Getting to Wupatki NM
Wupatki National Monument is located in North Central Arizona, North of Flagstaff. Flagstaff is the closest airport, but Phoenix is a much cheaper option. The drive isn’t bad and there are a few other nearby National Monuments I recommend checking out such as Sunset Crater and Walnut Canyon.
Fees & Cancellation Stamp
The entrance fee is $25 for private vehicles and is good for both Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monument. The fees are different for vans, buses, etc. Refer to the National Park website for specifics. The America the Beautiful pass, which costs $80, gets you in for free.
The cancellation stamp is available in the main visitor center.
Time Required
Allow 2-3 hours to visit the four separate Pueblos (prehistoric villages) and read information at the Visitor Center. If you only wish to see the Visitor Center and the Wupatki Pueblo, 1 hour would probably suffice.
If you plan to visit all the Pueblos and read all the plaques, I would suggest scheduling a half day at Wupatki. I spent 2 hours there and only visited the Pueblo behind the Visitor Center. If you plan to participate in a guided hike and also explore the Pueblos on your own, allow for a full day.
The Different Pueblos
Wupatki Pueblo
The Wupatki Pueblo is located just behind the Visitor Center and features numbered plaques located in important areas throughout the Pueblo. The Visitor Center offers free booklets describing all the numbered sites. Return the booklet at the end of the self-guided tour. Although it is only 0.5 miles round-trip, this is the most involved Pueblo, so expect to spend the most time here.
Wukoki Pueblo
The Wukoki Pueblo is a 2.5 mile drive from the Visitor Center and is only a 0.2 mile round-trip walk around the site.
Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos
The Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos are a 4 mile drive from the Visitor Center and also only require a 0.2 mile round-trip walk.
Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos
Located 4 miles away from the Visitor Center, Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos require a 0.5 mile walk around their grounds. Unfortunately, at the time this article is being written, the trail leading to the Pueblos is closed. A project is in progress to create an accessible trail.
Hiking at Wupatki NM
Crack in Rock is the most popular guided hike. It is only available on weekends in April and October. There is a lottery for this hike, as they cap the number of participants to 15. This is a strenuous two day hike covering 18-20 miles on rough desert terrain.
Other guided hikes tend to be more moderate in difficulty and take only a few hours. These hikes are only offered on weekends between November and March. They are free, but you must reserve a spot because there are only 12 participants per hike. Visit the NPS website to see which hikes are offered each season. Most range from 2.5-3 hours long and give you the chance to see things you wouldn’t be able to see on your own.
Know before you go
I visited the park in June, but there is definitely more opportunities to explore in the winter months. The desert gets extremely hot in the summer and the guided hikes are not available. If you are someone who enjoys seeing each part of the park I recommend visiting between November and April.
If you also plan on visiting Sunset Crater National Monument, make sure you have enough gas. The area is very desolate and there is not a gas station near either entrance. The road between the two parks is about 15 miles long.
Walnut Canyon National Monument is only a 45 minute drive South. If you have an extra day to spend in the area, I highly recommend this park, it is beautiful and offers several hikes that do not require a guide.
Final Thoughts
I found the Pueblos so interesting and really enjoyed my experience at Wupatki. I highly recommend this park. Of all the smaller National Park sites I’ve visited, Wupatki is in the top 10. I do think my experience would have been elevated had I not visited during one of the hottest months of the year. However, I am a teacher and summer is the best time for me to travel. If you have the means to visit in the fall, winter, or spring, that is the route I would go!
Last updated: April 7, 2023