Guided Tours

The park is not offering cliff dwelling tours from October 2019 - April 2020 due to limited staff. Seasonal park rangers will return in May for the 2020 summer season.
Ranger Bill says, "Come join a free tour next year and we'll see you in the canyon in 2020!"

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Betatakin Tours

Betatakin is CLOSED for the 2019-2020 Winter Season due to limited staff and cold weather conditions in the canyon.

The park will begin offering Betatakin tours in late March or early April 2020.

The tour may be cancelled due to staff availability and/or hazardous weather conditions. It is best to call the visitor center the day before you plan to join a guided tour to check if a tour will be offered.



Keet Seel Tours

KEET SEEL IS CLOSED FOR THE 2019 SEASON and will reopen Memorial Day Weekend 2020.

We will begin taking 2020 Keet Seel reservations in February 2020 by phone call or in person at the visitor center.

Caution: If you have hip, knee, heart, respiratory problems or recent surgery, please do not attempt any of the guided hikes.

Hike Smart At Navajo (PDF 472 KB)

Betatakin Cliff Dwelling Tour

2019 Betatakin Information (PDF 81KB)

 

The Betatakin cliff dwelling tour stops at this vantage point due to rock fall hazard.

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• Reservations are NOT required.

• A sign up sheet is available at the visitor center's front desk.

• Tours are first come, first served and are limited to 25 people per tour.

• Wear proper hiking shoes because the trails are unpaved.

• Bring 2 liters of water and snacks.

• Be prepared to hike in hot weather by bringing a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.

• Do not attempt this hike if you have any current injuries, major surgeries and medical conditions that would affect your ability to hike.

Due to rockfall hazard in the alcove, THE BETATAKIN TOURS DO NOT ENTER THE VILLAGE. Rangers give program from a safe distance beneath the village.

 

A view of the canyon from Tsegi Point Trail

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8:15 A.M. Betatakin Tour: The hike uses the Tsegi Point Trail which is a strenuous 5-mile round-trip trail. Tours usually take 4 to 5 hours. The trailhead begins at 7,300 ft. elevation; loses and regains 700 feet (218 meters).

Visitors are required to drive their vehicle to the trailhead.

 

The Aspen Trail is a switchback with stairs that are steep and strenuous. There are 927 steps from the bottom of the canyon to the visitor center and vice versa.

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Aspen Trail currently closed due to rockfall

Elevation loss/gain is 700 feet (218 meters) from the visitor center to the bottom of the canyon.

ATTENTION: The 8:15am tour is subject to cancellation due to severe weather condition, natural disaster, and/or staff shortage.

 

A guided group inside the alcove near the Betatakin Cliff Dwelling.

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Keet Seel Cliff Dwelling Tour

Keet Seel is closed for the 2019 season and will reopen Memorial Day Weekend 2020.

Keet Seel is a strenous 17 mile round trip backcountry hike.

Please note that each day is different on what is available for Keet Seel hikes. Reference the schedule below to see what is offered for certain days of the week.

Thursday-Sunday: Overnight trips and day hikes are allowed.
Monday: Day hikes are allowed. No overnight trips can be booked this day.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Keet Seel is closed to all hikes.

The park will begin accepting Keet Seel Permit reservations in February 2020.

Hiker(s) must attend a MANDATORY 3PM permit orientation at the visitor center the day before your scheduled hike.

Please read the Keet Seel Hiking Information (provided below), check the local weather forecast and call the visitor center for any additional information.

2019 Keet Seel hiking information (PDF 220KB).

 

The ranger station and the welcome sign at Keet Seel.

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Hikers have the option to do the Keet Seel hike in one day or stay overnight in the designated campground near Keet Seel.

KEET SEEL IS CLOSED ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

Visitors are allowed one OVERNIGHT STAY at the designated campground near Keet Seel from Thursday - Sunday.

Monday and the last day of the season (September 8, 2019) are for DAY HIKERS ONLY.

 

Early morning sunrise in Keet Seel.

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The hike to Keet Seel is strenuous and includes steep canyon switchback trails and sand dunes. Crossing the stream is a common occurence. Quicksand forms during summer monsoon season (July-August).

There is an elevation loss/gain of 1000 feet.

One gallon of water per person per day is recommended. Drinking water from the canyon stream is unsafe.

All Keet Seel hikers should be on the trail and hiking to Keet Seel before 8:00 A.M. MDT local time or earlier.

Keet Seel reservations are SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION during severe weather conditions. It is advised to call ahead for trail conditions so that unnecessary trips and disappointments are avoided.

 

Flat Stanley visiting Keet Seel with a ranger.

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