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Flagstaff is a perfect base for exploring the Native American cultures of Arizona - both ancient and present day. A great way to begin is with a visit to the Museum of Northern Arizona. MNA is the repository for arts and artifacts of the various tribes of the Colorado Plateau. With five permanent exhibits and three changing galleries, you'll find something new with each visit. If you are limited on time, we suggest visiting the museum's award willing exhibit "Native Peoples of the Colorado Plateau" which documents 12,000 years of occupation in this region.
Plan a full day to explore three very different Native American experiences. First, visit Walnut Canyon National Monument. The curved canyon walls and geologic formations in the area created a perfect foundation for cliff dwelling homes. Stop at the visitor center and take a walk along interpretive trails to learn about the inhabitants of Walnut Canyon and enjoy the views.
Next, take the loop road off of Highway 89 to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument. Arizona's last volcanic eruption took place in approximately 1066 at Sunset Crater and must have been a frightful experience for Native Americans who inhabited the area. Stop at the visitor center to learn more about the amazing lava flows and nearby volcanic features. Continue on the loop to Wupatki, a collection of pueblo style ruins that are in stark contrast to the cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon. Be sure to take the self-guided walk from Wupatki Visitor Center (approximately one-half mile) to several pueblos, an ancient ball court and a blowhole geologic feature. Other outlying ruins are located nearby and accessible via short walks.
Upon leaving the Wapatki loop road, continue north on Highway 89 to the Navajo Indian Reservation and visit historic Cameron Trading Post. The trading post is situated above the Little Colorado River gorge and still serves as a source of supply for local Navajos and visitors. The gift shop has an almost overwhelming collection of souvenirs and artwork from a variety of Southwestern tribes. Be sure to savor a Navajo taco in the beautiful dining room before making your way back to Flagstaff.
Here's an insider tip: If you have extra time, drive a few miles toward the tiny berg of Tuba City. Just before you get there, look for signs inviting you to explore dinosaur tracks. Yes, they're real and local residents are on hand to tell you all about these mighty beasts that once inhabited the area.
Sinagua/Anasazi Ruins
In and around Sedona, there are several sites bearing witness to a thousand-year old pueblo culture which settled throughout the Southwest. You may opt to take a guided tour, or you can venture out by yourself. At ruin sites like Palatki (managed by the National Forest Service) and Honanki, just a few miles down a dirt road outside of town, you can explore the adobe brick ruins of these people and marvel at extensive pictographs and petroglyphs in which they recorded their history. At Montezuma Castle or Tuzigoot (both managed by the National Park Service), both about a half-hour drive from Sedona, you can gaze upon virtual cities where these people dwelled. You will also be able to see the remainders of their orchards and fields, and possibly stumble across ancient pottery sherds – marvel at them, but please leave them where you found them.
 Hopi Culture
The Hopi Indian reservation lies about a three-hour-drive to the northeast of Sedona. These people consider themselves the descendants of the Sinagua people and still practice their methods of so-called dry farming, using only the rain waters from summer monsoon storms for irrigation of their crops. Old Oraibi and Walpi are among the oldest continuously inhabited villages in the United States, and the Hopi are widely renowned artists, silversmiths, pottery makers and carvers. The Hopi, also called the Peaceful People for their determination to refrain from battle, hold their ancient traditions very dear and put much emphasis on the laws and stories passed down by the elders. Visitors have a choice of taking a guided tour from Sedona, a guided tour on the Hopi mesas or visit Hopi land on their own accord.
For information click here Hopi Lands and Culture Tour
 Monument Valley
This vast valley of imposing red rock monoliths and pinnacles along the Arizona-Utah border ranks among the classic icons of the American southwest. This is the enchanted land of the Navajo people, a landscape alien and lonely, yet full of majestic serenity. Its towering buttes reach skyward 400 to 1000 feet (120 to 300 meters); they are the remnants of ancient rock mountains, weathered down by nature´s forces.
Monument Valley is part of Dinétah, the land of the Navajo, who call themselves Diné. They call this place Tsé Bii' Ndzisgaii, valley of the rocks. They have resided here for a thousand years, and their culture is one of incorporation – they learned from the pueblo people and are renowned for their basketry and weavings. Many still live in their traditional houses, the hogans. In Monument Valley, narrated tours with Navajo guides are available by jeep and on horseback. You can also take a guided full-day tour to Monument Valley from Sedona.
When visiting these sites and villages, please remember to be respectful of the people and their ways. Disrespect has led to the Hopi not allowing photography anymore. These are meant to be experiences of education and exchange, not of intrusion.
For Monument Valley tour information click here Monument Valley Tour
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