Hiking in Indian Country/ Navajo Nation

[Navajo]

It is illegal to hike to Three Turkey Ruin or any other archaeological Ruin on the Navajo Nation with out a permit. A visitaion permit must be issued by the Historic Preservation department. If you are caught you will be fined.

[Tough_Boots]

Yup... you'll find that most people on this site are pretty respectful when it comes to these things. The hike descriptions should have all the necessary permit info.

[hikeaz]

It may be helpful to readers to include the telephone number and contact name at the Historic Preservation Office, as well as any other helpful hints on how to go about securing one of these permits.

[Jim]

I don't think this person is going to check back to respond. It looks like they are some one from the tribe who is just bull-horning threats because they must have some sort of a vandalism, trespass, or other issue with people illegally visiting the ruins they mention. The only problem for them is, the people likely to find this fairly abstractly titled post and actually read it are not the same that would need to heed the warning because they were doing what they wanted on tribal land in the first place, and as such it will not have the intended affect.

[Al_HikesAZ]

Ya'at'eeh Shik'ei
Ahééhee'
You will find that most of us here are respectful of Diné bikéyah and honor your laws and rules.

Kurt - the Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department http://www.hpd.navajo.org/index.php?opt ... e&Itemid=1

Before you contact HPD, please review all available pages on this site to see if what you need is here. You can also look for additional information on our HPD program list page.

can be reached
Historic Preservation Department
P.O. Box 4950
Window Rock, Arizona 86515
General Information: (928) 871-7198
Fax Number: (928) 871-7886

That is for visiting special places.
To HIKE ON THE NAVAJO NATION you need to contact the Navajo Parks & Recreation Department http://www.navajonationparks.org/permits.htm for hiking and camping permits.

[PaleoRob]

My understanding is that a special entry permit is not required by the HP, but a Backcountry Permit. I'm no expert on tribal laws but every time I've gotten a permit for places like Chinle Wash (which is known for its ruins), all I ever needed was a backcountry permit. The only information pertaining to ancient sites from the Navajo Parks and Recreation website (and the same information on the permit itself) is:

Do not disturb or remove animals, plants, rocks or artifacts. Tribal Antiquity and federal laws are in effect. Special permits are required from the Navajo Minerals Department and Natural Heritage Program to collect rocks or plants.

From: http://www.navajonationparks.org/permits.htm

Most (if not all) hikes listed on the site here for the Navajo Nation show the information for the required backcountry permit.

[Tough_Boots]

I don't think this person is going to check back to respond.

I kinda had the same thought...

[PaleoRob]

Reviewing the HPD site, it says that it will and can issue a Class A visitation permit for free, even for NN fee lands. Hey, I know where there are some petroglyphs in Canyon X - can I get in there for free now, if I get this permit? Does this mean that I don't need to pay my $5/day when hiking Chinle Wash now? It is free!?! This would be awesome news!