Kayenta is a U.S. census-designated place which is part of the Navajo Nation and is in Navajo County, Arizona. The population was 5,189 at the 2010 census. Kayenta is located south of Monument Valley and contains a number of hotels and motels which service visitors to Monument Valley. Like other places on the Navajo Nation, it is illegal to serve alcohol. Arizona does not observe Daylight Time; however, the Navajo reservation does. Kayenta Township is the only municipal-style government on the Navajo Nation. It is regarded as a political sub-division of the Navajo Nation. It is managed by a five-member elected town board, which hires the township manager. Kayenta is the name for the Chapter, as well as the township. Kayenta Chapter encompasses land in both Utah and Arizona. Thus, the Navajo Nation's census figures for Kayenta Chapter are significantly different from those of Kayenta proper.
Geography
Kayenta is located at , at an elevation of 5,700 feet,. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of, all of it land.
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,189 people. The population density was 393.1 people per square mile with a total of 1,375 housing units. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.27% Native American, 4.56% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.08% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 2.51% from two or more races. 1.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In the CDP, the population was spread out with 38.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 11.9% from 25 to 34, 33.2% from 35 to 64, and 4.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males.
Events
The Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo is an annual multi-day event taking place from July 1–4. Various events take place daily, while the "Best of the Best" and a fireworks show take place on the fourth. The Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo has been recognized six times as the Rodeo of the Year and twice as the Outstanding Rodeo by the All Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association, making it one of the premier rodeos to attend in the Southwest.
Education
Kayenta is served by the Kayenta Unified School District. There are several schools that serve the community. Kayenta Elementary School, Kayenta Middle School, and Monument Valley High School are the public schools. Kayenta Community School, part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is a boarding school serving both day and dorm students.
A Bashas' Diné Market is located in Kayenta. Also found here are an Ace Hardware, a Video Plus movie rental store, as well as a Navajo Arts and Craft store. Kayenta does lack any kind of general merchandise store, like Wal-Mart or Target, that sells clothing and other amenities. The closest place with those is Page, Arizona.
Lodging
Kayenta has three hotels serving travelers and passers by; the Weatherill Inn, Kayenta's Monument Valley Inn, and a Hampton Inn. The latter two being on US-160.
Local facilities
Kayenta has a large recreation center dedicated to serving the local community. Just outside the Recreation Center is a skating park, as well as an outdoor park with several playgrounds for children. Kayenta also has a movie theater, the Black Mesa Twin Cinema. On the east side of the community is a paved landing strip that can handle small single engine and twin engine aircraft used for air tours and air ambulance services.
In terms of banking, there is a Wells Fargo located in Kayenta, as well as a Western Union, and an H&R Block. There is a U.S. post office in Kayenta. There is one movie rental location, a NAPA auto and truck parts store, and an Urban Trendz haircut place.
In popular culture
An abridged depiction of Kayenta is featured in the 2016 Czech video game, American Truck Simulator
