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.The monument features a visitor center, two short self-guided mesa top trails, two small campgrounds, and picnic area.In the summer, rangers guide visitors on tours of the Keet Seel and Betatakin cliff dwellings. Tours are usually available during the winter, spring, and fall months as well.Keet Seel, the largest Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwelling in Arizona, flourished during the last half of the 13th century.
The monument's visitor center, trails and campground are open year-round. Access to the ruins is through guided daily tours from Memorial Day through September.The Betatakin Ruin can be seen from an overlook on a one-mile, round-trip trail.No other hiking is allowed except on the established trails because the surrounding Navajo Nation land is not public land.The Sandal Trail to the Betatakin Overlook is paved and accessible to wheelchairs; due to its steepness, manual wheelchairs will need assistance during the return trip.One site at Sunset View Campground is paved for wheelchair access. The visitor center has a computer with an interactive documentary tour for people with sight and hearing impairments.
