Kayenta

Kayenta is a small town near the northern border of Arizona and part of the Navajo Nation. The population was 5,189 at the 2010 census. Kayenta is 22 miles (35 km) south of Monument Valley and contains a number of hotels and motels which service visitors to Monument Valley.

Understand
Kayenta is located at an elevation of 5,700 feet (1,738 m).

Like other places within the Navajo Nation, it is illegal to serve alcohol in Kayenta. Kayenta and the rest of the Navajo Nation observes Daylight Savings Time, although the rest of Arizona does not.

Get in
Kayenta is on U.S. 163, near the junction with U.S. 160. The only practical way to get to Kayenta is by driving a car, either along U.S. Route 160 or U.S. Route 163. There is an airstrip, but it has no scheduled flights and is mainly used for medical evacuation flights. Flagsraff Pullam Airport, with scheduled commercials flights, is about a 2-1/2-hour drive away.

Get around
 The center of Kayenta is small enough to walk around. Take the usual precautions against summer heat or winter cold. There is no public transport. To go further afield, a car is required.

Do
Every Wednesday the flea market comes to Kayenta, which will give visitors a glimpse into the local Navajo culture and always has a large selection of local foods including excellent fry bread for one or two dollars.

Buy


A Bashas' grocery store is located in Kayenta. Kayenta also has a True Value, a Video Plus movie rental store, as well as Navajo art shops.

Eat
Kayenta is the home of several sit down and fast food restaurants, most of which are located at the junction between the 160 and the 163. In terms of fast food, Kayenta has a Burger King, Sonic Drive-In, Subway restaurant, and McDonald's. For casual dining there is the Golden Rice Bowl Chinese restaurant, Pizza Edge, and Shepherd's Eye Coffee. Amigo Cafe serves several typical Navajo dishes such as a large "Navajo taco" (frybread with taco-style toppings).

It is probably better to go on to Monument Valley or Mexican Hat to eat, or get a picnic at Basha's grocery. Near the Bashas' there is pizza available, as well as McDonald's and Burger King.



Go next
The nearest places with significant population (Mexican Water, Mexican Hat, Shonto) are each about away along either U.S. Route 160 or U.S. Route 163. Monument Valley is away along U.S. Route 163. Navajo National Monument is.


 * North – on US 163:
 * Monument Valley –.
 * Mexican Hat, Utah –.


 * East – on US 160:
 * Mexican Water, Arizona –.
 * Four Corners –.


 * Southwest – on US 160:
 * Navajo National Monument – -- southwest on US 160, then north on AZ 564.
 * Shonto, Arizona – -- southwest on US 160, then north on AZ 98, then northeast on paved route following signs to Shonto.
 * Tuba City, Arizona –.