The best camping in Wupatki National Monument, AZ

Check out this large group of ancient ruins on the edge of the Painted Desert. Deep-red pueblos, made from sandstone, gather in piles and walls to mark the area. You can imagine what it must have been like to try to make a living here. Scientists believe the site dates back to the 1100s or 1200s.

Walls of red brick are a couple of stories tall, which is unusual for ancient ruins. The fact that there are many buildings scattered over a wide area also makes this place special. Think about the people who once thrived here as an agricultural community near an arid desert. Perhaps the area was more fertile back then. Maybe this was their idea of home.

Wupatki has several adventuring opportunities. Pay a small admission fee to drive around the ruins in your car. Park and explore the site as you see fit. There are more than 800 ruins over the entire scope of the park. Five of the main ones are near the loop road.

Winter time is actually the best time to visit. You can camp overnight in the backcountry to explore some of the more remote ruins. This type of tour also puts you closer to the area's wildlife. Winter hikes take you out into the sagebrush and tall grass to discover birds, reptiles, and small mammals. If you choose to go on a hike, take plenty of water and sunscreen during warmer weather.

The closest big city is Flagstaff, 30 miles to the southwest. Campsites between here and Flagstaff provide a jumping-off point for your adventure.