From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Walnut Canyon National Monument
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Location	Coconino County, Arizona, USA
Nearest city	Flagstaff, ArizonaNearest city: Flagstaff, Arizona
Coordinates	35°10′18″N 111°30′35″W / 35.17167°N 111.50972°W / 35.17167; -111.50972Coordinates: 35°10′18″N 111°30′35″W / 35.17167°N 111.50972°W / 35.17167; -111.50972
Area	3,541 acres (14.33 km²)
Established	November 30, 1915 Established: November 30, 1915
Visitors	128,275 (in 2005)
Governing body	National Park Service

Walnut Canyon National Monument is a United States National Monument located about 10 mi (16 km) southeast of downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, just off Interstate 40. The canyon rim lies at 6,690 ft (2,040 m); the canyon's floor is 350 ft lower. A 0.9 mi (1.4 km) long loop trail descends 185 ft (56 m) into the canyon passing 25 cliff dwelling rooms constructed by the Sinagua people.

Cliff dwellings in Walnut Canyon

Most of the cliff dwelling rooms are situated near the loop trail, typically slightly above the trail and immediately outside the loop itself. A typical room might have been the dwelling of a single family, and might measure approximately two meters high by six meters long by three meters deep.

There are many more dwellings to be seen up close in the canyon just east of the Monument, although it is illegal to actually enter the canyon.

Walnut Canyon was proclaimed a national monument on November 30, 1915. It was transferred from the USDA Forest Service to the National Park Service on August 10, 1933. As with all historic areas administered by the National Park Service, the national monument was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.^[1]

Geology

North wall of Walnut Canyon showing changes in lithology, and a few cliff dwellings at center.

Walnut Canyon lies on the Colorado Plateau and cuts through the Permian Kaibab Limestone, which exposes the Toroweap Formation and Coconino Sandstone.^[2] The Kaibab formation also forms the rim of the Grand Canyon. Crossbedding is present in the Coconino Sandstone.

Climate

Not all of Arizona is warm dry desert. At Walnut Canyon (6690'/2039m above sea level), be prepared for snow in winter, hot sun in summer with afternoon thunderstorms, and, especially in spring, strong gusty winds on the rim and/or in the canyon.

Operating Hours & Seasons

Park entrance road, trails, and Visitor Center are open all year, except December 25.

Hours: November - April, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM MST May - October, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM MST

Entry to park trails closes 1 hour before the monument closes.

NOTE: Most of Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

References

External links

• Official NPS website: Walnut Canyon National Monument
• American Southwest, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary

U.S. National Register of Historic Places Keeper of the Register · History of the National Register of Historic Places · Property types · Historic district · Contributing property List of entries National Park Service · National Historic Landmarks · National Battlefields · National Historic Sites · National Historical Parks · National Memorials · National Monuments