Wupatki National Monument

Arizona's Peaks and Pueblos

By John McKinney

Quite sensibly, the indigenous peoples fled the area when earthquakes shook their pithouses and Sunset Crater began to erupt. However, when the fireworks ceased, farming Indians from a variety of cultures—Sinagua, Cohonina and Anasazi—resettled in the region.

During the 12th century, volcanic ash-fall from Sunset Crater enriched the soil and aided farming in Wupatki Basin, a valley located 20 miles northeast of the volcano. Large, multi-storied pueblos, built in the Anasazi way, replaced the pit houses and branch shelters of earlier times.

Wupatki National Monument

At Wupatki (Hopi for “Tall House”) Pueblo, the community numbered some 100 rooms and towered three stories. From a distance, this remarkable structure appears as if it’s still occupied.

An interpretive trail extends from the monument’s visitor center to the multilevel high-rises, built of limestone blocks, sandstone slabs and a clay-based mortar.

The pueblo’s design is positively inspired from a practical point of view—particularly the way precious water was captured and conserved and the innovative air circulation system constructed for indoor fires.

There’s something profoundly spiritual about these dwellings and their relationship to wind, water, sun and earth. Most visitors get suddenly quiet when they approach Wupatki Pueblo and many walk the whole trail in contemplative silence.

The walks are short (Wupatki Pueblo Trail is 0.5 mile round trip; Lomaki Pueblo Trail is 0.5 mile round trip) and easy.

By 1250, the pueblo stood empty. Did the water supply give out? Was there conflict between tribal groups? Archeologists can only speculate.
Some of the descendants of the Wupatki pueblos still live nearby, including Hopi, Zuni and Navajo peoples.

Directions: From Sunset Crater, drive another 22 miles along the park road to Wupatki National Monument.

You can also reach the national monument from Highway 89 between Flagstaff and Cameron. Follow the park road 14 miles to the visitor center. 

For more information: Wupatki National Monument, tel.(520) 679-2365.