Betatakin

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 6604 - 7232 feet
Cellphone: 0-1 bars
Time: 2 hrs. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Visitor Center
Fee: none
Attractions: Anasazi cliff dwelling

The Betatakin Cliff Dwelling is located in the Navajo National Monument near Kayenta, Arizona. Betatakin is one of the best preserved Anasazi cliff dwellings that can be found anywhere in the southwestern United States. Those wishing to visit the site must sign up in person for one of the free guided tours that are offered daily at 8:15 and 10:15 MDT between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Both tours are limited to groups of not more than 25 people and may be cancelled due to bad weather.

Aspen Trail

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 6993 - 7223 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Visitor Center
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic canyon views

The Aspen trail is located in the Navajo National Monument near Kayenta, Arizona. The trail begins behind the Visitor Center off of the Sandal trail where it partially descends into the head of Betatakin Canyon. The head of the canyon is a semi lush environment with a thick aspen and conifer forest that is watered by various seeps. The Aspen trail also serves as the main route to the Betatakin Cliff Dwelling. The cliff dwelling isn't visible from the Aspen trail but free guided tours are available twice daily at 8:15 and 10:15 MDT between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Sandal Trail

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 7110- 7267 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: Visitor Center
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic view of Betatakin

The Sandal Trail is located in the Navajo National Monument near Kayenta, Arizona. The trail begins behind the Visitor Center where it follows a paved path over slickrock and several wooden bridges. At the end of the short trail there is an overlook where visitors can peer down into the alcove of the well preserved Betatakin cliff dwelling built by the Anasazi or Ancestral Puebloans back in the 13th century. The trail should be accessible to wheelchairs with some minor assistance in places due to the grade.

Keet Seel

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 18 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 6294 - 7229 feet
Elevation gain: 1,950
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 9 hrs. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Keet Seel
Fee: none
Attractions: Cliff dwelling, waterfalls

Keet Seel is an Anasazi cliff dwelling located between Kayenta and Tuba City, Arizona in the Navajo National Monument. The site has one of the best preserved Anasazi cliff dwellings found in the southwest. Getting to Keet Seel requires descending from the mesa at Tsegi Point into the canyons of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. Once in the canyons hikers follow a marked route with numerous stream crossings and several waterfalls until they arrive at a Ranger Station just below the ruin. A Park Ranger will then take them on a guided tour of the site. Visitors must make a reservation and obtain a permit, which is available for free after taking part in a special orientation, before being allowed to enter the canyon. Those that would like to split the long journey over a 2 day period can backpack in and stay at the campground located near the site.