Coconino: Cliff Dwellings, Archaeology and Canyon Views

In Coconino, well-preserved cliff dwellings, archaeological sites and sweeping canyon views meet opportunities for recreation on the water. The diverse destinations offer different ways to experience the landscape and its history: sometimes the focus is on rooms in the rock, sometimes on views across a canyon, and sometimes on collections or activities at Lake Powell.

Cliff Dwellings and Canyon Views at Walnut Canyon

Walnut Canyon National Monument in Coconino County protects well-preserved cliff dwellings, pit houses and other cultural resources of the Northern Sinagua. Two trails offer different experiences. The 0.9-mile Island Trail leads down 240 steps to 25 rooms in the cliff dwellings. The 0.7-mile Rim Trail offers sweeping views of the canyon and its cliff dwellings. You can choose based on what interests you most: the rooms themselves or the view of the landscape. The trail lengths and destinations described provide a concrete guide without rating the trails by difficulty.

Archaeological Landscapes and Collections

Wupatki National Monument preserves more than 2,700 archaeological sites in the Painted Desert landscape. At the Wupatki Visitor Center, the parking lot provides access to the visitor center and the Wupatki Pueblo Trail. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is also in Coconino County. Together with Walnut Canyon, Wupatki shows how strongly archaeological places shape the character of this county.

The collections at the Museum of Northern Arizona offer a different perspective on the cultural history of the Colorado Plateau. The museum preserves, researches and interprets objects of significance to natural and cultural history. Its archaeological and ethnographic collections include pottery, stone and bone tools, baskets, jewelry, Katsina dolls, carvings and textiles. In the online collections portal, visitors and researchers can browse selected collection highlights and search by collection type. This offers a distinct way to explore the objects without limiting the view to a single archaeological site.

History, Geology and Views

Riordan Mansion was built in 1904 for two Riordan families who played a key role in establishing Flagstaff’s early lumber industry. The interior can only be seen on a guided tour; reservations are strongly recommended. Since tour rules can change, check the latest information before your visit.

Lava River Cave near Flagstaff, Arizona, brings a geological dimension into view. The one-mile lava tube formed about 700,000 years ago from molten rock flowing out of a volcanic vent near Hart Prairie. At Arizona Snowbowl, the summit trail is an easy hike with one switchback leading to a large, open viewpoint at nearly 12,000 feet. Since seasonal operations can change, check current operating information before making plans. Here, different themes come together: archaeological and historical traces, a volcanic origin and a high-altitude viewpoint.

Water Activities and Choosing Your Vacation Rental

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area includes parts of Coconino County and offers recreation opportunities at Lake Powell, the Colorado River, its tributaries and surrounding areas. Activities listed at Lake Powell include boating, kayaking, fishing and swimming. If algae scum is visible, visitors are advised to choose another section of the waterway. Check current advisories, as conditions can change.

When choosing a vacation rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: Would you like to include archaeological sites and culture, take in canyon views, or also consider water activities? Then choose your accommodation based on the specific places you want to visit. This way, you can guide your search by the experiences that make Coconino interesting to you.

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

Return to the main travel overview: Arizona.