Wupatki Ruins Trail, Wupatki National Monument

by Southwest Parks and Monuments Association

INTRODUCTION

This booklet is intended to supplement the free leaflet which gives the general story of Wupatki National Monument. It might be useful to read that leaflet before going through the ruin itself. We would appreciate it if you would sign the register.

The trail will lead you around Wupatki Ruin. Numbered stakes on the trail correspond to numbered paragraphs in this booklet, which will help you understand the features you will see.

Spend as much time in the ruin as you like; all we ask is your cooperation in keeping off the walls and not removing pottery fragments, rocks, plants, or other material from the area. Thank you. PLEASE STAY ON TRAIL!

WUPATKI RUINS TRAIL

Wupatki Ruin with “amphitheater” in lower right.

1. Wupatki Ruin.

From this point is an excellent view of the entire ruin, including the “amphitheater” and ballcourt. At its peak of occupation, during the 1100’s, the village contained over 100 rooms with 250-300 inhabitants. It is the largest of more than 800 ruins within the boundaries of Wupatki National Monument, and was partially excavated in 1933-34 by the Museum of Northern Arizona, and the National Park Service in 1941-42 and 1952-53.