In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're spotlighting a gem that's easy to miss: Walnut Canyon National Monument.
We’re here to tell you why you should definitely add this spot to your itinerary, especially if you're cruising between the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest. It's small, it's packed with history, and it's got some seriously cool cliff dwellings!
Join us as we discuss…
- Why this small park is the perfect pit stop for a dose of ancient history
- The epic 60-million-year story of how Walnut Creek carved this canyon (Spoiler: it involves a lot of time and a little bit of water)
- Who the Sinagua people were and why they're different from other ancestral Puebloans in the Southwest
- What you can do in this small but mighty park
- Why this monument has opening and closing hours (it's not just to be annoying, we promise!)
We hope you're ready to add Walnut Canyon to your must-see list! It's an incredible place to experience a piece of Native American history up close. So, hit the island trail, soak in the views, and as always, get some dirt in your shoes!
Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook and Instagram page for more travel planning and ideas!!
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources and deals to get your trip-planning started, check out the full show notes.
....................................
Are you hoping for an epic and stress-free national park trip? Check out these FREE resources to make trip planning a breeze!
- Master Reservation List – learn about the camping, lodging, and activity reservations required for every park.
- National Parks By Month List – see the best parks to visit during every month of the year.
- National Parks Checklist – track where you’ve been and where you still need to go.
- National Parks Packing List – pack the essentials to be confident and prepared as you explore the parks.
And for more information about Grand Canyon or Petrified Forest, check out our Grand Canyon Podcast Episodes and Petrified Forest Podcast Episodes!
....................................
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.