The TV series Dark Winds takes place primarily in the Navajo Nation during the early 1970s, specifically starting in 1971. The story is set on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, which spans parts of northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico
. The series follows Navajo Tribal Police officers, mainly Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, as they investigate crimes in this region, using the distinctive landscapes of the American Southwest to enhance its Western noir atmosphere
. Filming locations for Dark Winds closely match its setting, with production taking place in multiple sites within the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas, including:
- Monument Valley Tribal Park (Arizona/Utah border)
- Kayenta, Arizona
- Mexican Hat, Utah
- Española, New Mexico
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Pueblo de Cochiti and Tesuque Pueblo, New Mexico
- Camel Rock Studios near Santa Fe
These locations reflect the show's authentic depiction of the Navajo community and the Southwestern desert environment
. In summary, Dark Winds is set in the Navajo Nation region of the American Southwest, primarily in northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico, during the early 1970s
