Plan Your Visit

Welcome sign at entrance of the park. The park is free and open year-round.

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General Information

Navajo National Monument is a free park and is open year-round. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

The park offers a Visitor Center, self-guided trails, seasonal ranger-led hikes, camping, and many other visitor experiences that are free of charge. Please check with park staff for updates about available services as this information is subject to change.

Remember the Navajo Nation observes Daylight Savings Time from March to November when local time is the same as Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

 

Park visitors participating in an event at the visitor center.

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Visitor Center

What you can find at the Visitor Center:

• a front desk where park staff can offer more information about the park

• a park store that offers books, jewelry and souvenirs

• a museum that features cliff dwelling artifacts and dioramas

• an auditorium where park films are played upon request

• free brochure in English and translation for visitors in Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.

 

Park visitors walking on the Sandal Trail, the most popular self-guided trail in the park.

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Self-guided Trails

Three (3) self-guided trails are generally available to use from sunrise to sunset even when the park is closed. Trails can be accessed from the parking lot and begin behind the Visitor Center. For your safety, please stay on trails and away from the canyon edge.

1) Sandal Trail: 1.3 mile (2.09 km) round-trip paved trail to the Betatakin Cliff Dwelling overlook. The Betatakin Cliff Dwellings can be seen from a 1/4 mile distance so bringing binoculars is recommended. The trail is paved with a 150 feet elevation change. The trail generally takes 30 minutes to walk the entire length depending on the amount of time spent at the overlook. NOTICE: This is the only point in the park where visitors can view the cliff dwelling other than on the guided tours.

2) Aspen Trail: 0.8 mile (1.29 km) steep round-trip nature trail that leads to an overlook of a relict forest on the canyon floor. The elevation change is 350 feet and is strenuous for non-hikers. The trail generally takes 30-45 minutes depending on the amount of the spent at the overlook. NOTICE: Cliff dwelling cannot be seen from here.

3) Canyon View Trail: 0.8 mile (1.29 km) round-trip canyon rim trail that leads to the park's historic ranger station and provides views of the canyon. The trail is flat and is unpaved. The trail generally takes 15-20 minutes to walk the entire length. NOTICE: Cliff dwellings can not be seen from here.

 

View from a campsite at Canyon View Campground. Camping is free.

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Campgrounds

Camping is available in the park in designated areas only. Please check with park staff in the Visitor Center for current information.

Sunset View Campground: Generally OPEN year round. This FREE campground is located near the Visitor Center and is available on a first come, first serve basis. 31 sites each with a picnic table and grill. Dry camping only. No group sites available.

Canyon View Campground: Generally OPEN for the summer season, but CLOSED for the winter.

NOTICE: During the dry summers, fire restrictions may be in effect across the Navajo Nation, so please inquire at the Visitor Center for current information. Dispersed camping is not permitted in the park due to the protection of the ecological resources. Dispersed camping is also not allowed on tribal lands on the Navajo Nation because it is considered trespassing. The nearest camping facilities available are at Canyon de Chelly National Monument; Monument Valley, UT; and Page, AZ.

 

Navajo National Monument Junior Rangers at a Junior Ranger Camp. Junior Ranger Camps are offered during the summer.

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More Information

Navajo National Monument offers Junior Ranger activities, educational programs, and community events throughout the year.

Follow our social media by liking Navajo National Monument's official Facebook page for updates. You can also call us at 928-672-2700 during regular business hours.