Coconino: Hotels for culture and canyon landscapes

Walnut Canyon National Monument and Wupatki National Monument are located in Coconino County; parts of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area also lie within the county. These areas offer different highlights: cliff dwellings and trails in Walnut Canyon, archaeological sites in the Painted Desert landscape at Wupatki, and recreational opportunities at Lake Powell and along the Colorado River.

Cliff dwellings and trails in Walnut Canyon

Walnut Canyon National Monument protects well-preserved cliff dwellings, pithouses and other cultural resources of the Northern Sinagua. The 0.9-mile Island Trail leads down 240 steps to 25 rooms in cliff dwellings. The 0.7-mile Rim Trail offers sweeping views of the canyon and its cliff dwellings. It is 0.2 miles shorter than the Island Trail. This gives you a clear comparison when choosing: the Island Trail focuses on the rooms and steps, while the Rim Trail offers a shorter route and sweeping views.

Archaeological sites at Wupatki

Wupatki National Monument preserves more than 2,700 archaeological sites in the Painted Desert landscape. The parking area at the Wupatki Visitor Center provides access to the Visitor Center and the Wupatki Pueblo Trail. This connects the broader archaeological context with two specific destinations for your visit. If you would like to focus on archaeological sites in addition to the cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon, Wupatki offers its own thematic focus.

Collections at the Museum of Northern Arizona

For a digital perspective on the natural and cultural history of the Colorado Plateau, you can use the Museum of Northern Arizona’s online collections portal. Visitors and researchers can browse selected collection highlights and search by collection type. The collections include archaeological and ethnographic objects: pottery, stone and bone tools, baskets, jewelry, Katsina dolls, carvings and textiles. The portal offers a different way to explore than the trails in Walnut Canyon or at Wupatki: you can first view selected highlights or focus your search on a collection type. This lets you shape your digital exploration around the object groups that interest you most.

Recreation at Lake Powell and along the Colorado River

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area includes parts of Coconino County and offers recreational opportunities at Lake Powell, along the Colorado River and its tributaries, and in the surrounding areas. Activities listed at Lake Powell include boating, kayaking, fishing and swimming. These specific activities are associated with Lake Powell; the broader recreation description also includes the Colorado River, its tributaries and surrounding areas. This gives you the option of weighing cultural sites and water activities as different priorities when planning your trip. If algae sludge is visible, visitors are advised to choose another section of the waterway. Check current advisories before taking part in activities, as conditions can change.

Discover more destinations: Williams, Flagstaff, Sedona, Page, Tusayan, Tuba City, Grand Canyon Village, Bellemont

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