By the start of June temps are hitting 100 degrees or more every day in the Phoenix area, so this is the ideal month to start heading further north in Arizona for weekend getaways. Sedona is the perfect launching point to check out numerous great sights in this part of the state. In fact, Walnut Canyon is just under thirty-seven miles northeast of Sedona on N Ste. Route 89 A, and only nine miles east of downtown Flagstaff. The canyon is fairly easy to access and is a delightful, intriguing place to spend an hour or two of your day. Much like Montezuma Castle (featured in my previous Armchair Travelogues post) Walnut Canyon features the remains of dwellings built by the indigenous Sunigua people who inhabited much of Arizona over 800 years ago.
However, the remains at Walnut Canyon are more numerous than those of Montezuma Castle, suggesting that this area was capable of supporting more inhabitants than the Castle region all those centuries ago. While the canyon’s rim has an imposing elevation of 6,690 ft, the floor of it drops 350 feet lower. The trail which passes through the canyon at this point comes in at the 185 ft level, and after walking barely a mile, the visitor gets a close-up view of the twenty-five Cliff dwellings which comprised the former settlement. Although the original human inhabitants departed so long ago (probably around 1250 AD, or some 240 years prior to Columbus) there is quite an abundance of other life that still thrives here. There is a tremendous number of plant species for instance – with close to 400 different types within the confines of the monument.
Among these are the Prickly Pear Cactus which as always served as a vital source of food for both animals and humans over the millennia. There’s the Arizona Black Walnut tree which is also found in New Mexico and Texas and throughout the western region of Mexico. The nuts are edible despite the tough outer shells, and no doubt served as a food source for the original canyon inhabitants. Additionally, there are other Walnut tree varieties on the canyon floor, providing the monument’s namesake. Walnut Creek flows through the canyon as well, but it only flows during monsoon season or when there is heavy snowmelt from the mountains in spring. There is an incredible variety of wildlife at Walnut Canyon as well, including 121 species of birds – which is quite impressive in the relatively small area of the monument (which covers a little under six square miles of land area).
Among these are different types of falcons, hawks, and owls. There are also numerous types of lizards and other reptiles. No doubt, it would be thrilling to see some of the mammals that make Walnut Canyon their home. These include coyotes, elk, mountain lions, bears, antelope, and perhaps the most unique animal of all here is the white-nosed Coati, which resembles a raccoon, being part of that family. Although not all of these animals would necessarily be present during the day – it’s easy to imagine the heightened level of nocturnal activity that occurs once it’s dark, the visitors are gone for the day, and the temperatures are more agreeable.
In any case, Walnut Canyon is enchanting with its breathtaking scenery and limestone cliffs. Much of this can be enjoyed from the Visitor Center with its expansive windows and backend walkway. Yet, it is necessary to walk the looping trail to see the ancient dwellings close-up. For some background about the monument: Walnut Canyon became a national monument under the order of President Woodrow Wilson – otherwise the dwellings would likely have ended up completely looted and desecrated by unscrupulous souvenir and treasure hunters. Later on, it became part of the National Park Service in 1933. Finally, as with all other historic areas that were part of the National Park Service, Walnut Canyon was listed with the National Register Of Historic Places in 1966 to ensure its preservation for future generations.
Though June is not a bad month to visit, the most ideal temperatures would usually be from mid-October to mid/late April. Walnut Canyon does get snowfall and can get very cold during the winter – so bundling up is advised! It’s always best to check weather conditions when planning a visit here. For more information check out the National Park Service 🏞️ at:
