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Captivating Canyon de Chelly

The Navajo town of Chinle provides the gateway to the stunning Canyon de Chelly National Monument situated east of arizona's Painted Desert.

This stunning natural masterpiece became part of the national park service in 1931 as it is situated on their Tribal Land, the Navajo indians inhabit and farm the canyon floor.

The canyon was first occupied by primitive indians about 2000 years ago before the Anasazi moved in and created the wonderful cliff dwellings that you see today.

Access to the valley below is limited to taking tours with either a park ranger or an official Navajo guide, if you are the proud owner of a 4x4 then it is possible to hire a guide and drive the valley in your own vehicle.

As most tourists arrive here by car it is free and easy to view the park under your own steam by taking the north rim and south rim scenic drives stopping off at viewpoints to stretch your legs and take photographs of the distant cliff dwellings.

Cliff Dwelling


Apart from the two free rim drives there is only one trail that you can take unsupervised, but it is well worth the effort to hike down to White House Ruins using a steep and rocky path that is safe and not too strenuous, once at the White House the view of the sheer sandstone canyon walls shooting up 500 or so feet is inspiring and will force you to use up quite a bit of film in your camera.

Have a good look around the Anasazi ruins and local Navajo traders and use the rest rooms before the steep climb back to your car, tiring but you will be glad that you made the effort.

Near the end of the south rim drive you will come across Spider Rock sitting on the canyon floor all alone and peaking about 800 feet high, the Navajo believe a spider woman lives at the top of this natural sandstone pillar and guards the bones of her victims.

Canyon de Chelly Riders


Just doing the free rim drives and the walk down to White House ruins will take up most of your day here, but if its a full guided tour to the base of the canyon that you would rather participate in then why not try a full day outing in a jeep with one of the Navajo guides whose people have made Canyon de Chelly their home for the last 300 years.

The valley floor provides breathtaking views of sheer sandstone canyon walls in some areas reaching over 1000 feet in height and will also allow you to meet the Navajo up close and even enter a hogan if you are willing to tip the owner.

I hope that you enjoy your time at the park that the Anasazi have enhanced with their architectural brilliance and the friendly Navajo grace with their continued presence, I know I did.

Buell Park to the east where high quality Garnet gemstones are mined just north of Fort Defiance

The town of Chinle has a Holiday inn at Garcia Trading Post.

Holiday Inn



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