Guided Tours

 

Betatakin is open to tours from Mid-May to Mid-September.

Keet Seel is open from May 28, 2018 to September 8, 2018.

Cliff dwelling tours are closed between October and April.

***Please refer to the information provided below to see specific dates and times the cliff dwellings are closed to tours.

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

Betatakin Cliff Dwelling Tour

Two (2) guided tours are offered daily from May 26, 2018 to August 04, 2018.

From August 6th to the middle of September 2018, ONE guided tour is offered daily at 10am MDT.

2018 Betatakin tour information (PDF 81KB)

 

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

NPS Photo

• Reservations are NOT required.

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

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

• Please wear proper hiking shoes because the trails are unpaved.

• Bring at least 2 liters of water and snacks.

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

• Please inform park rangers of any injuries or major surgeries and/or medical conditions that would affect your ability to hike.

Due to rock fall 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

NPS Photo

8:15 A.M. Betatakin Tour: (this tour is ONLY AVAILABLE on Tuesdays during the months of August and September 2018) This strenuous 5-mile round-trip hike takes 4 to 5 hours using the Tsegi Point Trail. 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.

NOTE: The 8:15 A.M. Betatakin Tour will use the steep 3 mile Aspen Trail if there are hazardous weather conditions such as high temperatures or thunderstorms.

 

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.

NPS Photo

The 10:00 A.M. Betatakin Tour is a very strenuous 3-mile round-trip hike and takes 3 to 5 hours.

The tour begins at the visitor center using the Aspen Trail.

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

ATTENTION: The 8:15 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. tours are subject to cancellation due to staff shortages and/or safety concerns such as flooding and thunderstorms.

 

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

NPS Photo

 

Keet Seel Cliff Dwelling Tour

The back country hike to Keet Seel uses a 17 mile roundtrip trail. A free permit is required and can be reserved by calling the visitor center at 928-672-2725 or 2727.

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

***Please note: We no longer offer an 8am orientation on the day of hike. Please plan ahead so your hiking group can all attend the orientation the day before scheduled hike.

2018 Keet Seel hiking information (PDF 220KB).

 

The ranger station and the welcome sign at Keet Seel.

NPS Photo

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 TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

Visitors are allowed to OVERNIGHT CAMP in the designated campground at Keet Seel from Thursday to Sunday only.

Mondays and the last day of the season (September 8th) are DAY HIKERS ONLY.

 

Early morning sunrise in Keet Seel.

NPS Photo

The hike to Keet Seel is strenuous including canyon switch backs and climbing sand dunes. Crossing the stream multiple times is a common occurence on this trail. Quicksand may be present during and after the summer monsoon season (July-August).

There is an elevation loss of up to 1000 feet from the visitor center to the canyon floor.

Bring at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Drinking from the canyon's stream water is NOT ALLOWED.

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

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

 

Flat Stanley visiting Keet Seel with a ranger.

NPS Photo