Wupatki National Monument

Continuing on the scenic loop road, you descend about 2,000' from Sunset Crater to Wupatki. Some film trivia: opening scenes in Easy Rider were filmed along this drive. 

Wupatki National Monument was established by President Coolidge in 1924, to preserve the Citadel and Wupatki pueblos. The park boundaries have been adjusted over the years and now include additional pueblos and other archeological resources on a total of 35,422 acres, or 56 square miles.



There are five prehistoric pueblo sites here: Wupatki, Lomaki, Wukoki, Citadel & Nalakihu. Wupatki is the largest and the only one we visited on this trip. It was first inhabited around 500 AD and comprised of a large structure of more than 100 rooms plus two nearby kivas.  85  - 100 people lived there around 1182; it was abandoned around 1225.  The population in the area grew after Sunset Crater erupted in the 11th century and people were forced to move due to the lava. The volcanic ash improved the soil's ability to retain water. aiding in agriculture.and bringing more population to the area.