United States. National Park Service

“ With a better and more dependable food supply population increased, people began to be more sedentary, crafts improved, and more permanent homes were built. By A. D. 1100 large villages of several hundred people each had been developed, as well as many smaller communities.
As time passed, three cultural centers—really prehistoric tribes—had differentiated from each other: the Chaco Canyon group, in northwestern New Mexico; the Mesa Verde, in southwestern Colorado; and the Kayenta, in northeastern Arizona.
The three cliff dwellings of Navajo National Monument represent this third group. ”

“ Keet Seel is the largest cliff ruin in Arizona and one of the last to be abandoned in the Segi Canyon region. It may be reached by horse or on foot from Betatakin by an 11-mile trail, which is primitive and crosses the canyon stream many times, making the trip on foot a difficult one.
Horses may be obtained from the nearby Navajos through the superintendent of the monument. One full day is required for the round trip. ”

“ Betatakin is built on the sloping floor of a great cave, carved by stream meander and wind erosion in the side of a soft, red, sandstone cliff which forms the sheer and vertical 500-foot north wall of a picturesque and beautiful canyon. The cave roof projects far out over the village. Sand storms had piled 2 among the central rooms an accumulation in which oaks 4 inches in diameter and varied shrubbery had taken root.
A portion of Betatakin Ruin
In the canyon fronting Betatakin are tall, slender quaking aspen ”