The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American reservation in the United States. It is home to some of the most iconic landscapes of the American Southwest (such as Monument Valley). The Navajo Nation is one of the reservations that are visitor-friendly, and tourists are welcome. Some parts of the reservation are open to the public, while other places require a guided tour to explore.
These are ten of the best attractions in the Navajo Nation in the Southwest US, which visitors should add to their trip itineraries when exploring this stunning and historic region of the country.
10
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is one of the most recognizable valleys in the world and among the best places in the Navajo Nation to visit today. The Monument Valley is home to mesas and buttes that have eroded over the eons as the lands have been uplifted, forming striking landscapes.
The three most famous buttes in Monument Valley are the West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, and the Merrick Butte (the West and East buttes are collectively called the buttes).
Access: Free via U.S. Route 163
9
Antelope Canyon
The Antelope Canyon is one of the most famous attractions of the Navajo Nation and one of the most stunning national attractions in the Southwest region of the United States.
Antelope Canyon is particularly known for its curves, twists, and colors. Visitors must note that it is only accessible by taking a guided tour approved by the Najavo Nation.
Access: By Guided Tour Only
8
Canyon De Chelly National Monument
The Canyon de Chelly National Monument is one of the leading attractions in the Navajo Nation. Not only are the canyon's landscapes stunning, but they are also full of historic ruins that people can see.
It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited canyons in the USA, and visitors can see a number of ancient Ancestral Pueblo sites here dated from between 350 and 1350 AD.
Access: Free (Jeep Tours Are Available)
7
Hopi Reservation
The Hopi Reservation is another Native American reservation completely found within the Navajo Nation. It is a nation within a nation within a nation, so to speak.
To get to the Hopi Reservation, visitors must first go through the Navajo Nation. The Hopi Reservation is generally closed to tourists, but it is possible to visit with an approved guided tour, so this trip requires a little more prior planning.
Access: By Guided Tour Only
6
Navajo Bridge
The historic Navajo Bridge over the Marble Canyon at the beginning of the Grand Canyon is one of the very few bridges over the Grand Canyon.
It is one of the great places to go in the region away from all the masses of tourists and to get awesome photos. It is located partly in the Navajo Nation, and, fortunately for tourists, it is free to visit.
Access: Free to Visit
5
Navajo National Monument
The Navajo National Monument is a great archeological attraction in the Navajo Nation. It protects three well-preserved cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo who inhabited these lands hundreds of years ago (researchers are still debating why they were abandoned).
The three cliff dwelling sites are Keet Seel, Betatakin, and the Inscription House. There are ranger-led tours; however, the Navajo National Monument and its ancient preserved cliff dwellings are free to visit.
Access: Free to the Public
4
U.S. Route 163
Monument Valley is such a famous attraction in the Navajo Nation that it has sometimes come to symbolize the American Southwest.
The famous road through Monument Valley is U.S. Route 163 - this is the road that Forrest Grump gave up running on in the iconic movie of the same name. Go and see the eye-watering mesas and geological features of the valley.
Access: Free to the Public
3
Totem Pole
The Totem Pole is one of the most remarkable attractions in the Monument Valley. Totem Pole is an exceptionally well-eroded feature and is very much worth visiting while in the valley. It is accessed by the scenic 17-mile loop.
Visitors should keep in mind that the Totem Pole (along with the mesas of the Navajo Nation) is off-limits to the public - no one is permitted to hike on them.
Access: Free Via The Loop Road
2
Four Corners Monument
The Four Corners Monument marks the quadripoint where the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona come together. It is the only point in the country where four states meet.
The point is also the boundary of two reservations - the Navajo Nation and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation.
Access: Free to the Public
1
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
The Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site is one of the historic attractions in the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is also a place where visitors can learn about the expansion of the United States and the interaction between the settlers and the Navajo.
The trading post is a historic place where these two very different cultures came to trade. It was established in 1878 and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1960.
Access: Free (Opening Hours 8.00 am to 5.00 pm)
