Canyon de Chelly National Monument

About

Three canyons meet here, cut into De Chelly sandstone that rises in sheer red walls, over 1,000 feet at the deepest. People have farmed the floor for nearly 5,000 years, and Navajo families still live down there, so the canyon bottom is closed to unaccompanied visitors. The two paved rim drives are the exception, ten overlooks, ending at Spider Rock, a spire 750 feet above the floor. The only self-guided hike is the White House Ruin Trail, 2.5 miles round trip, 600 feet of switchbacks to a cliff dwelling. No entrance fee or reservation, and the rim drives stay open year round. Everything below the rim takes an authorized Navajo guide plus a backcountry permit from Navajo Parks (928-674-2106). Approach from US-191 in Chinle; Route 7 from the east near Sawmill is unpaved and unmaintained. Start early, carry water, skip 10am to 4pm in summer, and turn back if rain threatens: this canyon floods fast and sheds rock.

Highlights

Getting there

Route 7, 3 miles east of Highway 191, Chinle, AZ 86503