The 14 Coolest Things to Experience on American Indian Reservations

If you ’re expect to immerse yourself in ethnical traditions that date back thousands of twelvemonth , you do n’t demand to board a airplane to Europe or Africa . The United States check some 326 Indian reservations that together cover 56 million acres of farming – roughly the size of Idaho .

chance are dear , in fact , that you ’ve already driven through a few without even realizing you ’d cut through into a sovereign entity with its own unique rules and reasons to visit . Casinos might be the most celebrated – for sure they ’re the most moneymaking – but all over the West , especially , there are great understanding to see beyond any sort of gambling .

Some reservations are more open to visitors than others . Those that do cover holidaymaker bid unnumerable ways to go through a unique culture . As in all thing , though , you father ta know where to look and , of course , to respect the fact that once you cross that border you are a guest in a different commonwealth .

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Wrestle alligators, then take an airboat tour

Miccosukee Indian Reservation , FloridaThe Miccosukee are best known in South Florida for their casino and holiday resort , but when it comes to gator grapple , they do n’t bet around . They put on alive " alligator demonstration " daily that feature article performers holding an alligator ’s jaw open with their heads . More relaxing will be see gators from the scenic airboat ride through the Everglades that drop you off in an reliable sack - elan Indian camp that has been owned by the same Miccosukee household for more than 100 old age . This may be one of the more touristed reservations in America , but all in all it ’s a more - than - desirable deviation along Florida ’s Alligator Alley .

Ski and horseback ride your way through a reservation

Fort Apache Indian Reservation , ArizonaEven if you ’ve been there , you probably had no idea Arizona ’s largest ski resort is owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe . consist of three mountains with a base of operations of 9,200 ft and showcasing some of the Southwest ’s finest skiing , Sunrise Park Resort is aces in the winter . In the summer , derive back for zilch lines , archery , scenic lift ride , and horseback tours of the reservation .

Whale-watch on a peaceful Pacific Ocean beach

Quileute Indian Reservation , WashingtonThe peaceable oceanside community of La Push , Washington has been home to the Quileute Tribe for M of years … long before the region was made famous as the positioning of theTwilightbooks . Thankfully , the vampire cheeseflower has n’t spoiled this seductive nirvana of gentle sea wave and whale watching on the beach . While here , stay put at the federation of tribes - operatedOceanside Resort . Go in the summer for the annual Quileute Days – the aboriginal salmon bake is a must .

Take a dip in stunning canyon waterfalls

Havasupai Indian Reservation , ArizonaIt’swell - document factthat Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls are two of the most stunning waterfalls you will ever lie eyes on – and , contrary to democratic assumption , these Paradise are n’t in Grand Canyon National Park . Instead , they lie in just south , within the Havasupai Indian Reservation , and are approachable only after acquiring a Trachinotus falcatus from the tribe and undertaking a straining hike ( worth it ) . While here , research the aboriginal Ithiel Town of Supai ( one of the most distant in America ) and the brilliant Havasupai Trail , as well .

Touch down on a Native American island

Annette Islands Reserve , AlaskaThe only remaining Native American reservation in Alaska , the aboriginal home of the Tsimshian mass , is a small island located off the sea-coast some 15 miles SW of Ketchikan . Its main town is the 1,500 - strong community of Metlakatla , where you’re able to coddle in such typical tourist oblation as watch traditional native social dancer in full regalia , guide historical duty tour , and browsing native artistic production . Only , you know , on an island . InAlaska .

Observe bison in their native habitat

Fort Peck Indian Reservation , MontanaYou do n’t need to call in Yellowstone to take part in the all - American experience that is watch over bison in the natural state . you’re able to also take a trip out to Northeast Montana ’s sprawling Fort Peck Indian Reservation to peep around 200 genetically pure bison roaming their historic home in the Northern Great Plains , thanks to recent relocation effort , with a great number of bison recently being channelise from Yellowstone to the reservation .

Tour opulent Catholic church missions

Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation , ArizonaA number of sensational old churches dot America ’s reservation , but the most beautiful has to be the Mission San Xavier del Bac , an opulent Spanish Catholic commission located on this reservation 10 miles south of Tucson . Really , just look at the exposure . ( honest mentions go out to St. Ignatius Mission in Montana ’s Flathead Indian Reservation and St. Stephen ’s Mission in Wyoming ’s Wind River Reservation . )

Check out a hidden desert lake

Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation , NevadaWell have intercourse to Burning Man burner because of its locating on the path from Reno to Black Rock , this hidden gem is unknown to most non - burner ( aside from the few thousand appendage of the federation of tribes whose reservation comprehend it ) . Surrounded by unusual rock candy formations and playing a central part in the history of the Paiute tribe , the beautiful spiritual site is to be enjoyed as much as it is to be respected .

Watch a Custer’s Last Stand reenactment

Crow Indian Reservation , MontanaMany reservation volunteer traditional Native American dances at annual festivals for tourists , but few parties are bigger than Crow Fair , the annual summertime prisoner of war - riot at Southern Montana ’s Crow Indian Reservation . The largest modern - day American Indian campsite in the nation proffer an all - Indian rodeo and Amerind relay knight race , with a diachronic reenactment of Custer ’s Last Stand sooner in the year .

Immerse yourself in desert murals

Navajo Nation , ArizonaPrimarily located in Arizona but also encompassing parts of Colorado , Utah , and New Mexico , the 27,000 - straight - naut mi Navajo Nation is immense – like , the size of West Virginia huge . Navigating all that space can be difficult , but the Painted Desert Project seeks to foster connection with its residents by encouraging artists to plant themselves in local communities before paint brilliantly dark-skinned murals on abandoned building and roadside bear throughout the reservation . Capturing mod - day " lifespan on the rez " in a way no museum could , thishandy maptells you where you’re able to catch ‘em all .

Take a sunset Jeep tour, then sleep in a traditional Navajo hogan

Navajo Nation , ArizonaTeepees and lather indian lodge may get all the attention , but to genuinely have an unquestionable Navajo dwelling , you ca n’t beat a night in a hogan – a little field hut - like , dome - forge dwelling made of natural materials and consecrated to the Navajo . There are several to choose from ( like those at the Navajo - ownedMonument Valley Simpson ’s Trailhandler Tours ) within the iconic Monument Valley , which also sits within Navajo Nation , by the way . The Simpson ’s tour include a sunset Jeep tour through the tribe - owned Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park plus an authentic Navajo taco dinner , campfire folktale , and aboriginal dance .

Visit a modern Cherokee city or a 1,000-year-old village

Tahlequah , OklahomaTaos , New MexicoWhile not technically on a reservation ( the land , like much of Eastern Oklahoma , is deemed an " Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area " by the Bureau of Indian Affairs ) , the township of Tahlequah is notable as the chapiter of the Cherokee Nation . With Downtown street star sign save in both English and Cherokee , the townspeople domiciliate the Cherokee National Supreme Court ( build in 1844 as the old government building in Oklahoma ) and the circa-1875 Cherokee National Prison ( both now museums ) , as well as the Cherokee Heritage Center featuring a completely retrace Cherokee village .

For a forward-looking Amerind village that dates back 1,000 years , inflict the word-painting - unadulterated , tribe - owned Taos Pueblo attached to New Mexico ’s Taos Indian Reservation . It ’s one of the onetime ceaselessly inhabited communities in the United States – to this day , it ’s home to about 150 Taos Indians .

Take a scenic drive through the Wild West

Wind River Indian Reservation , WyomingNative American Scenic Byway , South and North DakotaStunning vistas abound throughout the Indian reservations of the peachy American West . One such model ( although by no means the only ) is Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway , otherwise known as US 20 , which winds from Shoshoni to Thermopolis in central Wyoming . Passing through parts of the starkly beautiful Wind River Indian Reservation , the route abounds with opinion of bare yellow and crimson rocks countersink against plenty backdrops constellate with bighorn sheep .

Also telling is the 350 - mile Native American Scenic Byway from Chamberlain , South Dakota to Cannon Ball , North Dakota . It passes through four Lakota Native American reservations and is stocked with native memorials , monuments , and sacred sites , including home monuments to Sakakawea and Sitting Bull .

Let your freak flag fly at an EDM fest

Los Coyotes Indian Reservation , CaliforniaOK , this last one has nothing to do with Native American culture . But the fact that Southern California ’s bi - one-year Desert Hearts euphony festival takes position on native land within Los Coyotes Indian Reservation ( located about halfway between San Diego and Coachella ) makes it too irresistible to have pass without acknowledgment . With EDM DJs , live art , and all fashion of desert freak - fest bizarreness , what this sting Man - style gathering lacks in native authenticity it makes up for in plenty of other ways .

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