Gray Mountain, Arizona · Coconino County
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler and wetter weather, when the ancestors of contemporary Pueblo communities created a bustling center of trade and culture. …
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler and wetter weather, when the ancestors of contemporary Pueblo communities created a bustling center of trade and culture. For indigenous peoples, these sites represent the footprints of their ancestors.
Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments are connected by loop road FR-545 (paved). Visitors can enter the loop road near mile markers 430 (Sunset Crater Volcano) and 444 (Wupatki) on U.S. Highway 89.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Heading to Wupatki National Monument? A few things to know before you go:
Photo: Joshua EarleArizona's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Holly MandarichSteep is hard. These are the ten Arizona trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Sergei AkulichTen gentle, well-marked Arizona trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Tobias MrzykArizona's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoFederal parks and recreation areas in Arizona ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Sergei AkulichArizona's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.