Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Canyon de Chelly Table of Contents

• Map of Canyon de Chelly
• Photographs
• The canyon floor
• Scenic drives and overlooks, north rim and south rim
• Hiking in Canyon de Chelly
• Camping in the national monument
• White House Ruin Trail
• Nearby places
• What places are similar to Canyon de Chelly?

Location

Map of Canyon de Chelly.

Photographs

28 views of Canyon de Chelly.

The Canyon Floor

Just east of town, the muddy, seasonal Chinle Wash emerges from the lower end of Canyon de Chelly, between walls that are only a few feet high but rise sharply after a short distance, hence restricting vehicles to a single entrance, next to the stream. A sandy track leads alongside the wash to the scattered settlements and ancient ruins, but all visiting vehicles must be accompanied by a Navajo guide, and foot travel is similarly restricted. The canyon floor remains green and fertile all year round; this, together with the protection offered by the rocky walls and the beauty of the landscape explain why the valley has been inhabited for so long - from primitive peoples 2,000 years ago, through the Anasazi civilization of the twelfth century which occupied a large area of the Southwest before suddenly disappearing, to the Navajo who have lived here for the last 300 years. They rear sheep and goats in the canyon, and plant crops; around 40 families have a permanent home here.

Scenic Drives in Canyon de Chelly

The Canyon de Chelly drainage system comprises four main gorges (Canyon del Muerto, Black Rock Canyon, Canyon de Chelly and Monument-Canyon - see map), plus dozens of side ravines, branching eastwards from Chinle into the Defiance Plateau. Most of it may be reached only at rim level via rough, unpaved tracks - just the north edge of Canyon del Muerto and the south edge of Canyon de Chelly are accessible from paved roads. The North Rim Drive (Indian Reservation 64) links Chinle with the north-south route IR 12 and passes several overlooks, while the South Rim Drive, although not a through road, offers more dramatic vistas, ending at the most spectacular viewpoint of all, the overlook of Spider Rocks, which are twin 800 foot towers of de Chelly sandstone isolated from the canyon walls. The rocks are a site of special significance for the Navajo, as according to legend, the Spider Woman lives on top and keeps the bones of her victims there. Beyond the rocks, the main canyon continues unseen for many miles.

Canyon de Chelly Overlooks - descriptions and photographs of 19 overlooks along the canyon edge.

Canyon de Chelly Trails

Canyon de Chelly National Monument is administered as part of the National Park Service but since it lies on Navajo land, admission is free. However, unsupervised access is restricted to the rim overlooks and to a single trail into the canyon, leading to the White House Ruins, as for all other trips down or along the canyon, a Navajo escort is required. The ruins date from about 1200 and are some of the oldest in the canyon. The trailhead is located seven miles along the South Rim Drive; the 1.2 mile White House Ruin Trail is rocky and steep in places but well-maintained and not too difficult - it takes between 25 and 50 minutes to get down, depending on fitness, though despite the pleasures of walking, many visitors prefer to take the Navajo jeep tours, which visit various other locations along the canyon, last for all or half of a day, and cost in the range $100 to $250. Guides and backcountry permits are needed if hiking any other trail in the national monument - South Rim routes include the short path into the canyon at Tunnel Overlook (the westernmost viewpoint), and the Zuni Trail and White Sands Trail near Sliding Rock Overlook. There are several remote paths along Middle Mesa, between the two main canyons, while more accessible paths on the North Rim include Bare Rock Trail to the base of Little Navajo Fortress, Antelope Trail near Antelope House Ruins, Many Skulls Trail near Big Cave Ruins and Hanging Ladder Trail in the vicinity of Mummy Cave.

Camping

Canyon de Chelly National Monument has a well-stocked visitor center, near which is an excellent campsite (Cottonwood Campground) with basic facilities - though no showers - and plenty of sites, nestled beneath large cottonwood trees. For many years there was no charge to stay here, but fees have been collected since April 2012. Like Chinle itself, the site is visited by quite a few stray dogs, but they tend to be friendly and well-behaved. Another option is Spider Rock Campground, a privately-managed operation along the South Rim Drive but just outside the monument boundaries.

Trails of Canyon de Chelly

Canyon de Chelly - Nearby Places

• Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site (37 miles from Chinle) - homestead and store dating from the late 19th century
• Monument Valley (104 miles from Chinle) - famous red buttes and mesas
• Petrified Forest National Park (99 miles from Chinle) - brilliantly colored fossilized logs, plus fine desert scenery

Canyon de Chelly - Similar Places

• Colorado National Monument, Colorado - dramatic sandstone canyon of comparable dimensions
• Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona - cliff dwellings in a wooded canyon east of Flagstaff