Navajo: Nature, Culture and History

When planning your trip to Navajo, you can choose from a range of interests: landscapes, trails, museums, and historic sites. If you’re looking for hotels in Navajo, the places you’re most interested in visiting can be a good starting point for your plans.

Betatakin: Views and Scheduled Hikes

The Betatakin and Keet Seel units of Navajo National Monument are located in Navajo County. At Betatakin, there are two different ways to explore: a paved, one-mile round-trip trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Betatakin site. Betatakin can also be visited as part of scheduled, NPS-led hikes. The trail to the viewpoint and the guided hike are therefore different options for planning your visit. Check the scheduled dates for guided hikes before your trip.

Lakes, Natural Areas, and Trails

Show Low Lake is a 100-acre lake at an elevation of 6,500 feet. Woodland Lake Park has hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. You can choose among the trails there based on the activity you’re looking for: hiking, biking, and horseback riding are all specifically offered. This sets the park apart from a single paved trail, such as the viewpoint trail at Betatakin.

The White Mountain Nature Center is located on 10 acres of land beside the Big Springs Environmental Study Area. In the wider region around Navajo County, the area near Pinetop-Lakeside provides access to more than 180 miles of developed multi-use trails in the White Mountains Trail System. This is on a different scale from the trails at Woodland Lake Park: here, the focus is on a regional trail system, while the park offers three specific types of activities. If you’re planning your trip around outdoor activities, these different trail options can help determine your focus.

Museums and History

The Show Low Historical Society Museum has 6,000 square feet of exhibit space across 17 themed rooms. The museum also features the Silvercreek Railroad Club exhibit, “The Last Train to Maverick.” In Winslow, Standin’ On The Corner Park features a two-story mural and a life-size bronze statue.

In Snowflake, the Stinson Museum is housed in a Spanish Colonial adobe home. It showcases artifacts from Snowflake’s prehistoric, Hispanic, and Mormon pioneer past, including a loom belonging to Lucy Hannah Flake. A historic tour of Snowflake’s landmark homes includes 26 houses listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The museum and the tour have different focuses: the Stinson Museum connects historical themes with collection items, while the tour focuses on the listed homes.

Fort Apache: Grounds and Museum

The grounds of Fort Apache Landmark are open daily from 7:00 a.m. until sunset. Keep sunset in mind when planning your visit, as it marks the end of the daily opening hours. The Nohwike’ Bágowa Museum (House of Our Footprints) features permanent exhibits, historical information, and cultural interpretation; there is also a museum shop.

Before visiting the ruins, you must check in at the Nohwike’ Bágowa Museum to obtain permits and information. Plan to check in before viewing the ruins.

Discover more destinations: Holbrook, Show Low, Winslow, Heber-Overgaard, Pinetop-Lakeside, Kayenta, Snowflake, Mohave.

For the broader travel overview: Arizona.