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Navajo National Monument

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Activities

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  • Recommended Activities
    The visitor center features museum exhibits about Anasazi (Hisatsinom) and Navajo culture, and a 20 minute video about the Betatakin cliff dwelling. Behind the visitor center, two short overlook trails take visitors to an overlook of the Betatakin cliff dwelling, and an overlook of a relict forest left over from the ice age. Signs along the trails identify native plants, and how the Hopi and Navajos have traditionally used them.

    From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Betatakin guided hikes are available. There is one hike daily, which departs the visitor center at 8:15 am MDT. Up to 25 visitors can participate in this 5 hour, 5 mile ranger guided tour. No fees are charged for this hike. Hikers should bring drinking water and be prepared for a fairly strenuous trek.

    From Memorial Day to Labor day, backcountry permits are available for the strenuous hike to Keet Seel, one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the southwest. Up to 20 people per day may hike the 8.5 miles to Keet Seel, where they will be toured through the cliff dwelling by rangers. Hikers can camp one night at a primitive campground before returning to their cars. This hike requires advance planning and reservations; please call the monument for more details.

    The monument is surrounded by Navajo Nation land. NO HIKING or backcountry travel is allowed on these lands, which are essentially private property.



     

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