Navajo National Monument features well-preserved ruins of villages left behind about 1300 by prehistoric Pueblo Indians -- the Kayenta Anasazi. Built and occupied for only 50 years, the ruins represent the final settlement of farmers who adapted to the area's scarce rainfall to grow crops, build houses and raise families, then mysteriously move on.
General Information
Navajo National Monument is open year round.
There are no entrance, camping or other fees.
Visitor Center
- Elevation: 7,300 feet
- Hours:8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Facilities/Features
Stores/Museums
Books, maps, audio and video cassettes, slides, posters and postcards can be purchased at the Visitor Center. Authentic Native American craftwork is available at the arts and crafts store next door and at the head of Sandal Trail.
Programs & Events
Evening campfire programs are available. Check with park staff at visitor center for scheduled times.
Ranger Tours
Betatakin Ruin can be visited only with a ranger guided tour. Check the visitor center for schedules.
Food/Supplies
There are no food and supplies available in the Monument. Limited supplies are available at Black Mesa Trading Post at the junction of Arizona 564 and U.S. 160, which is 10 miles south of the Visitor Center.
Accessibility
The Visitor Center, restrooms and one campsite are available to visitors with limited mobility. A captioned, narrative video of the Betatakin tour is shown on request.
Geography
Navajo National Monument is located on the Colorado Plateau of northeastern Arizona. Being at the transition zone between the Sonoran and Great Basin deserts, the climate is hot and dry, but mitigated by an elevation of 7,300 feet. Thus winters can be very cold with occasional snow; summer nights can be cool as well. The Monument is situated on a plateau between Navajo Mountain, 30 miles to the northwest, and Black Mesa, 20 miles to the southeast.
Getting There
There is no public transportation to the Monument.
By Air: The nearest airport, is at Page, AZ.
By Bus: Flagstaff AZ has the nearest train connection.
By Auto: Take U.S. Highway 160, 50 miles northeast of Tuba City, AZ or 20 miles southeast of Kayenta, AZ. Turn north onto a 10-mile paved road, Arizona 564, to the Visitor Center.
Camping & Lodging
Lodging
There is no lodging in Navajo National Monument. Motel lodging is available in Kayenta, AZ, Tuba City and Page, AZ. Click on city for rates, availability and reservation online.
Camping
The year-round campground has 30 sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is water, but no hookups or showers. Trailers longer than 25 feet in length are discouraged. Reservations are accepted for limited group camping (minimum 10 persons/group) in the overflow campground, which has 11 sites.
Rules & Regulations
It is the visitor's responsibility to know and obey park rules. Regulations are designed for visitors' protection and to protect natural resources.
- Wood fires are not allowed.
- Keep pets on leash at all time.
- Pets are not allowed in buildings or on trails.
- Do not camp under ledges or cliffs
HC-71, Box 3
Tonalea, AZ 86044-9704
928-672-2700
928-672-2703 (fax)
Navajo National Monument
