You are here

Home » Your Opportunity For Exploring Wupatki National Monument's Backcountry

Your Opportunity For Exploring Wupatki National Monument's Backcountry

Share
By Compiled From N... - February 16th, 2023

The window has opened on a lottery for a trek into the backcountry of Wupatki National Monument in Arizona/NPS file

A rare window has opened if you'd like to explore the backcountry of Wupatki National Monument in Arizona on an overnight backpack trek with a ranger.

The park is offering three overnight backcountry hikes this April to the Pueblo site known as Crack in The Rock. All hikes are Saturday to Sunday and the hike dates for April are the 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23.

This year’s hike lottery will be conducted using a new system on Recreation.gov. Applicants can apply via this link. The lottery application period closes on March 14 and applicants will be notified of their placement in hikes on March 17.

Participants on this hike experience the vast wilderness of Wupatki while backcountry camping, learning about geology, natural history, seeing amazing dark skies, and visiting several different archeological sites along the way. Hikers observe pueblo architecture, artifacts, and petroglyphs in an area that is not open to the public. Hikes are led by park rangers and subject matter experts.

The roundtrip hike to Crack in The Rock Pueblo is a two-day, strenuous backpacking trip in an isolated area of Wupatki National Monument. One night will be spent camping in the wilderness and hikers must bring all necessary food and equipment.

The hike is a rugged cross-country trek/NPS file

The hike is a rugged crosscountry trek/NPS file

The hike is approximately 18-20 miles round-trip over rough desert terrain at an elevation of approximately 4,500-4,900 feet. The route is cross-country; there is no designated trail. Hiking surfaces are uneven and vary from loose cinder to sandstone and limestone outcrops and talus slopes. Although overall elevation gain or loss is minimal, portions of the route include hiking in and out of washes and hilly areas. Please note that this is a rigorous hike over difficult terrain. There is minimal shade along the way. The vegetation, although sparse in many locations, can be thorny and sharp.

Weather can be extremely variable at Wupatki during the months of April and October. Temperatures can range from lows in the 20s-60s to highs in the 30s-90s, with average lows in the 40s, and highs in the 70s. While temperatures are inconsistent from one day to the next, a 30-degree difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures is generally the rule. Expect windy conditions which can often make balancing a heavy pack difficult. Snow and/or rain can occur in both April and October at Wupatki.

This is high desert country so no water is available at the campsite or along the way. Each hiker must carry a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day. Therefore, an empty pack will weigh a minimum of 16 pounds (8 pounds per gallon), plus the weight of the pack. After figuring in food, stove, tent, sleeping pad, and other needed equipment, a full pack can easily weigh 30 or 40 pounds or more. All hike participants must have the physical ability to hike in extreme temperatures over difficult terrain, and be able to carry their full pack for the complete duration of 16 miles.

The cost of this ranger guided activity is $75 per person (payable when selected to participate). Group size is limited to 15 people, including staff.

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Journalism about National Parks!

National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.