July 26, 2026
Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos Trail
northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona
Out last hike/walk of the day was on the Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos Trail. "Lomaki means "Beautiful House" in the Hopi language. Located at the end of this trail, it had nine rooms built from local limestone and sandstone and constructed in the last decade of the 1100s. Both the interior and exterior walls may have been coated with plaster, though none of the coating remains today. The two smaller structures on either side of the earth crack may have housed extended family of the people living in Lomaki. These structures are only a few of dozens surrounding both Lomaki and Citadel. With a keen eye you can spot other walls on top of nearby mesas. At one time this was a thriving community that traded with other communities for hundreds of miles. This trail is located 10 miles from the Wupatki Visitor Center. The trail is and easy, out-and-back hike on a rough gravel surface with gentle inclines. Some of the trail sections are blocked as under renovation, but not enough to prevent a meaningful visit and hike.
Today's hikers: Mike Bell, Jenny Bell. Scott Bell, Renée Robson, Jim Robson & John Robson.
The route
0.8 mi · 23 ft climbing · 29m out · 1.8 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
11 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (12)
Looking north across the grasslands toward the box canyon at the two pueblos, one on each side of Box Canyon. Today's hikers: Mike & Jenny; Not shown, Scott, Renée. Jim & John First, some information on Lomaki & Box Canyon Pueblos. Like most of these pueblo ruins, the paths are extablished and well maintained. We met this female Eastern Collared Lizard on our walk out. You can see the characteristic twin black bands wrapped around its neck, bordered by white. This is the Lomaki pueblo at the north end of the trail. Another view of the Lomaki pueblo that shows how it is sitting on the edge of the extension of the Box Canyon. Looking through a window of the Lomaki pueblo with a view of Humphreys Peak to the southwest. Next we walk back up, but atop, Box Canyon to get a view of the canyon and second pueblo. A view of the Box Canyon pueblo ruins. Unfortunately we could not go to or inside that pueblo due to ongoing trail restoration. A final view as we return down the Lomaki pueblo with Humphreys Peak in the background. Green stem paper-flower, a beautiful wildflower at this site.