Navajo National Monument
Descendants of the Hopi people who built these cliff dwellings are called Hisatsinom. Several Zuin clans began in this area, also pueblo builders. Later, San Juan Southern Paiute, famous for their baskets, moved into this area and lived near the cliff dwellings. Today, the monument is surrounded by the Navajo Nation, as it has been for hundreds of years.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Nancy SkinnerPhone Number: 928-672-2700
Entrance Fees: Free
Sights: Sandal Trail; Aspen Trail; Canyon View Trail
Important Dates
Established as Park: March 20, 1909By The Numbers
Acres: 360.00Annual Visitation: 71,595 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :36.682480 / -110.543050 (map it)
State: AZ
Nearby Big City: Tonalea, AZ
Gateway Communities: Shonto, AZ; Kaibito, AZ; Tonalea, AZ; Kayenta, AZ
Nearby Airports: Page Municipal Airport (PGA); Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG); Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : No
In Detail
Camping Campgrounds Canyon View Campground Open April 1 through September 30 Phone 928/672-2700 This simple campground is a tenth of a mile away from the visitor center on an unpaved road. It is free and qui ... read more.
Frequently Asked Questions Navajo National Monument (NM)was established by President Taft in 1909. Navajo NM was established to preserve three specific outstanding 13th century cliff dwellings in Northern Arizona. Betatakin a ... read more.
History People Who Was Here? Descendants of the Hopi people who built these places are called Hisatsinom. Zuni, also pueblo builders, know that several of their clans began in this area. Later, San Juan Sou ... read more.
In A Nutshell Operating Hours & Seasons The visitor center is open 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday and 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday. Both Sunset View and Canyon View campgrounds are open. Sunset ... read more.
Just For Kids Junior Ranger Program Junior Ranger Program is for you! Just fill out the book, hand it to a ranger, and receive your Junior Ranger badge (You'll take a hike, see the muesum, and watch a movie, too. ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Permits To hike to Keet Seel/Kawestima requires a free permit; 20 people per day may hike the 8 1/2 miles each way. Call 928-672-2700 for reservation date. ... read more.
Preservation Centennial Initiative 2016 In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016, America invites the world to discover the meaning of national parks to their lives and inspire ... read more.
Things To Do Guided Tours Betatakin tours (They are free!) leave daily in the summer season with a ranger. Strenuous 5-mile round-trip hike takes 3 to 5 hours. Begins at 7,300 ft. elevation; loses and regains 70 ... read more.
Visitor Services Brochures There are a number of brochures available upon request. Ask for translations in German, French, Italian, and Japanese. Contact the Park SuperintendentNavajo National MonumentHC 71 Box 3To ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Trails Three Mesa Top Trails Behind Visitor Center Always Open Sandal Trail: paved trail leads top overlook of Betatakin/Talastima cliff dwelling (1-mile round trip). Aspen Trail: branches off Sandal ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Our Partners NACE (Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise) operates a gift shop in the visitor center. The shop specializes in Navajo silverwork, but sells many excellent examples of local crafts. A great ... read more.
Navajo In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
