Located in the far north-east of Arizona, Kayenta is the only township in the United States ruled by the laws of the Navajo Nation. It lies just a stone’s throw from the border with Utah and serves as a gateway for exploring the craggy buttes and photogenic rock formations of Monument Valley.
Things to do in Kayenta
Kids will love running around in the children’s playground of Kayenta Recreation Park, which also boasts sporting fields, a picnic area and a skate park. Shoot hoops at the basketball court or test your skills on the climbing wall before relaxing in the shade pavilion. Traditionally crafted textiles, silverware and pottery are showcased at the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise.
A short drive east of Kayenta is Church Rock, an eroded volcanic plug that rises to 1,787 metres in elevation. It forms part of the Navajo Volcanic Field, which includes unusual rock formations, intrusions and flows that formed around 30 million years ago. Church Rock was originally named “Artenesales de Piedra” by the Mexican explorer Antonio Armijo, who established the Armijo Route of the Old Spanish Trail.
The road heading north from Kayenta leads to Agathla Peak, another volcanic plug considered sacred by the Navajo people. Nearby are the impressive rock formations of Spiderweb, Full Moon and Stout Arch, as well as the iconic hole-in-the-rock known as Ear of the Wind. Further north are John Ford Point and Artist’s Point, both of which offer sweeping views of Monument Valley.
Getting around Kayenta
Page Municipal Airport is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Kayenta and has regular flights to Phoenix. The larger Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is 2.5 hours away. Buses connect to Kayenta, although renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area and exploring Monument Valley.