Keet Seel Trips

Ranger with visitors at Keet Seel village

NPS

 

CAUTION

Know your limit! Please do not attempt the guided hikes if you have hip, knee, heart, respiratory problems or had any recent surgery.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Remember the Navajo Nation and park observe Daylight Savings Time from March to November during which local time will be the same as Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

The park has the right to cancel hikes due to unforeseen circumstances such as staff availability, inclement weather, hazardous conditions, etc... We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Betatakin:

Please note that visitors must be accompanied by NPS staff when visiting Betatakin. The park does not allow unsupervised visits to the site for the safety of visitors and for the protection of irreplaceable archaeological and cultural resources. Visitors may visit Betatakin by joining the scheduled NPS guided hikes.

Keet Seel:

Special overnight trips to Keet Seel are offered seasonally when staff is available. Trips to Keet Seel (Kawestima) will be offered 2 times in April, May, September and October. The park does not allow unsupervised visits to the site. Registration and safety orientation are required. More details below.

Inscription House:

This site is closed to the public indefinitely due to its remote location, fragility of the site, and at the request of local residents with concerns of trespassing and vandalism. Please be respectful of this decision.

 

The ranger station and the welcome sign at Keet Seel.

NPS

Guided overnight trips to Keet Seel

All hikes are subject to cancellation at any time, especially in times of inclement weather or hazardous conditions. All registered participants will be notified in the event of cancellation.

The hike to Keet Seel is a 17 mile roundtrip backcountry hike and is very strenuous. The hike includes steep canyon switchback trails and sand dunes that are difficult to walk through. Crossing the stream is a common occurrence and can't be avoided. Quicksand may be present during the summer monsoon season (July and August).

This hike is not recommended for children under the age of 10 years old and for people who are not avid hikers, are physically disabled, have joint problems pertaining to knees, and/or any other serious health conditions.

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.

 

Early morning sunrise in Keet Seel.

NPS

Trail conditions to Keet Seel

Please be prepared for the trail conditions on the hike to Keet Seel:

• 1,000 feet of elevation change from rim to canyon floor.
• Rocky switchback trails and steep sand dunes.
• Shallow streams, with multiple water crossings, water is unavoidable on this hike. Areas with quicksand are a possibility.
• Deep gullies and eroded washes.
• Campground has no facilities, flat brushy surfaces, and ample gamble oak trees.

 

Details for Trips to Keet Seel

All hikes are subject to cancellation at any time, especially in times of inclement weather or hazardous conditions. All registered participants will be notified in the event of cancellation.

KEET SEEL

Keet Seel is the largest Ancestral Puebloan structure in the state of Arizona. To see this site, hikers must complete a 17-mile roundtrip hike over the course of two days. This hike will be led by NPS Park Rangers, and will be a group experience. Under no circumstances may any participant leave the group or NPS guide. Each hike will be limited to 20 participants, first come, first served. Participants will receive a confirmation email as well as a follow up phone call a day prior to confirm arrival. Incoming registrations will be notified if the 20 participant limit is reached.

ORIENTATION

Registered hikers will be required to attend a safety orientation. Details of the hiking schedule are available upon registration.

RULES

As part of this backcountry overnight hike, the following rules have been established:

• Be prepared to pack in and pack out all food, water, supplies, trash and waste.
• Hikers must bring all needed food and water for the backcountry camp, at least 1 gallon of water per day is highly recommended. The stream water is unsafe for human consumption, even when filtered.
• All trash including food items and peels must be packed out.
• All solid human waste (excrement) must be packed out in disposable biodegradable bag toilet system approved for landfill disposal. Waste Alleviating Gel (WAG) bags will be utilized as restroom facilities are unavailable.
• Camp stoves are allowed; however, open campfires are not allowed.

REQUIRED GEAR

Required Gear Includes:

• All food and water necessary for the hike

• Pack, tent, sleeping bag and sleeping gear

• Well fitted and broken in hiking boots

• Clothing appropriate for forecasted weather

• Flashlight or headlamp

• Emergency rain poncho

• Personal first aid Kit

• WAG bags and restroom necessities

Recommended Optional Gear:

• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Binoculars
• Camera
• Extra Socks
• Water Shoes

 

REGISTRATION

2026 Keet Seel Hiking Trips:

Registration for September and October trips will be open at a later date. Trips are limited to 20 people on a first come-first serve basis. Overnight trips are scheduled as follows:

• 2 trips in April = April 16-17; April 29-30
• 2 trips May = May 11-12; May 23-24
• 2 trips in September = September 19-20; September 29-30 (CANCELLED)
• 2 trips in October = October 17-18 (CANCELLED); October 22-23 (CANCELLED)

 

THE LINK FOR REGISTRATION WILL BE POSTED BELOW:

Registration for the fall Keet Seel hikes will be live on August 1.

Please see the link to register for the overnight trip >>>> LINK IS CLOSED. SIGN UP AND WAITLIST ARE FULL AT THIS TIME.