The best camping in Navajo National Monument, AZ

Three hidden jewels in Tsegi Canyon of northwest Arizona reveal an amazing series of cliff dwellings built by the ancient Anasazi people. These amazing stone villages helped the Native Americans in this area flourish by keeping the desert heat at bay. The cliff dwellings also protected them from animals and enemies.

The Navajo monuments were built sometime between 1250 and 1300. Today, they delight visitors with their seemingly modern construction. Wooden beams support roofs, while stacked bricks form into walls and small windows.

There are plenty of modern amenities in this park. A visitor's center and auditorium provide films and artifacts about the area. A park store has some rad souvenirs. Two on-site campgrounds let you stay for a day or two to explore the area's beauty.

Guided tours happen from May to September during the dry summer months. Going on a tour with a Ranger is the only way to view the Betatakin and Keet Seel dwellings up close and personal. A third site, Inscription House, is off-limits to visitors due to its fragile state. A trail above the canyon lets you admire the dwellings from afar thanks to viewing devices that zoom in on the stone houses.

Tsegi Canyon and the Navajo cliff dwellings exist on lands belonging to the Navajo Nation. Please be respectful and mindful of the traditions here. The facilities are open year-round even though tours only happen for five months. Crowds are generally light at all times of the year due to the remote location of the dwellings.