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Recreation Region: North Kaibab Ranger District

Navajo Trail #19

The Navajo Trail is an old Indian and sheepherding trail. In 1871, John D. Lee traversed the Buckskin Mountain (Kaibab Plateau) by way of a "well-used" horse path; he is believed to be the first Anglo to use what is now called the Navajo Trail.

The 13-mile portion of the trail on the Kaibab National Forest traverses the scenic pinyon and juniper forests of House Rock Valley and the oak and pine of the Kaibab Plateau. It overlooks the Paria Plateau and its unique wind-and-water sculpted red rock formations.

This is a connecting trailhead with the Kaibab Plateau Trail (part of the Arizona Trail). The Navajo Trail continues west from Joe's Reservoir, across the plateau to the Forest boundary.

Current Conditions
Temporarily Closed

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

19

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

None.

None. Bring everything that you will need.

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

East - House Rock Valley Road (BLM Road 1065) 6.4 miles north from US Highway 89A.

Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT)/Forest Road 248 intersections - Forest Road 248 approximately 9.9 miles north of US Highway 89A.

Directions

From Jacob Lake to east trailhead (approximately 20.3 miles):

  • Follow US Highway 89A east out of Jacob Lake for approximately 13.7 miles,
  • Turn left onto House Rock Valley Road (BLM Road 1065) and follow for approximately 6.4 miles to trailhead.

From Jacob Lake to Arizona National Scenic Trail/Forest Road 248 intersections (approximately 12.3 miles):

  • Follow US Highway 89A east out of Jacob Lake for approximately 2.4 miles,
  • Turn left onto Forest Road 247 and follow for approximately 9.8 miles,
  • Continue straight onto Forest Road 248 for approximately 0.1 mile - 

Recreation Opportunities

Recreation Groups

A trail passes through a meadow bordered in evergreen trees beneath a blue sky with puffy white clouds.

The Arizona Trail stretches 800 miles across the entire length of the state connecting deserts, mountains, forests, canyons, wilderness, history, communities and people.

Last updated July 25th, 2025