Canyons & Monuments Adventure
There's more to Arizona's wonders than the Grand Canyon (but you won't want to miss that, either). Here are some of our favorite places to stop throughout Northern Arizona.
Established in 1876, the Hubbell Trading Post, a National Historic Site, is a mercantile that seamlessly weaves together past, present, and future.
You’ll notice the bleached cow skull over the doorway and the wagon wheels leaning against the simple stone and adobe building as you enter. Inside, the light is dim and the wooden floor is squeaky. Generations of Navajos – and interested visitors – have made a pilgrimage to Ganado to visit this place.
John Lorenzo Hubbell was a lifeline for Navajos who survived forced exile to New Mexico and the arduous return called the “Long Walk” of 1864. It was in this Ganado outpost that tribe members socialized and purchased groceries and dry goods. The trading post still sells those items, but it also houses an important museum collection of artifacts, including concho belts, paintings, and sculpture. There is also a bookstore with volumes for children and adults.
This is a living museum. In the summer, rangers lead tours of the original Hubbell Home; the picturesque grounds are a wonderful place for a picnic. Special exhibits and events include twice-a-year art auctions and the annual sheep, wool, and weaving workshop, where you can meet Navajo Churro sheep and learn how to dye, spin, and weave. In early December, 100 luminarias – brown paper bags filled with sand and a votive candle – illuminate the grounds, a Hispanic Christmas tradition.
PO Box 663 | Window Rock, AZ | (928) 871-6000 | www.discovernavajo.com
County | It all started | How High? | Head Count |
---|---|---|---|
Apache | 1876 | 6,384ft | 1,210 |
There's more to Arizona's wonders than the Grand Canyon (but you won't want to miss that, either). Here are some of our favorite places to stop throughout Northern Arizona.
Get firsthand knowledge of Arizona’s tribal lands with an American Indian guide.
Find authentic wares – from rugs and pottery to baskets and more – plus meet local artists on American Indian tribal land.