Overview
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.
1 sights · 2 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kayenta
Navajo Code Talkers exhibit
Pictures, articles and military equipment tell the story of how the Navajo code talkers enabled the U.S. military to securely transmit information during World War II. The main museum is located behind the Burger King in…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Sep. (climate data from nearby Monument Valley)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PGA Page Municipal Airport, Page — 67 mi away. Directions
- CEZ Cortez Municipal Airport, Cortez — 98 mi away. Directions
- ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque — 235 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
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 Blue Coffee Pot Restaurant. 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.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
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
<mapframe latitude="36.72778" longitude="-110.25444" zoom="12" width="400" height="300" align="right" /> 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.
See
See Navajo Code Talkers exhibit
Pictures, articles and military equipment tell the story of how the Navajo code talkers enabled the U.S. military to securely transmit information during World War II. The main museum is located behind the Burger King in a separate building while the restaurant has a few display cases of Japanese and US World War II artifacts.
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 Blue Coffee Pot Restaurant. 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.
Eat Navajo Taco Stand near code talker Burger King
Eat Amigo Cafe
Mexican, Native American, and American food as well as many fruit-flavored sodas and an espresso bar.
Sleep
Go next
The nearest places with significant population (Mexican Water, Mexican Hat, Shonto) are each about 40 mi away along either U.S. Route 160 or U.S. Route 163. Monument Valley is 22 mi away along U.S. Route 163. Navajo National Monument is 30 mi.
- North – on US 163:
- Monument Valley – 22 mi.
- Mexican Hat, Utah – 40 mi.
- East – on US 160:
- Mexican Water, Arizona – 40 mi.
- Four Corners – 80 mi.
- Southwest – on US 160:
- Navajo National Monument – 30 mi -- southwest on US 160, then north on AZ 564.
- Shonto, Arizona – 40 mi -- southwest on US 160, then north on AZ 98, then northeast on paved route following signs to Shonto.
- Tuba City, Arizona – 75 mi.
Nearby
Monument Valley
Park · 57 listings · 20 mi away
Goosenecks State Park
Park · 36 mi away
Mexican Hat
City / town · 8 listings · 36 mi away
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Park · 4 listings · 57 mi away
Natural Bridges National Monument
Park · 6 listings · 62 mi away
Page
City / town · 22 listings · 68 mi away
Tuba City
City / town · 8 listings · 69 mi away
Four Corners
Park · 2 listings · 69 mi away
My experience
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