Destination: Navajo Nation

DESTINATION: WESTERN AGENCY OF THE NAVAJO NATION

BY KRYSTA PAFFRATH

The Cowboy Lifestyle Network Maps out a Five Stop Strategy to Experience the Beauty of Navajo Nation

Now is the perfect time to start planning your summer and spring road trips.

Cowboy Lifestyle Network is proud to be partnering with the Navajo Nation to help promote its culture and hidden gems on the reservation.

Today, we are thrilled to take a trip through the Western Agency of the Navajo Nation. Agencies on the reservation act much like counties do. Keep reading to map out the “must-see spots” to add to your road trip list.

The first thing you should know about the Western Agency is that it is the largest Navajo Nation Agency (5,579,499.49 acres) out of the five (Western Agency, Chinle Agency, Fort Defiance Agency, Eastern Agency, and the Shiprock Agency). Inside of the Western Agency, there are 18 Chapters and 5 Districts. With it being the largest Agency, there are TONS to see, so let’s jump in.

Twin Arrows Casino Resort

Listen, you are going to need a home base for this road trip, so why not start your journey at one of the best casino resorts in the state? Not to mention, it’s closer to all of your road trip destinations than it would be traveling from the valley Twin Arrows is Northern Arizona’s premier casino resort destination. It is nestled within a picturesque view of the majestic San Francisco Peaks just east of Flagstaff, Twin Arrows is the centerpiece of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise’s properties. You can stay here knowing that both art and architecture have been combined to embody and showcase the rich history of the Navajo people while providing an unparalleled casino resort experience. The resort is known for its highprofile amenities, including luxury guest rooms, gourmet dining, culturally infused casual dining, a fitness center, a heated indoor pool, and more than 11,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space. You can’t beat staying at the Twin Arrows Casino Resort.

Little Colorado River Tribal Park

The Grand Canyon is a beautiful place to visit, but to see exceptional beauty, you should head to the beginning of the Grand Canyon at the Little Colorado River Tribal Park, which is only a short 7 miles from the start of the Grand Canyon. The Little Colorado River Gorge is considered the gateway to the historic Grand Canyon, the LCR has two viewpoints that are within walking distance from the parking lot for your viewing pleasure. There are plenty of ramadas and park benches for your enjoyment. The rugged terrain and rigged rocks are what the area has to offer for the avid hiker. Please note that you must attain a Backcountry Permit before hiking. For more information, you can visit the Navajo Park and Recreation Visitor Center located at the entrance into the canyon. Hwy 89 and 64. It’s located about 10 miles from the Navajo Parks and Recreation Visitor Center.

Horseshoe Bend

Everyone should know the iconic Horseshoe Bend, but what about getting a tour of it? When you are mapping out your time allocation, make sure to give yourself an ample amount of time to explore everything this beauty has to offer. With so many options for hiking, flying, or floating, there truly is something for everyone. If you choose to do a flying tour, that would be the best way to see as much as you can in a short period of time, but if you’re down to get adventurous, we highly recommend hiking or booking a guided raft tour. There is no wrong way to get outside and start exploring, below is one of the tour companies that take care of the details for you!

FUN FACTS: • Horseshoe bend resides 1,000 feet above the river’s surface which is equivalent to a 99-story building. • The formation was created over the course of a billion years and was caused by the continual flow of water through the canyon walls.

Antelope Canyon

This might be the most picturesque stop of your whole trip, although it may also take the most planning. All visitors are required to book a tour to view the sculptured slot canyons. Not to worry though, there are several authorized tour guides in the area that are happy to impart their knowledge about the area’s history and geology. The canyons have been shaped by several million years of water and wind erosion, and the result? The magnificent canyon was named for the herds of pronghorn antelope that once roamed the area. The most popular tour is the Upper Antelope Canyon because more sunlight enters the canyon and the walls reach up to 120 feet. The Lower Antelope Canyon tour is equally impressive, immersing visitors in the swirling embrace of sandstone walls.

Monument Valley

End your Western Agency Road Trip with the majestic views of Monument Valley. Enriched with beautiful culture and natural rock formations. This is a perfect place to end your trip and if you’re looking for a full guide on Monument Valley, make sure to check a previous article we did highlighting the must-see attractions. As always, we encourage everyone to be a good steward of the land, pack in what you pack out, and always be respectful of local culture.