Johnny Depp, Charlize Thereon, Armie Hammer, John Wayne and even Dr. Who have all visited a sovereign nation, located within the boundaries of the United States—the Navajo Nation. For those members of the jet-set looking for a southwestern adventure unlike any other, perhaps it’s time to go Navajo!
The capitol of the Navajo Nation is located in Window Rock, Arizona; a small city near the Four Corners of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. The best place to get your bearings would be the Navajo Nation Museuem. Check out their Facebook page.
A short drive from the museum will take you to the Window Rock itself. (http://www.navajonationparks.org/htm/veterans.htm.) The Navajo themselves call the place tségháhoodzání , and it must be seen to be believed. There is also a monument to the Navajo Code Talkers whose “code” helped defeat the Axis in World War II as popularized in the Nicholas Cage film Wind Talkers.
The tribal government is located at the base of the Window Rock itself, one of the most scenic places on earth. It would be the equivalent of putting the US Capitol at the base of the Grand Canyon. There are several lodging choices in Window Rock, but be sure to book ahead. While dining in the Navajo Nation, make sure you try mutton, especially in the stew.
For travelers looking for indoor fun in the Navajo Nation, there are two Navajo casinos along Interstate 40. Fire Rock Casino near Gallup, http://www.firerocknavajocasino.com/?gclid=CPuxvYaR7sECFaE-MgodKhQAWw and the larger Twin Arrows near Flagstaff. http://www.twinarrows.com/hotel?gclid=COPUr5aR7sECFUQLMgodBS4AlQ which has several lodging choices.
The highlight of any trip to the Navajo Nation is Monument Valley. While the name might not be familiar, you’ve seen Monument Valley in The Searchers, Stagecoach, Forrest Gump, Vacation, the remake of The Lone Ranger and a million car commercials. It is one of the most photographed places on earth, and you will quickly see why before you even enter the park. “Left Mitten” is visible from the road, but still it is well worth taking a jeep tour of the park for the picture taking experience of a lifetime.
There are great accommodations at The View Hotel, but book well in advance. One can also find lodging in nearby Kayenta, Arizona with several national hotel chains.
One overlooked location is Canyon de Chelly, which is technically a US National Park, but still under joint Navajo jurisdiction. The Canyon has several historic sites amidst the staggering natural beauty. It is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon without the grand throngs of tourists. There is lodging within the park at Sacred Canyon Lodge and also in nearby Chinle, Arizona.
Perhaps the most awe-inspiring spot in the Navajo Nation is one that you might not actually get to visit up close and personal. Shiprock or Tse Bitai, is a rock formation nearly as tall as the new World Trade Center in New York. You WILL see it traveling north from Gallup or west from Farmington. Hiking, climbing and camping is NOT permitted without express permission of the tribe. One of the biggest surprises of the trip was the Bamboo Chinese restaurant in the town of Shiprock itself. That’s right, there is great Chinese food in Shiprock.
The Navajo Nation is in the Four Corners area, so it is within a day’s drive of the big cities of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Once you make that drive, you will know that you’ve crossed the border to a sovereign nation that will gladly make you forget that you are in the United States.