Navajo National Monument ⓘ

Navajo National Monument represents a long cultural history. The monument was first created in 1909 to protect the remains of three large pueblos dating to the 13 th century C.E.: Keet Seel, Betatakin, and Inscription House. In addition to the large pueblo villages, archaeological evidence documents human use of this region over the past several thousand years. The earliest people to live in the Tsegi and Nitsin Canyon regions were hunters and gatherers, who relied on hunting wild animals and gathering wild plants for food. These early people were highly mobile, and moved around a large region to gather food with the changing seasons. Their archaeological footprint is limited. Around 2000 years ago, the inhabitants of the region began to grow maize, soon followed by other crops. They also began to live in more settled villages of semi-underground pithouses. The early communities are known as the Basketmakers.

The Ancestral Pueblo culture emerged as these early farmers began to depend on farming for most of their food. They built above-ground masonry houses, farmed the canyon streambeds, and interacted with far-reaching communities across the Colorado Plateau. Betatakin, Keet Seel, and Inscription House were all built in large, natural alcoves which formed in the towering Navajo Sandstone Formation due to the local geological conditions. As water moves through the porous Navajo Sandstone, it hits the less porous Kayenta Formation of shale and limestone, and moves horizontally. This movement causes cracking, sheeting, and spalling of the rock, resulting in eroded alcoves, as well as seeps and springs inside the canyons. For villagers living here and farming the canyonlands, the alcoves offer shelter from the elements, as well as natural spring water.

The Ancestral Pueblo people farmed the streambeds in the canyon bottoms, enabling them to flourish in this high desert environment. They hunted wild game and grew corn, beans, and squash. Climate at this time was similar to today, and these farmers relied on the canyon streams for water. Although they succeeded here for several hundred years, by 1300 CE, the villagers had all moved on. They may have left after a prolonged drought made farming here extremely difficult. Today, the land surrounding Navajo National Monument is part of the Navajo Nation. The Navajo, or Diné, have lived in this region for several hundred years. Sheep and cattle ranching are an important part of life for the Navajo, which is visible on the landscape today.

The entrance to Sunset View Campground. A sign states the campground rules. NPS Photo

CAMPGROUNDS IN THE PARK Sunset View Campground is OPEN year round. Canyon View Campground is generally open for the summer and closed for the winter. Please contact the park for details. Violations to the campground regulations will be reported to Navajo Nation Police Department and can result in removal from the park. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Camping Limit is 7 days per visit and 14 days per year. Fire Restrictions across the Navajo Nation may be in effect during the dry summer months. Please inquire at the Visitor Center for current updates. DISPERSED CAMPING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE PARK AND ON THE NAVAJO NATION. Camping in locations that are not permitted in the park causes damage to the ecosystem and is unsafe for park visitors. Undesignated access to tribal lands is considered trespassing. Camping is FREE! Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. No group campsites available at Sunset View Campground. No registration and/or reservations are required. Dry camping only. Please be aware that there are NO RV DUMP SITES OR HOOKUPS at both campgrounds. Potable water is available at Sunset View Campground for cooking and filling small containers. Potable water is available outside of the restrooms at the sink. The water is unavailable during the winter months. PLEASE DO NOT USE WATER TO FILL UP RVS. Quiet Hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. More sites can be found at Canyon View Campground (closed during winter months). Navajo Nation Law prohibits alcoholic beverages on the reservation. The campground is intended for individuals or groups that are camping overnight. No long term camping is permitted. Reservations are not accepted for single sites. Single sites are available on a “First-Come, First-Serve” basis only. Open fires are not allowed. Cooking is permitted in the grills provided. Charcoal must be supplied by site users. Please put out charcoal fires after each use. If the park is under fire restrictions, then there are no charcoal fires allowed. It is illegal to cut and collect firewood in the park. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Pet waste must be properly disposed. Overnight parking is not permitted on or alongside roads, in the parking lots, at the picnic area or at the overlooks. Livestock is not permitted in the campground. Commercial vehicles are not allowed in the campground. Washing vehicles, dishes, pots, hair, or bathing at outdoor water faucets and/or at the restrooms is prohibited. Panhandling or soliciting in the campground is prohibited. Feeding stray animals and wildlife is prohibited. Pinon picking is NOT ALLOWED in campground/park boundaries.

One of the 31 sites at the Sunset View Campground. Charcoal grills are available at each site. WOOD FIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN PARK. NPS Photo Sunset View Campground This RV and tent campground with paved roads near the visitor center.

This campground accommodates RVs up to 28 feet. No hookups or dump stations. Open: All Year

One of the 14 sites at Canyon View Campground. NPS Photo Canyon View Campground This primitive tent campground is a tenth of a mile from the visitor center on an unpaved road.

Group Sites (up to 15 tents): 3 NOTICE: Due to the narrow, unpaved gravel road and low hanging branches, large RVs (over 28 feet) ARE NOT ALLOWED at this campground.

A composting toilet facility at the Canyon View Campground. NPS Photo Composting toilets are available. NO WATER! Water is available at Sunset View campground. Charcoal grills, picnic tables, and parking spaces are available at each site. Quiet Hours are from 10pm to 6am. Pets must be on a leash. Due to the dry season, open campfires and any other wood fire use (including use in on-site grills) are not allowed in the park. Propane and gas stoves are permitted unless prohibited by Navajo Nation Fire Restrictions. Fire restrictions may be in effect across the Navajo Nation during the dry summer months. Inquire at the Visitor Center for current information.