Hike Wupatki Pueblo at Wupatki National Monument

Rating	★★★★☆(4/5)
Overall Difficulty	Easy
Navigation Difficulty	Easy
Distance	0.5 miles roundtrip
Time	30 minutes
Terrain	A few hills
Best Seasons	All
Family Friendly	Yes
Dog Friendly	No
Accessible	Yes

Highlights

Learning about the pueblo's history
The northernmost ball court ruins in North America
The blowhole where air escapes a cave system

Hike Summary

Wupatki Pueblo, meaning "tall house" in the Hopi language, is the largest ancient Native American building site near Flagstaff with over 100 rooms. Built by the ancestral Puebloan group known as the Sinagua (the same people who built Montezuma Castle) using sandstone blocks and mortar, the dwelling housed between 85 and 100 people. On this hike, you will learn more about the pueblo and its inhabitants, all while enjoying the beautiful emptiness of the desert.

Before starting the hike, stop in the visitor center to pick up a free interpretive booklet. Along the trail, numbered signs correspond with the numbers in the booklet, providing more information about each section of the pueblo. To start the hike, follow the paved, accessible trail, eventually stopping at an overlook of the pueblo, as pictured below.

Wupatki Pueblo from the accessible overlook

Beyond the overlook, the trail is no longer accessible due to the stairs pictured below; however, the trail leading to the back of the pueblo is very flat and could potentially be accessed by wheelchair -- attempt at your own risk. The numbered route continues by descending the stairs to the front of the pueblo.

Stairs leading down to Wupatki Pueblo

Although the area has been populated since about 500 CE, it wasn't until the 11th century that the population began to grow. The eruption of nearby Sunset Crater covered the desert in volcanic ash and increased the agricultural productivity of the soil, spurring this population growth. Because this area is so desolate, the Sinagua of Wupatki Pueblo collected rainwater and farmed squash and maize to survive. The location was also a strategic crossroads for trading, as evidenced by seashells, pottery, and other artifacts discovered here from as far as the Pacific and Gulf Coasts.

Continue straight at next intersection, then turn right on the spur trail to the kiva remains, pictured below. This round building served as a cross between a town hall and a church, a gathering place where the people of Wupatki discussed politics and performed religious rites. Kivas are found throughout the Four Corners region and were a common structure for many other groups of ancestral Puebloans.

The elliptical stone remains of the kiva

Turn right once you return to the spur trail to head to the ruins of the ballcourt and the blowhole. The stone walls forming an elongated ellipse are the remains of the northernmost ballcourt ever found in North America. This archeological find is surprising, possibly indicating the Sinagua borrowed the ballgame tradition from the Hohokam, an ancient people who lived around the present-day Phoenix area.

The remains of the northernmost ballcourt in North America

To the right of the ballcourt, you'll find the square stone platform with a hole in it, as pictured below, called the blowhole. Place your hand over the hole, and you can feel the underlying cave system "breathe", the result of differing air pressure inside and outside the cave.

You can feel the air flowing out of the blowhole

Return to the pueblo, then turn right onto the trail going behind it to continue your hike. Here you'll have a closer look at some of the rooms as pictured below. Note how small they are and imagine how up to 100 people could somehow cram into this entire pueblo! As the trail's loop closes, finish the hike by returning to the visitor center.

Small rooms on the south end of Wupatki Pueblo

With so much to learn and experience, Wupatki National Monument is certainly worth a visit during your visit to Northern Arizona. Connect with me using the social media links below and share your adventures!

Important Information

Dogs are not allowed on any trails in the park; it's best to leave your dog at home since desert temperatures can kill dogs waiting in cars. This is an excellent hike for the whole family since it is short and educational, just make sure to keep kids away from the fragile ruins. The trail is wheelchair accessible up to an overlook of the pueblo, but stairs are required to hike the entire loop. You can visit during any season, but be prepared for wind. In the summer, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Winter and early spring may bring snow, but not nearly as much as in nearby Flagstaff. Expect to see people here no matter when you visit.

Directions

From Flagstaff, take Interstate 40 east. Take the exit for U.S. Highway 89, then turn left. Turn right onto U.S. Highway 89. If you plan on taking the entire scenic loop road through Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument, turn right at the brown sign pointing to those two parks after about 12 miles, then turn left towards the visitor center after about 21 miles. Otherwise, continue straight on U.S. Highway 89 for about 26 miles, turning right near mile marker 444, as indicated by a brown sign for Wupatki National Monument, then turn right into the visitor center after about 13 miles.

Google Maps Directions

Parking, Fees, and Facilities

Entrance to the park is $25 per vehicle and permits access for 7 days to both Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Interagency passes are also honored here. Visit the park's fees page for more information. The staffed visitor center has restrooms and water in addition to educational exhibits and a gift shop.