Canyon de Chelly arizona

Canyon de Chelly National Monument: How to Plan a Tour

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In the vast red desert landscape of Arizona, in the same state as the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, there is a unknown canyon that is comparable to these two famous national parks, both in terms of its beauty and splendor.

We are talking about the Canyon De Chelly National Monument, a protected natural area of about 131 square miles located in Apache County, in the northeastern corner of Arizona, established as a National Monument in 1931.

The Canyon De Chelly, located within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, is without a doubt a majestic place, with its two protruding sandstone soaring walls that form imposing cliffs up to 984 ft high.

Deep in the canyon it’s easy to see the Chinle Wash, unusual vegetation and spectacular centuries-old adobe settlements of the ancient Anasazi (which you can also find in the Mesa Verde National Park) built directly into the cliffs.

Canyon de Chelly, which in turn is formed by two canyons (Muerto Canyon and Monument Canyon), branches out into numerous smaller canyons, creating an intricate maze of over 25 miles.

How to get there

Canyon de Chelly is located in northeastern Arizona within the Navajo Indian Reservation. As mentioned, it is slightly off the main tourist routes. Here are the travel times from major towns in the area:

  • Gallup: about an hour and a half
  • Albuquerque: approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes
  • Flagstaff: around an hour and 50 minutes
  • Kayenta: an hour and 15 minutes
  • Page: two hours and 40 minutes

Hours, Tickets, and Other Information

Entrance to the park is free. The Visitor Center is open year-round from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on Christmas and Thanksgiving.

I suggest starting your visit at the visitor center, where you’ll find a reconstruction of a traditional Hogan dwelling used by the Native people as a home. Inside, there is a museum that traces the history of the Canyon and the populations that inhabited it.

What is the Best Way to Visit Canyon De Chelly?

Canyon de Chelly ArizonaThis natural wonder is well-protected by the Navajo, who do not allow excursions inside the canyon except by guided tour (strictly organized by them). The only exception is the White House Ruins Trail, which leads to the only Anasazi ruins that can be visited for free admission.

Alternatively, you can explore the along the edges of the canyon, where there are a series of ten outlooks spectacular views that stretch across South Rim Drive and North Rim Drive (we’ll talk about it in a few minutes).

The other option is to book tours with Navajo guides who will accompany you at the bottom of the canyon. The tours are available in vehicles, horseback or on foot and are run by several companies, which you can find here.

The White House Ruins Trail

Canyon de Chelly attractionsThis is the only point where you can access the bottom of the canyon without a Navajo guide and it takes about 40 minutes to walk down and an hour to climb up. The steep trail is beautiful and at the end you will get a close view of the ruins. You will find facilities both at the beginning and the end of the trail (no pets allowed).

Attention: Currently (July 2023), the trail has been closed for safety reasons, and it is not yet known when it will be possible to hike it again.

Visit Canyon De Chelly from above: The Overlooks along the Edges

The simplest solution is to visit the park along the outer rims, both for convenience (all the viewpoints are accessible by car) and for the beauty that only a view from above can offer.

Canyon de Chelly map
Spider Rock

The panoramic viewpoints along the North Rim

Here are all the viewpoints you can visit by driving along the North Rim, following the course of Canyon del Muerto:

  • Ledge Ruin Overlook: Unfortunately, this viewpoint has been closed for a long time due to safety reasons.
  • Antelope House Overlook: This is one of the most popular points in the park. It takes its name from ancient rock paintings depicting antelopes found along a cliff wall.
  • Mummy Cave Overlook: From here, you can observe a group of ancient ruins located on the opposite side of the canyon. The place got its name after the discovery of two mummies nearby.
  • Massacre Cave Overlook: This viewpoint is named after a very tragic episode in Native American history. In 1805, a Spanish military expedition killed over 110 Navajos who had taken refuge in a cave that can be observed from the viewpoint.

Allow at least two hours to leisurely visit all the viewpoints. Keep in mind that the best photos in this part of the park are taken in the morning.

The panoramic viewpoints along the South Rim

Here are 7 more panoramic viewpoints scattered along the South Rim Drive. This side of the park is more suitable for afternoon photography. The characteristic of this area is that the road gradually ascends from the visitor center, so each viewpoint will be at a higher elevation than the previous one.

Here are the viewpoints:

  • Tunnel Overlook: From here, a trail descends to the entrance of Chinle Wash, but it can only be traversed through a guided tour.
  • Tsegi Overlook: An adjacent viewpoint that offers a beautiful overall view of the canyon.
  • Junction Overlook: Provides a view above the point where Canyon del Muerto and Canyon de Chelly intersect. From here, you can also see the remains of two ruins in the distance: Junction Ruin and First Ruin.
  • White House Overlook: This is the most popular viewpoint in the park to observe the famous ruins and embark on the eponymous trail we mentioned earlier.
  • Sliding House Overlook: From here, you can also observe the remains of ancient Native dwellings and enjoy stunning cliffside views of the canyon.
  • Face Rock Overlook: Access to this viewpoint is via a short trail from the parking area along the road.
  • Spider Rocks Overlook: This viewpoint overlooks the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon and offers a stunning view of Spider Rock and Speaking Rock.

Canyon de Chelly Map

Places to Stay near Canyon de Chelly

Hotels in the immediate vicinity (e.g. the Thunderbird Lodge, where you can also book Canyon de Chelly tours) fill up quickly, so it’s best to look in advance.

In any case, if you are not set on sleeping immediately next to the canyon but are content to stay somewhere at a short and reasonable distance instead, you can look in the town of Chinle, where you will find the Holiday Inn Canyon De Chelly, one of the more popular hotels, with cabin-style furniture, many amenities and excellent cuisine, all at just a 10 minutes drive from the park.

At about 1 hour and 40 minutes you’ll find Kayenta, a fairly ordinary town where you can find cheap hotels (by the way, it’s also a good stop for Monument Valley).

Even those traveling farther distances, about 3 hours from Canyon de Chelly, you can choose to stay in Page, which is also great for visiting Antelope Canyon, as well as Flagstaff, which is ideal if you also visit the Grand Canyon.

How Many Days? Tips to Plan an Itinerary

visit Canyon de Chelly national monumentAre you wondering how many days you should spend in Canyon De Chelly? That depends.

  • In half a day you can see all 10 overlooks on Scenic Drive.
  • If you have a full day, in addition to the edge tour, you can also go on the White House Ruins Trail, or on a half-day paid tour.
  • In 2 days you can combine the scenic tour and the White House Ruins Trail with a paid full day tour.

Our Tip:
Looking for accommodations for your trip from California to other parts of the Southwest? Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Where to Stay: Our Tips for the SouthWest Area

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

lorenzo puliti
lorenzo puliti

I am fascinated by the wonders of the world I never tire of going in search of them.

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