Visit Three Remarkable National Parks on the Navajo Nation
From ancient cliff dwellings to present day hogans, the desert Arizona canyons on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona foster a special connection to Indigenous culture and history. Three national parks—Navajo National Monument, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, and Canyon de Chelly National Monument—help protect these sacred homelands and provide opportunities for visitors to respectfully experience and appreciate Native culture and ways of life.
Navajo National Monument
The Diné (Navajo people) have called this region home for generations.
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have lived and thrived in these sacred canyons, cultivating and coxisting with the landscape. At Navajo National Monument, families still continue to live traditional lives, raising livestock and growing crops on the high desert landscape. Just 2 miles from the visitor center, the accessible Sandal Trail leads to an overlook of the Betatakin cliff dwelling. Schedule ranger-guided hikes to go deep into the canyon and visit Betatakin and Keet Seel, well-preserved ancestral Puebloan dwellings last physically occupied around 1300 CE. These tours are quite strenuous, and are not recommended for young or inexperienced hikers. While the ancient architecture is extraordinary, the living culture and natural landscapes are equally beautiful.
Check NPS.gov for current alerts. For help planning your trip, check out DiscoverNavajo and VisitArizona.
Pets are permitted in the parking lot and campground, but not on trails to protect the environment and cultural resources of the park.
Camping is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to leave no trace and follow park guidelines.
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
This well-preserved trading post on the Navajo Nation is affectionately called “Hubbell’s.”
It has been operating since 1878, making it the oldest continuously operating trading post on the Navajo Nation and in the United States. Trading posts on the Nation were important places where the Diné traded for necessary supplies as they re-established themselves after the tragic US-imposed exile at Bosque Redondo, known as “The Long Walk.” It was a place to trade for goods and also gather for community connection.
Still a trading post and also a national historic site, Hubbell’s is still a place for the community of Ganado, as well as a place for visitors to respectfully learn about and experience the site’s history and culture. You can walk the squeaky wooden floors and browse handmade Navajo rugs, jewelry, and more in the “bullpen.” While you’re there, enjoy a free ranger-guided tour of the Hubbell home. Learn how trader Don Lorenzo Hubbell and his family prospered, lived, and worked alongside the Diné. Hear the compelling stories of the notable figures hosted by the Hubbells, of the survival and resilience of the Diné, and the cultural significance of the trading post and the art of weaving.
Check NPS.gov for current alerts. For help planning your trip, check out DiscoverNavajo and VisitArizona.
Pets are not permitted at the site.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
For nearly 5,000 years, Indigenous tribes have lived in these sacred canyons located on the Navajo Nation.
Experience this awe-inspiring homeland of the Diné (Navajo people) at Canyon de Chelly (“de-SHAY”) National Monument. At several overlooks, you can gaze down at the red sandstone cliffs where Diné families still make their homes today. Sign up for a canyon tour with a Navajo guide to fully immerse yourself in the living culture and stories of the Diné. As you take in dramatic canyon views, listen as your guide shares insights about daily life, customs, and respect for this ancestral place. You can also sign up for a jeep tour of the canyon.
Check NPS.gov for current alerts. For help planning your trip, check out DiscoverNavajo and VisitArizona.
Pets are welcome at the Cottonwood Campground and at scenic overlooks. Pets are not permitted on tours or trails.
Camping is permitted at Cottonwood Campground.
One Weekend, Three Astounding Parks
Whether you’re looking to understand Indigenous history or stand in awe and respect among cliffside dwellings and sacred homelands, these three sites offer immersive experiences with northern Arizona’s vibrant Indigenous cultures. If you’d like to visit all three national parks on the Navajo Nation, you can start from Flagstaff, Arizona, and drive to 2.5 hours to Hubbell Trading Post. After your ranger-guided tour of Hubbell’s, drive less than an hour to Canyon de Chelly National Monument and experience the majestic overlooks of the canyon landscapes. From there, drive another 1.5 hours to Navajo National Monument with enough time to take one of the self-guided trails. The 2.5-hour return drive from Navajo National Monument to Flagstaff is absolutely stunning and one you might choose to make during the day. Of course, you can also take a detour to see the Grand Canyon on your return trip if you have a little more time. Check out Discover Flagstaff for more helpful planning tips if you’re hoping to explore the city a bit. Come discover the places, stories, and people that hold this region’s ancestral cultures and living traditions.
By Julie Thompson
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