Navajo National Monument Photo: MPSharwood / CC BY-SA 4.0
United States › Arizona

Navajo National Monument

ByWilderness Experts

Navajo National Monument protects two of the largest and best-preserved cliff villages in the Southwest, Betatakin and Keet Seel, in the Tsegi Canyon system on the Navajo Nation. A short paved trail looks across the canyon to Betatakin, and a permit hike of 17 miles (27 km) round trip reaches Keet Seel.

Fast facts

  • Established: 1909
  • Size: about 360 acres (146 ha) in three units
  • Villages: Betatakin, Keet Seel and Inscription House, last lived in around 1300
  • Elevation: about 7,300 feet (2,230 m) at the visitor center
  • Gateway: Kayenta, Arizona
  • Managed by: the National Park Service, on the Navajo Nation

The landscape

Tsegi Canyon’s red sandstone walls hold huge alcoves, and in them ancestral Puebloan people built villages of stone and wood. Springs water aspen, fir and oak on the canyon floor. The Hopi, Zuni, San Juan Southern Paiute and Navajo peoples all have ties to these places.

Best time to go

Late spring to fall. The Keet Seel trail is open in the warmer months, roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms. Winter is cold, with snow at this elevation.

We have no photo gallery for Navajo National Monument yet. If you have been, share a photo and we will credit you.Sign in to share a photo

Getting there and around

The visitor center is at the end of AZ 564, 9 miles (14 km) north of US 160 near Kayenta. The Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time, unlike the rest of Arizona.

Things to do

The Sandal Trail, about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) round trip and paved, leads to an overlook of Betatakin in its alcove across the canyon. The Aspen Trail drops into a forest of aspen and fir. Rangers lead seasonal hikes of about 5 miles (8 km) round trip down to Betatakin itself.

Keet Seel, one of the best-preserved villages in the Southwest, is a trail of about 17 miles (27 km) round trip through Tsegi Canyon, with many shallow stream crossings. A free permit and an orientation are required, numbers are limited each day, and hikers can stay overnight at a primitive campground near the site.

Staying safe

The Keet Seel trail involves a steep descent and climb, wet feet and quicksand in places, and summer heat; carry all the water you need and treat any you collect. Flash floods can run through the canyon in storms.

Know before you go

There is no entrance fee. Keet Seel needs a free permit, with a limited number each day and an orientation before the hike; call the visitor center to reserve. Betatakin can be visited only with a ranger. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm the Keet Seel season and permits with the National Park Service before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
36.7175, -110.6576
Magnetic declination
9.6° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

8 places in Navajo National Monument

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Visitor centre

On the trail 3

Trailhead

Routes

Sights 4

Heritage sites

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeWeekend backpackingCar campingCultural visit

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
CanyonsForestDesert
Key hazards
Steep canyon climbsStream crossings and quicksandHeatFlash floods
Best seasons
Late spring, Summer, Early fall
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
End of AZ 564, 9 miles (14 km) north of US 160 near Kayenta.
Water
At the visitor center; treat stream water on the Keet Seel trail.
Cell / satellite coverage
Limited.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911. Visitor center: 928-672-2700.
Permits & regulations
No entrance fee. Free Keet Seel permit with daily limit and orientation; Betatakin by ranger-led hike only.
Leave No Trace
Stay on trails, never enter villages except with a ranger, and leave artifacts in place.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high64°F(18°C)18°C(64°F)
Average low41°F(5°C)5°C(41°F)
Rainfall0.9 in(24 mm)24 mm(0.9 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 19 minSunrise 7:29 a.m., sunset 6:47 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Betatakin station, 7 miles (11 km)11 km (7 miles) away at 7,286 feet (2,221 m)2,221 m (7,286 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official monument website → Last verified 2026-09-30

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

Looking for somewhere closer to home?
See every park and monument within a day’s drive of where you are.

Destinations near me →