Page 529 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

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Ancestral Puebloan ruins of Betatakin at the Navajo National Monument
12th century, it was built to c Tuba City Tsegi Canyon. An easy, 1-mile
be easily defended against * 8,900. n Tuba City Trading Post, (1.6-km) trail from the visitor
possible Spanish or Navajo (928) 283-5441. Open daily. center leads to an overlook,
attacks. It straddles a dramatic Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec 25. which provides a captivating
knife-edge of rock, extending view of Betatakin. For a closer
from the tip of the First Mesa. Named for Tuuvi, a Hopi Indian look at these ancient houses,
In places, Walpi is less than who converted to the Mormon visitors can take the strenuous
100 ft (33m) wide with a drop of faith, Tuba City is best known for five-hour hiking tours held
several hundred feet on both the 65-million-year-old dinosaur daily from late May to
sides. The tour includes several tracks found just off the main early September.
stops where visitors can highway, 5 miles (8 km) south- A more demanding 17-mile
purchase kachina west of the town. This is also (27-km) hike leads to Keet Seel,
dolls, hand-crafted the largest community in the a more impressive ruin. Only a
pottery, rugs, and western section of the Navajo limited number of permits to
baskets, or sample Reservation and is a good spot visit the ruin are issued each
the Hopi piki bread. from which to explore both the day. This hike requires overnight
A wider range of Navajo National Monument and camping at a campsite with
Hopi arts and crafts the Hopi Reservation. the most basic facilities. Keet
are available in the Seel was a larger and more
galleries and stores success ful community than
of the Second Mesa. v Grand Canyon Betatakin. Construction began
The Hopi Cultural See pp530–33. here in about 1250, but the
Center here has a site is thought to have been
restaurant and the abandoned by 1300.
Kachina doll only hotel for miles b Navajo National
around, as well as a
museum that has an excellent Monument
collection of photographs depic- Tel (928) 672-2700. Open 9am–5pm
ting various aspects of Hopi life. daily (extended summer hours).
On the Third Mesa, Old Oraibi Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec 25.
pueblo, thought to have been 8 free.  ∑ nps.gov/nava
founded in the 12th century, is
fascinating because of claims Although named because of
that it is the oldest continually its location on the Navajo
occupied human settlement in Reservation, this monument is
North America. actually known for its Ancestral
Puebloan ruins. The most
P Walpi accessible ruin here is the
n (928) 737-2670. & beautifully preserved, 135-room
Walking Tours: 9:30am–3pm daily. pueblo of Betatakin, which fills a The Keet Seel ruins at the Navajo
∑ experiencehopi.com vast, curved niche in the cliffs of National Monument

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