4 Best Sights in Window Rock, Northeast Arizona

The murals on the walls of this handsome structure, built to resemble a large ceremonial hogan, depict scenes from the history of the tribe, and the bell beside the entrance was a gift to the tribe by the Santa Fe Railroad to commemorate the thousands of Navajos who built the railroad. Visitors can observe sessions of the council, where 24 delegates representing 110 reservation chapters meet on the third Monday of January, April, July, and October.

Be aware that when the council is not in session, the building is locked, but the exterior still makes for a nice stop.

Turn east off Indian Highway 12, about ½ mile north of AZ 264, to reach the Council Chambers. Nearby

is a memorial park honoring Navajo veterans, including the famous World War II code talkers.

Many rodeos are held near the center of downtown at the fairgrounds. The community hosts the annual multiday July 4 celebration with a major rodeo, ceremonial dances, and a parade. The Navajo Nation Fair, much like a traditional state fair, is held in early September. It offers standard county-fair rides, midway booths, contests, powwow competitions, and a rodeo.

Devoted to the art, culture, and history of the Navajo people, this museum also has an excellent library on the Navajo Nation. Each season brings new exhibitions by native artists; call for a list of current shows. There are also permanent exhibits on the Long Walk—during which the Navajo were tragically and temporarily relocated to Fort Sumner, New Mexico—and on the culture and philosophies of the Navajo people. In the same building is the Navajo Nation Visitor Center, a great resource for all sorts of information on reservation activities.

Amid the sandstone monoliths on the border between Arizona and New Mexico, the Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park displays about 50 species of domestic and wild animals, birds, and amphibians that figure in Navajo legends, as well as examples of plants used by traditional people. Most of the animals here were brought in as orphans or after sustaining injuries—they include black bears, mountain lions, Mexican gray wolves, bobcats, cougars, golden eagles, Gila monsters, and prairie rattlesnakes. It's the nation's only Native American–owned zoo.