joined Jan 21 2006
 Eagar AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 29 2014
azbackpackrTriplogs 883
Hiking1.60 Miles 775 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
775 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Walked this path today with a group of Chinese students, as a part of my job. It was unusually warm. Well, let's say, it was hot.

Funny, I've done the Crack-in-Rock backpacking trip, but had never walked around Wupatki Pueblo! Interesting!
_____________________
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
 
Nov 02 2013
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 5
 Photos 3,377
 Triplogs 783

55 male
 Joined Aug 20 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 02 2013
RickVincentTriplogs 783
Hiking1.60 Miles 775 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
775 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We entered the park via the entrance at Sunset Crater. We had hoped to climb the crater but found out "after paying" that Sunset Crater is closed for hiking. :sorrry: There is a smaller, less interesting crater (Lenox Crater) that is open for hiking. Its kind of like setting up a date with the hot girl and then her ugly cousin shows up. :yuck: I've seen many great places in this state, many more that would seem need protecting than this crater. Its just not that interesting. Fortunately, it will be preserved for future generations who will also not be able to see it. :stop:

We stopped at one of the ruins and walked around the trails, but not a lot of interest amongst our group, so we moved on along the road to Monument Valley.

This is incredibly beautiful land. I would rate this destination a 5, if not for the hiking restrictions that diminish your desire to explore.
_____________________
This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee.
 
Jul 12 2013
avatar

 Guides 16
 Routes 81
 Photos 1,269
 Triplogs 1,144

51 male
 Joined Apr 30 2008
 Tucson, AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 12 2013
azdesertfatherTriplogs 1,144
Hiking1.54 Miles 229 AEG
Hiking1.54 Miles
229 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wukoki is AMAZING. Lomaki takes some pretty nice photo shots too...


Wukoki Pueblo - 0.29mi, 54ft AEG
Citadel Pueblo - .25mi, 75ft AEG
Box Canyon & Lomaki Pueblo - 1mi, 100ft AEG
_____________________
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau
 
Jun 27 2013
avatar

 Routes 1
 Photos 29,225
 Triplogs 1,447

45 female
 Joined Jan 18 2011
 In the Wild
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 27 2013
LucyanTriplogs 1,447
Hiking1.60 Miles 775 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles   1 Hour      1.60 mph
775 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Jan 13 2013
avatar

 Routes 17
 Photos 2,773
 Triplogs 249

53 female
 Joined May 15 2009
 Phoenix and Tucs
Sunset Crater Wupatki Loop Road, AZ 
Sunset Crater Wupatki Loop Road, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 13 2013
cindylTriplogs 249
Hiking1.60 Miles 775 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
775 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Partners partners
southpawaz
we were supposed to be cross-country skiing today, but the weather and our internal thermometers had diffing opinions, so we decided to take a scenic drive instead. this drive included many stops to see lava, snow, and ruins, and i was okay with that. ruins are not my favorite destination on a hike, but this was okay. between scenic destinations, we were kept warm by the heater in the truck. we ended up at the lumberyard brewery where i had mac & cheese with a side of mac & cheese. so good.
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Snow
_____________________
There are just two switchbacks left. And another half-mile to the destination...
 
Dec 17 2012
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 79
 Photos 2,440
 Triplogs 652

34 male
 Joined Jan 10 2010
 Pomona, CA
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 17 2012
PatrickLTriplogs 652
Hiking1.60 Miles 775 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
775 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Checked out all 3 sites. Weather was great (albeit a tad chilly with the wind), and though Flagstaff was socked in, we had a clear, beautiful view of the peaks.
_____________________
 
May 21 2012
avatar

 Routes 36
 Photos 2,658
 Triplogs 1,347

67 male
 Joined Jul 28 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Wupatki Ruins National Monument TrailsFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar May 21 2012
mazatzalTriplogs 1,347
Hiking1.60 Miles 775 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
775 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jhelfers
On our way back from N Rim we stopped and checked out Box Canyon and Lomaki ruins. Very nice.
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 1.2 mph
1, 2, 3, 4  Next

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

helpcommentissue

end of page marker