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Navajo Nation

azrving
Explorer
Explorer
Last year we went from Denver to Moab and then to St George and south to Big River/Parker. This year we may be in Moab again so I'm wondering how people feel about going south through the reservation. I did search a little and noticed that no alcohol is allowed and it seemed that concealed carry and guns are ok if you dont leave the federal highway.

I did notice on here a while back about rv's being pelted with rocks in one of the Canadian reservations but didn't run across anything like that in the USA. I know someone in Colorado who wont go that way to Phoenix because of having a vehicle break down and stripped long ago but that's just one person long ago. Seems like a lot of people would be doing it but what can you tell me about it. Thanks
22 REPLIES 22

ppine
Explorer II
Explorer II
I had a contract on the Res for 6 years and made 2 annual trips. The Navajo Nation is huge and intact. They have their own government, language, radio stations, and grocery stores. The Navajo are easy going if a little shy as a people. Show respect in everything you do and you will have not problems. Avoid eye contact at first and loud talking.

TundraTower
Explorer
Explorer
We made the trip thru Monument Valley in 2014, by far our most ambitious TT trip. 4,700 miles and 3.5 weeks.

I researched which states along the way would honor my state concealed carry permit and which states would require other arrangements. However, I found absolutely no credible information on the rules on the Navajo reservation. Remember, they are a soverign nation and the federal rules do not apply.

In a fit of desperation and due diligence, I e-mailed the Utah Highway Patrol with my question and identifying information. Much to my surprise, an officer called my house the next morning.

He was very friendly and understood the problem well. He had worked in the southern area of Utah for 10 years and had tried many times to find their weapons rules without success. His advice was to keep it in a lockbox while on the reservation, and then when we moved out of the reservation we would be fine because he said Utah honors my state permit.

My point here is that it is NOT a dumb question. You'd better know what the rules are where, because every state is different. A unique example is NC where we love to camp - they honor my state permit, but their law requires you to proactively notify an officer that you are armed UPON FIRST CONTACT (you don't wait until he asks). I'll bet very few people know that.

Monument Valley was by far the highlight of our 3.5 week trip. We hired a Navajo guide for the tour thru the valley and he was very nice. We were fascinated by their way of life today and were able to discuss that with him. We were trying so hard to be polite and respectful that he finally started kidding us about it.

My only caution is to watch your fuel gauge. I've never been anywhere else where fueling opportunities were so scarce. We pulled our trailer up scenic highway 95 from Blanding to Hanksville and it was 144 miles between service stations and we didn't see 5 cars in that stretch. I had done my homework and knew about this, and we even went 5 miles out of our way to Blanding to fuel up before starting that trek (pulling with a gas pick-up). But the drive was gorgeous!

Tourism seems to be the only industry in that area and, while most of the scenic pull-offs have someone sitting there selling something, we never felt threatened. If you were interested you approached them, if you weren't interested they never tried to be pushy.

Don't miss this place! Just be sure you have everything you need before you get there.
2013 Tundra, 5.7FF, TRD, 4WD, tow pkg
2014 Forest River Cherokee 264
Prodigy II / Equalizer 10K
103 nights & 12,700 miles since April '13

dave54
Nomad
Nomad
I too enjoy the Navajo and Hopi country. The local radio station broadcasts in the Navajo language, and many of the business and highway signs are in two or three languages.

x2 on taking ANYONE's photo without permission. I do not care how cute the little girl looks in native dress -- get permission! Many of the tribal members still follow the native beliefs and religion, and taking someone's photo is stealing their soul. Very bad. Also watch what logos or sayings are on the t-shirt or hat you are wearing. That stylized corporate logo may be embarassingly similar to a bad luck or evil icon in the native beliefs. Best to stick plain unmarked clothing.

When touring the ruins be very respectful. Their ancestor's spirits still live there. And the ceremonial kivas are very interesting, but they are places of worship and respect them as you expect visitors to your church to act.
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So many campsites, so little time...
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trailertraveler
Explorer
Explorer
rjxj wrote:
...I'll keep researching and see how it goes... We primarily boondock so camping and orv trails are another research issue...
We have spent a considerable amount of time in and around the tribal lands of Arizona and New Mexico and truly enjoyed our time there.

Unless you are a Tribal Member, you will likely need a permit for recreational activities if you are permitted access at all to areas outside of developments or areas specifically open to the general public. I can recall signs on BIA-13 between Chinle and Shiprock advising that access to the tribal lands away from the few scenic vista parking areas was prohibited without a permit. Same thing in Salt River Canyon in Arizona. At Canyon De Chelly and Monument Valley you need a guide to access some areas. We have visited areas where only tribal members may access/enter certain streets. If you visit some of the historic pueblos, you may not be allowed to take pictures or may have to purchase a photo permit. In my experience, it is always a good idea to ask before taking a picture of Tribal members. When driving be on the lookout for cattle. horses, dogs and children; they are all free range.
Safe travels!
Trailertraveler

darsben1
Explorer
Explorer
rjxj wrote:
Thanks for all the replies and links. I just started snowbirding a few years ago so I'm a beginner. I looked at the area on Google last year and considered going down that way but my wife wanted to see St George. Since then I ran into the guy who had a negative experience and I believe I read it on here about MH being pelted with rocks on a res somewhere.

I'm not basing it all on those two things so that's why the question was asked on here. Like our cities or Mexico or Canada, there are areas that you dont want to go so I figured that could also be the case on the res. It's not uncommon to go to areas where you are safer because the man isn't going to let the tourist or entertainment dollars be lost.

I'll keep researching and see how it goes. Busskipper, the first photo is stunning and needs my rv and dirt bikes out there if dirt biking is allowed. We primarily boondock so camping and orv trails are another research issue. Again, thank you all for your help and any more help is appreciated.


Most likely you will need a permit from the tribal Government to do ORV and boondocking. On the checkerboard and in other ares that can be problematic as the tribal boundaries change quickly
Traveling with my best friend, my wife in a 1990 Southwind

azrving
Explorer
Explorer
bdpreece wrote:
I would be much more concerned about problems with the natives in Chicago, New York,Philadelphia,New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle,etc etc.



Come on now, you should have Detroit high on that list 🙂

azrving
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all the replies and links. I just started snowbirding a few years ago so I'm a beginner. I looked at the area on Google last year and considered going down that way but my wife wanted to see St George. Since then I ran into the guy who had a negative experience and I believe I read it on here about MH being pelted with rocks on a res somewhere.

I'm not basing it all on those two things so that's why the question was asked on here. Like our cities or Mexico or Canada, there are areas that you dont want to go so I figured that could also be the case on the res. It's not uncommon to go to areas where you are safer because the man isn't going to let the tourist or entertainment dollars be lost.

I'll keep researching and see how it goes. Busskipper, the first photo is stunning and needs my rv and dirt bikes out there if dirt biking is allowed. We primarily boondock so camping and orv trails are another research issue. Again, thank you all for your help and any more help is appreciated.

bdpreece
Explorer II
Explorer II
I would be much more concerned about problems with the natives in Chicago, New York,Philadelphia,New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle,etc etc.
Brian, Loretta & Daisy (Golden Retriever)

2008 Holiday Rambler Endeavor PDQ40
2014 Ford Explorer toad

TexasShadow
Explorer II
Explorer II
We've driven through the rez north to south and east west, but not kitty corner yet. No problems. We stopped at a big grocery store and did a bit of milk and bread shopping. no problems. some loafers hanging around, but no actual panhandlers. Most indians are nice people. Same as anywhere.
TexasShadow
Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE/ 3126B Cat
Sometimes BMW K75 on Rear Carrier
Jeep Grand Cherokee or 2016 Ford XLT 4x4 super cab with 8 ft bed
M&G aux brake system
854 Watts of Solar Power



Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

ken56
Explorer
Explorer
We drove thru there on our way to the Grand Canyon. It is stunningly beautiful country. All I could think of was how desolate and unforgiving the land was. We only stopped at a few roadside stands on our trip but found people to be very welcoming and open to telling us about their culture. The hand made items were beautifully crafted and priced accordingly.....they don't give it away. We were told that alcoholism and addiction is rampant and therefore if you present a target of opportunity to some you could be victimized, not unlike anywhere else in this country, no more no less. I would not hesitate to go back. As far as firearms is concerned, as long as it stays in your vehicle you are fine. Handgunlaw.us and go to the tribal lands part.

lbrjet
Explorer
Explorer
Huge swaths of Arizona are Indian reservations. Don't think twice about about traveling anywhere. Just follow the traffic laws like you should anywhere else.
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equalizer E4 1200/12000

ljr
Nomad
Nomad
Different tribe but I spend a couple months each winter on Creek tribal land Great folks. One of the tribal council even took a group of RVers to lunch and gave us a tour.
Larry

tatest
Explorer II
Explorer II
I don't understand why there is a question. It is a beautiful place, although somewhat empty, as it should be. Fill up on fuel before entering, if low, as services are few and far between, more so than other parts of southern Utah.

I guess I'm accustomed to the idea, living the past 35 years in the Cherokee Nation, at the edge of the Osage Nation.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B