Things to Do in Wupatki National Monument

by mtncorg
Send Photo to a Friend

Over 100 rooms used to exist
here at Wupatki

This is the largest ruins in the Monument. There is a self-guided walking tour you can take from behind the Visitor Center. Wupatki is the Hopi word for 'Tall House'. The ruins are a three-story dwelling with more than 100 rooms that housed about 200 residents. The dwellings were occupied from about 1120 to 1210.

Address: WUPNM, 6400 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Phone: (928) 679-2365

Directions: From Flagstaff, take US 89 north for 12 miles (19km), turn right at sign for Sunset Crater Volcano - Wupatki National Monuments. The Visitor Center is 21 miles (34km) from this junction.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/wupa/

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting Wupatki National Monument?

Read reviews about Wupatki National Monument Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.


	viewing hours Tip Rating:

Updated By Jonathan_C

on August 26, 2004

Wupatki pueblo

As in the rest of Arizona, the best viewing is in the morning and evening hours. Not only do you escape the heat, but the photography is infinitely better. We arrived at Wupatki an hour or so before sunset and were treated to warm tones and long shadows that brought out the full texture of the landscape and the ruins.

Sunset Crater, ancient pueblos and views out to the Painted Desert: God, this place is beautiful!

Website: http://www.nps.gov/wupa/home.htm

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Moenkopi sandstone Tip Rating:

Updated By Jonathan_C

on July 29, 2004

Wupatki pueblo

All of the pueblos at Wupatki are built out of this lovely red rock. The Moenkopi formation is 240 million years old and is one of the most useful building stones in Arizona due to it's durability. The old campus of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff is another place to see it.

It is also beautiful in the natural state and provides base material for many of Arizona's scenic wonders:

o Grand Canyon
o Arches
o Meteor Crater
o Vermillion Cliffs
o Monument Valley

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Nalakihu pueblo Tip Rating:

Updated By Jonathan_C

on July 29, 2004

Nalakihu pueblo

The Nalakihu and Citadel pueblos are located a couple of miles east of Wupatki pueblo but still within the National Monument. In the background you can see the volcanic outcropping that forms the backdrop for Lomaki pueblo.

As with Tuzigoot National Monument, I can imagine a very pleasant life in these ancient pueblos with beautiful vistas and other nearby communities.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/wupa/citadel.html

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	WUKOKI RUIN Tip Rating:

Updated By mtncorg

on November 22, 2003

by mtncorg
Send Photo to a Friend

Wukoki = Big House

If you are driving from the south - ie Sunset Crater and Flagstaff - just before you come to the Visitor Center next to the Wukoki Ruin, you come to a turnoff for a three mile road leading to the Wukoki Ruin. Wukoki means 'Big House' in Hopi. The ruin sits atop a huge boulder and is thought to have housed three families.

Address: WUPNM, 6400 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Phone: (928) 679-2365

Website: http://www.nps.gov/wupa/

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting Wupatki National Monument?

Read reviews about Wupatki National Monument Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.


	volcanic soil and sandstone Tip Rating:

Updated By Jonathan_C

on August 1, 2004

volcanic soil at Wupatki

The Wupatki pueblo is built out of and on top of beautiful, deep red Moenkopi sandstone. But the hill just to the south is made entirely of dark black volcanic cinders. The juxtaposition of the two and the slight variation in plant communities is visually arresting.

I can imagine that the ancient ones chose this spot on the beauty of the place alone.

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	The view from the top of Citadel Tip Rating:

By zrim

on March 28, 2003

by zrim
Send Photo to a Friend

endless arid grassland

I just love this view. It makes me think of the endless opportunities that life presents. I can just let my eyes wander over the miles and miles of empty landscape and wonder how it would be to set off on a walk and just ramble through this countryside.

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	LOMAKI RUINS Tip Rating:

By mtncorg

on November 22, 2003

by mtncorg
Send Photo to a Friend

House ruins at Lomaki

Lomaki is Hopi for 'Beautiful House'. This small ruin lies at the end of a half mile trail and stands at the edge of a 3/4 mile long earth crack. Earth cracks are associated with earthquakes and vulcanism, both of which there has been plenty of in this area.

Two other small ruins lie back on the main road on turnouts - Citadel and Nalakihu.

Address: WUPNM, 6400 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Phone: (928) 679-2365

Website: http://www.nps.gov/wupa/

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Citadel Tip Rating:

By zrim

on March 28, 2003

by zrim
Send Photo to a Friend

Citadel Ruin

The Citadel Ruin is so named because it reminds westerners of castles and fortresses. The walls are thick. The windows few. And it would be difficult to attack this spot from below. However, there is little evidence of warfare within this region when these pueblos were occupied.

One neat aspect of this particular ruin is the terraced fields that surround the dwelling. The Sinagua were accomplished farmers. They needed to be in this arid area.

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Wupatki Ruin Tip Rating:

By zrim

on March 27, 2003

by zrim
Send Photo to a Friend

Wupatki Ruin

The Monument's namesake ruin. This complex at one time would have been four stories high with over 100 rooms. There is also a ball court at one end of the complex that is mostly intact.

After crawling through the existing rooms and through the doorways that remain intact, I can only say that the Sinagua people must have been very small.