Destination Native America is the official travel platform of the American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT), a national nonprofit. It connects travelers with authentic, tribally owned and Native-led tourism experiences, attractions, accommodations, and cultural destinations across the United States.

The American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit made up of Tribes, tribal businesses, and Native entrepreneurs who advance leadership, education, training, and technical assistance for Indigenous tourism across the United States. AIT created Destination Native America to share the Indian Country experience with travelers everywhere. Learn more on our About page.

Many Tribes and reservations warmly welcome respectful visitors and offer cultural sites, guided tours, museums, and events. Every attraction, activity, and lodging listed on Destination Native America is open to the public. Some Tribes prefer not to host tourists, or ask that visitors register at a tribal office first — when in doubt, call ahead to the tribal government office. When visiting a reservation you are a guest: respect residents' privacy and follow the Tribe's laws.

Browse by region on our Destinations page, or explore all attractions, tours, and accommodations under Experiences. Each listing includes location, contact details, and what to expect.

Yes. Some experiences can be booked online right now — see Tours you can book now. For experiences without online booking, contact the Tribe or operator directly using the details on the listing page.

It varies by site. Some museums, tours, and cultural centers charge admission or tour fees, while many events and public areas are free. Fees and hours are listed on each experience page or available by contacting the operator directly.

It depends on the region and the experience. Many powwows and outdoor experiences run spring through fall, while some destinations are memorable year-round. Check the individual experience page for seasons and hours, and contact the operator to confirm before you travel.

Ask permission before taking photos, follow posted rules at sacred and ceremonial sites, and support Native-owned businesses. Some reservations restrict alcohol or photography, so it is always wise to ask about local laws beforehand. Native Americans live like anyone else in the U.S., and most are happy to share about their culture when asked respectfully. Dressing modestly, listening when elders speak, and leaving artifacts where they lie all help you honor local customs. See our Travel Tips for a fuller guide.

Both terms are generally acceptable, although many individuals have a preference. "American Indian" refers specifically to Indigenous people of the lower 48 states, while "Native American" includes Alaska Natives as well. Native Hawaiians are not considered "Indian" and are their own unique people. "Indian Country" is the term most commonly used to refer to the homeland of Native Americans.

Indian Country refers to the many self-governing Native American communities in the U.S., including reservations and trust lands. Federally recognized tribes have a government-to-government relationship with the United States — they can make and enforce laws, determine membership, and license and regulate activities in their jurisdictions. Native Americans are also United States citizens and have the right to vote.

More than 56 million acres make up Indian Country — an area that, combined, would be roughly the size of Great Britain. It spans more than 300 areas of Indian land, including reservations, rancherias, pueblos, and villages. The largest is the 16-million-acre Navajo Nation Reservation, which stretches across three states in the Southwest. Some reservations represent Tribes' ancestral lands; others were created by the federal government to forcibly resettle Native Americans away from their homelands. Not all federally recognized tribes have reservations.

There are 575 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages. A federally recognized tribe has a government-to-government relationship with the United States. In addition, more than 60 state-recognized tribes have a degree of self-determination at the state level, though not at the federal level.

There are approximately 5.2 million Native Americans and Native Alaskans living in the U.S., including those of more than one race — about 2% of the total U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013). Enrolled members of federally recognized tribes make up less than half that number, and more than 70% of American Indians live off tribal lands.

Hundreds of languages were once spoken among the Indigenous people of North America. Today English is the most common language, used at home, school, and work, but American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians come from many different cultures with their own languages, passed down through oral tradition over thousands of years. About 200 of these languages remain, though many have only a handful of speakers, and several Tribes are working to revitalize them.

About a third of federally recognized Tribes have gaming operations, but there is much more to experience. Meet the people behind the adobe dwellings of the Southwest, the buffalo herds of the Northern Plains, the exquisitely carved totems of Alaska, and everywhere in between. Native American geography and heritage is diverse and very much alive, offering visitors a multitude of authentic experiences grounded in history and culture.