Walnut Canyon's cliff dwellings are illuminated by the afternoon sun.

National Monument · Arizona

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. Today the park preserves this landscape, and the ancestral homes in and around the canyon.

Share

Things to do

  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Weather & when to go

Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. You may expect high winds any time of year, summer temperatures above 95ºF (35ºC), afternoon storms July–September, and heavy snow from fall to spring. Dress in layers, as weather at Walnut Canyon can change quickly at any time of year.

Entrance fees

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle

    This pass covers the pass holder and up to 15 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle at Walnut Canyon National Monuments for 1-7 days.

    $25.00

  • Entrance - Motorcycle

    Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

    $20.00

  • Entrance - Per Person

    Admits one individual bicyclist, hiker, or pedestrian visiting the facility without a private vehicle. Good for Walnut Canyon National Monument for 1-7 days. A pass is not required for individuals 15 or younger.

    $15.00

  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

    Non-commercial groups pay the per person fee up until the cost exceeds that of the commercial rate for the same size vehicle.

    $15.00

  • Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

    Bona fide educational institutions visiting for non-recreational purposes whose visit pertains directly to established curriculum are exempt from paying entry fees. Apply for an educational fee waiver at least 4 weeks in advance by submitting an educational fee waiver. Please see the below link to access the waiver.

    $0.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan

    Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 1-6 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

    $28.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Van

    Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 7-15 individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

    $40.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

    Covers occupants of a vehicle with an occupancy of 16+ individuals at Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon for 1 day. A commercial group is defined as a group that is entering for the purpose of providing commercial tour services within the unit. A commercial group consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purpose by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

    $100.00

Operating hours

Park Hours

Walnut Canyon National Monument is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Access to park's trails and views of the canyon are not accessible outside of operating hours. Access to the Island Trail closes at 4:00 pm. Visitors are encouraged to begin the Rim Trail by 4:30 p.m. to ensure enough time to complete the trail by 5:00 p.m. when the park's gates are closed. *The park is closed on December 25th, and January 1st. During these closures there is no access to park trails or viewpoints.

FAQ

How much does it cost to visit Walnut Canyon National Monument?
Entrance to Walnut Canyon National Monument costs $25.00 (Entrance - Private Vehicle), $20.00 (Entrance - Motorcycle), $15.00 (Entrance - Per Person). The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entry at every NPS site.
What are the hours at Walnut Canyon National Monument?
Walnut Canyon National Monument is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Access to park's trails and views of the canyon are not accessible outside of operating hours. Access to the Island Trail closes at 4:00 pm. Visitors are encouraged to begin the Rim Trail by 4:30 p.m. to ensure enough time to complete the trail…
Do I need a reservation for Walnut Canyon National Monument?
No timed-entry reservation is currently required to enter Walnut Canyon National Monument. Campgrounds and permits may still need to be booked separately on Recreation.gov.