blancalita

We will be spending six days in zion/GC/bryce in August and would like to spend at 4-5 more exploring Navajo country before heading back to LV. What are your favorite spots and do you have recommendations for lodging ( 4 adults, 2 teens)

GloriaE

It's been several years now, but we really enjoyed Canyon De Chelly on the Navajo reservation. We stayed at the lodge there and it was nice, but like I said it has been a few years.

utahtea

Canyon de Chelly National Monument in AZ and Monument Valley Tribal Park on the Utah-AZ border. Both would be great places to explore. To get into the canyon at Canyon de Chelly you have to go in with a Navajo Guide. I really recommend taking either the half day or all day guided tour from the Thunderbird Lodge. Very educational and very scenic! You can drive your own vehicle in Monument Valley but you are restricted to certain areas, so you might want to take a guided tour there too.

Also worth exlporing in the area are Hoveenweep National Monument and Navajo National Monument. Both have Indian ruins.

You also pass by Lake Powell. You might consider taking a float trip on the Colorado River from Page, AZ. This is a really neat experience and I bet your teens would love it! Or a boat tour on the lake.

Hwy 264 from Tuba City to Second Mesa, Keams Canyon and Ganado, AZ will give you a scenic drive and takes you thought the heart of the Indian Reservation. Then take Hwy 191 up to Canyon de Chelly.

Utahtea

seniormsuedu

you might want to read some tony hillerman books. he blends the navajo way into great mysteries. they all take place on the navajo reservation and describe the scenery and people. i would recommend the all-day tour in canyon de chelly.

easytraveler

Another vote for the Canyon de Chelly. Really awesome, especially at the deep end of the canyon.

If you feel up to it, hike from the canyon rim down to the canyon floor. We did that to see the "White House" and it is still a hike that sticks in my memory.

Or, for a much easier walk, try Montezuma's Castle.

Wonderful country! Have fun!

maryann

I liked stopping at the trading posts-historic places and you can meet the neighbors.

We stayed in the Hampton Inn Kayenta-the day we went to MV. Next door is the Burger King with the WW11 codetalker exhibit. Very interesting, had to see it 2x to see it all, next to the BK is Basha's Grocery if you need goodies for the car.

Bear in mind that the Navajos live in some pretty inhospitible land between the points of interest just mentioned. It is not all beautiful-but reading Tony Hillerman, you understand their love for their land. (and I kept looking for Chee and Leaphorn!!).

travellyn

Since others are recommending the Hillerman books, I'll also recommend that you pick up an Indian Country road map. This is the map that Hillerman's Joe Leaphorn has up on the wall of his office, with little pushpins of various colors representing different crimes/phenomena around the Navajo reservation. The map covers the Four Corners area, and is available from AAA and a lot of convenience stores near where you are traveling. I like using the map because I don't have to flip it over or change to another map to see a route from Utah to Arizona, for example. I also plan to pull it out the next time I read the Hillerman books.