Flagstaff Area National Monuments News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 06/22/2021
CONTACT – Richard Ullmann, Richard_Ullmann@nps.gov, (928) 526-1157 x228
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA – In response to the full Stage 3 closure of Coconino National Forest (Coconino National Forest – News & Events (usda.gov) due to extreme fire danger, the Flagstaff Area National Monuments (Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Wupatki) will modify operations as follows as of 8 am Wednesday June 23, 2021:
Walnut Canyon National Monument
- Monument remains open 9 am-4:30 pm daily
- All facilities and trails remain open EXCEPT when a Red Flag Warning is in effect, at which point the Island Trail (one-mile trail that descends several hundred vertical feet into the canyon and provides access to cliff dwellings) will close for the duration of the Warning
- If/when the Island Trail is closed, entrance fees will be suspended for the duration of the closure
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- Portions of the Monument that remain open:
- Scenic Loop Road/Forest Road 545 from Highway 89 to the Lava Flow Trail
- entrance fee booth
- visitor center (open daily 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4:30 pm)
- all park restrooms
- Lava Flow, Bonita Vista, and A’a Trails (open dawn to dusk)
- Portions of the Monument/surrounding area that are closed:
- Scenic Loop Road/Forest Road 545 beyond the Lava Flow Trail (note: private residents will have access)
- Bonito and O’Leary Campgrounds
- all other trails (Lava’s Edge, Lenox Crater)
Wupatki National Monument
- Portions of the Monument that remain open:
- Scenic Loop Road/Forest Road 545 from Highway 89 to Wukoki Pueblo
- visitor center (open daily 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4:30 pm)
- park restrooms
- Citadel Pueblo, Lomaki Pueblo, Wupatki Pueblo, and Wukoki Pueblo Trails (open dawn to dusk) •
- Portions of the Monument/surrounding area that are closed:
- Scenic Loop Road/Forest Road 545 beyond the Wukoki Pueblo turnoff (note: private residents will have access to include Black Falls Crossing Road)
- Doney Mountain Picnic Area
The above modified Flagstaff Area National Monuments operations will be in place for the duration of the Stage 3 closure of Coconino National Forest.
This information and any subsequent updates will be posted on each Monument’s website:
- Walnut Canyon National Monument: nps.gov/waca
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: nps.gov/sucr
- Wupatki National Monument: nps.gov/wupa
– www.nps.gov –
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