Arizona – Wupatki National Monument
Wupatki National Monument is home to an ancient historical site about 45 minutes outside Flagstaff, Arizona. It was once the home to up to 100 Pueblo people and the central meeting place for the thousand of Pueblo people living in the area. I enjoyed our visit to the Wupatki Pueblo because of how remote and and uncrowded it was for being a major dwelling unit. The structure is a deep red color with discernable rooms. Although you cannot go into the structure, it is a stunning piece of American history.
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What is the Wupatki Pueblo?
The area around Wupatki pueblo became more densely populated in the 1100s, when the Pueblo people discovered the ash from a volcanic explosion could hold enough moisture to cultivate crops. There are estimates up to 2000 people living in the area. The Pueblo became a cultural center and meeting place for the Pueblo people in the surrounding area. There is a meeting circle and ball court near the dwelling. From Wikipedia, Wupatki means, “Tall House” in Hopi language and experts think it is the tallest structure from this time period in the area.
Wupatki National Monument is a large expanse of land protected by the National Park service. From the highway, you have to drive another 15-20 minutes into the desert before getting to the Wupatki Pueblo. There are other cultural sites in the National Monument that you can stop by and explore to make your visit to the National Monument more worthwhile.
At a Glance:
- Rating: 3 (out of 4) stars, would go back to visit again
- Intensity: Casual clothes and sandals
- Location: 45 minutes away from Flagstaff, Arizona
- Cost: $25.00 per private car
- Restrooms: At the visitor’s center
- Timing: 45 mins – 1 hour
Highlights:
- Explore an ancient pueblo home
- Peaceful, without the crowds
- Learn how the ancient Pueblo people survived in an arid climate
Exploring Wupatki
We arrived at.. Well, I actually don’t know what time we arrived because Rebecca an my phone had different times. It was relatively early, like 9:00 or 10:00 am. There was only one other car in the parking lot of the Wupatki Pueblo Center, which was a dad and his two sons. We saw a total of 5 people at the site. Amazing.
I highly recommend walking down to the Wupatki structure and around the backside. By doing so, you get a better sense of how large the structure is, the intimate details of the structure, and incredible views of the surrounding area. We opted to go toward the lower front of the structure first. When you are eye-level with the structure, you will notice the drainage pipes used to collect rainwater and to protect the structural integrity.
As you walk around the backside of the structure, you get beautiful views of the desert. It is incredible that they were able to harvest crops enough to support 85-100 people. You are not allowed inside the structure, but I did not feel like I was missing out. This structure seemed bigger than Balcony House, but smaller than Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park. And lastly the color of Wupatki pueblo is a rich red-ish orange color and quite stunning in comparison to the neutral tones of the desert brush.
Pack this for Arizona
Getting There
We drove to the entrance of Wupatki National Monument using googlemaps, however googlemaps does not seem to know exactly where the Wupatki Pueblo is at. Located on a 32 mile loop that takes about 60 minutes to drive, you could make a scenic drive to see more of the monument. We took the entrance that is further north and followed the signs 15 or 20 minutes on the paved road. Just when we were about to give up, we saw the building of Visitors Center. Check out the directions on the National Park Service website for more detailed information.
Overall Thoughts: Wupatki National Monument
Overall, the Wupatki Pueblo felt like a real cultural site, rather than a tourist destination. This could be because we had it practically to ourselves and could image the world the ancient pueblo peoples lived in. Or because we had difficulty finding it making it feel like a real hidden gem (actually hidden). Either way, I am very happy that the area is designated as a National Monument, protected, and cared for as a cultural artifact.
Have you been to a place that still feels like its spirit is intact? If so, let me know where you’ve had your experience! Or am I talking complete nonsense? Let me know in the comments what you think.
Happy Travels,
Hanna
