Navajo National Monument - Arizona

Address:Tonalea, Arizona
Tel: (928) 672-2700

Explore 3 intact and preserved cliff dwellings of the ancestral Puebloans, at an elevation of 7300 feet. Hike through Navajo National Monument and go back in time to the days of the Hopi, who built their homes among the cliffs of NE Arizona.

The two largest villages at the Navajo National Monument are best known by their Navajo names - Betatakin, meaning "ledge house" and Keet Seel, meaning "remains of square house." Visitors are invited to explore the Betatakin cliff dwelling, a strenuous five-mile round trip hike into the Betatakin ruins. A 17-mile round trip hike through the Keet Seel dwelling is perfect for experienced hikers, however requires both a reservation and a backcountry permit, which are available at the trail orientation. An interpretive tour with a park ranger is available to both dwellings. The Monument's Visitor Center has great exhibits on the prehistoric Pueblo people (Anasazi) and modern Navajo Indians and visitors can view a 5 minute slide program. For the more history-curious, there's a 20 minute Betatakin tour video, and a 25 minute film on the prehistoric Pueblo people.

As the Navajo National Monument is located on a high plateau, summer temperatures are in the 90's, but cool down to pleasant temperatures at night. Be sure to allow one hour for the museum, a video, and to observe Navajo artists. The Navajo National Monument is located at the end of State Highway 564 off of U.S. Highway 160.

Navajo National Monument preserves three of the most intact cliff dwellings of the ancestral puebloan people (Hisatsinom). The Navajo people who live here today call these ancient ones "Anasazi." The monument is high on the Shonto Plateau, overlooking the Tsegi Canyon system in the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona.