Hotels in Kayenta: Navajo Culture and Monument Valley

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Kayenta offers two clear starting points for planning your trip: Navajo culture in town and access to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Kayenta is the closest town to Monument Valley, located around 30 miles to the south. If you’re looking for hotels in Kayenta, you can first decide whether cultural sites in town or a visit to Monument Valley should be the focus of your stay. Visiting the town and visiting the park offer different experiences: in Kayenta, the focus is on cultural attractions in town, while Monument Valley offers a scenic drive, a trail, and guided tours.

Cultural Attractions in Kayenta

The Kayenta Visitor Center houses a museum with exhibits on Navajo history and cultural artifacts. Demonstrations of Native American crafts are also held at the center, and dances and performances by Indigenous groups are often held in the outdoor amphitheater. This brings exhibits and cultural activities together in one place, though they appeal to different interests. If you’re interested in demonstrations or performances, check in advance whether the Visitor Center is open and what is scheduled for your visit.

There are two different places in Kayenta to learn about the Navajo Code Talkers. The Shadehouse Museum/Navajo Cultural Center features exhibits on the subject and sells Navajo crafts; a Code Talker display at the Burger King in Kayenta includes artifacts and explanatory information. The subject is therefore presented at two locations in different formats: once as part of a cultural center, and once as a display with artifacts and information. Before visiting, check whether the Shadehouse Museum is accessible; you should also confirm the current visiting arrangements for the display. The Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise also has a branch in Kayenta. If you’d like to visit, check its opening hours.

Monument Valley: Scenic Drive, Trail, and Tour

In Monument Valley, you can choose between different ways to explore. The 17-mile scenic drive offers views of the landscape and rock formations; terrain conditions can vary seasonally. The Wildcat Trail is 1.5 miles long, making it significantly shorter than the scenic drive. Guided tours can be booked through tour operators. The options differ in both distance and type of experience: a scenic drive, a shorter trail, or a guided tour. If you’re planning to take the scenic drive, factor the seasonally varying terrain conditions into your plans.

A Regular Fixture on the Weekly Schedule

The flea market at Vendor Village in Kayenta Township takes place every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If your stay includes a Wednesday, you can plan to visit the market. Check the date and hours again before you travel so your plans take the stated day of the week into account.

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

Return to the main travel overview: Navajo.

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