Ron Dungan/KJZZ

Wupatki National Monument is seeking public comments on its backcountry management plan.

The National Park Service is considering changes to the backcountry management plan for a popular national monument north of Flagstaff.

Wupatki National Monument was once a bustling Pueblo trade center with a ball court and other structures.

Today, some of these features are accessible by asphalt or dirt trails; others are off limits. The park offers ranger-led hikes into the backcountry, but only on a limited basis.

The changes could open more areas to hikers.

“What they’re looking at doing is to change the management structure to create different zones within the park,” said Alicyn Gitlin, of Friends of Flagstaff National Monuments.

Members of the public have until Jan. 16 to comment on the proposal.