Visitor Center - Walnut Canyon National Monument

We continued our May 2015 trip to the Southwest with a stop at Walnut Canyon National Monument. This park is located a few miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona and has its own exit on Interstate 40. Turning south from exit 204 and driving three miles leads directly to the monument parking area. While I normally take pictures of entrance signs, the one for Walnut Canyon is rather unique when we visited because it was being repainted. The visitor center includes some more modern additions, but was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. As such, it is an historic structure and was not built to current standards for accessibility. The visitor center houses the usual information desk, bookstore, exhibits, theater and restrooms. Although there is an elevator to allow access to the lower level overlook, wheelchair access to the theater room is not possible due to a raised threshold and narrow doors. That is unfortunate as the 20 minute video presentation is on par with the usual excellence of NPS productions. The theater room is also entirely too small for the school and scout groups that visit. The park service personnel are aware of the inadequate facilities and do the best they can to accommodate visitors wishing to experience as much of the visitor center and monument as possible. A picnic area is located near the parking area.

"Stealthy" entrance sign

Visitor Center entrance

A few exhibits, the bookstore and information desk are on the main level

The large windows on the lower level provide canyon and mountain views

A ramp provides accessible access to the lower patio

A step inhibits some access to the theater room

A narrow door further restricts access to the storage room turned theater

The theater has seats for about a dozen

An entry fee of $5 per person (16 and over) is collected at the visitor center and is good for seven consecutive days at all three Flagstaff area National Monuments (Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon and Wupatki). Other fee payment options include the Flagstaff Area National Monuments Annual Pass for $25, the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($10 for lifetime), Access Pass (free with documented disability) and Military Annual Pass (free for active duty personnel).

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm.