Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki’s pueblos were inhabited by ancestors of the Hopi and Zuni people.. It’s important to note that the site isn’t “abandoned,” per se: Several Indigenous groups regularly visit the site to connect with their past. Four short-and-sweet hiking trails—all under half a mile (less than a kilometer) round-trip—lead to seven different pueblos, Wuptaki being the largest. And they’re all worth the short walk; the Wukoki Pueblo, Nalakihu and Citadel Pueblos, and Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos each showcase distinctive architecture and panoramic views.

• Stop at the visitor center beforehand to get a feel for the millennia of human history you’re about to explore.

• Negatively impacting this landscape is a criminal offense. Do not damage or displace any artifact you see here.

• Wupatki, Wukoki, and Nalakihu pueblos are all wheelchair-accessible.

• Fossils in the limestone and volcanic landmarks such as cinder cones make this a remarkable nature endeavor, too.

You’ll want a car to visit Wupatki National Monument. Most visitors will start their journey in Flagstaff, Arizona, driving north on US-89 for approximately 12 miles (20 kilometers) until the turnoff for Wupatki Loop Road. This scenic drag winds for roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) until the monument’s entrance. Wupatki Pueblo is just behind the visitor center; others are up to 10 miles (18 kilometers) away.

Wupatki National Monument is open from sunrise to sunset; the visitor center is open from morning to mid-afternoon year-round (barring Christmas and New Year’s). In terms of the calendar, time your visit for spring or fall—the summer temperatures can be scorchers. Of course, if you don’t mind chilly weather, don’t write off winter—the red-rock pueblos during light snowfall are extra scenic.

If you’re looking for a bit more adrenaline—and longer, more difficult trails—hop on a ranger-led hike, most commonly offered from November to March. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the pueblos and other ancient sites, an in-depth history of the landscape here, plus you’ll get to spot lesser-known petroglyphs carved into the rock.