On the Navajo reservation in Eastern Arizona, lies Canyon de Chelly (pronounced “de-SHAY”) National Monument. This amazing canyon houses ancient Puebloen buildings and preserves pieces of history. This lesser-known park is a great place to view ancient ruins while avoiding the crowds.
Canyon de Chelly is owned and operated by the Navajo nation and native people still live and manage the canyon today. As such, a bit more planning is required to visit the canyon as there are strict rules on where you can and can’t go. Keep to the marked trails and road, unless you have a Navajo guide accompanying you.
You can easily explore Canyon de Chelly in one day. Our Canyon de Chelly guide will provide you with all the information you need to plan your day at the National Monument so that you will get to explore everything this park has to offer.
Top Things To Do
When to Visit Canyon de Chelly
Canyon de Chelly is in the dessert. So exploring in the middle of summer or the middle of winter will give you extreme temperatures. However, the park is open year round. We recommend visiting in the spring or fall as you’ll get warm weather that will still be comfortable for hiking.
Getting There and Around
You will need a car to explore Canyon de Chelly. It is a bit in the middle of nowhere and the best way to see the canyon is via the scenic drives. You can fly into the Albuquerque or Phoenix airports, rent a car and drive from there.
Once you arrive in Canyon de Chelly, there is no entrance fee, it’s FREE! So enjoy.
However, be aware that there are few accommodations nearby. So if you have special eating needs, this is a place you may want to pack a picnic. However, there are some great Native American dishes that you can try in this area; fry bread is a must!
Where to Stay
There are not many option for sleeping accommodations in this area. However, this area also isn’t particularly popular so you could probably get by without making reservations. There are a few hotels in the nearby town of Chinle. You can also stay in the Cottonwood Campground which is at the entrance to the park. We stayed in the campground and enjoyed it, but note that they only allow grill cooking, no fires allowed. The campground is first come first served but we had no problems getting a site in early September.
Canyon de Chelly Itinerary
Wake up early in the morning and head straight to the White House Overlook. Take in the sights and then begin the 2.5 mile round trip hike down into the canyon to get a close up look of this cliff dwelling. This hike sounds short but because of the elevation change it is challenging. Make sure to bring plenty of water as the return journey will be the hardest. We recommend doing this hike first thing in the morning when you have plenty of energy and before the heat takes over. Don’t worry though, once you’re done with this hike, you have a nice day of driving and vista-ing ahead of you.
2020 Update: White House Overlook and Trail closed during the beginning of the pandemic and has not yet reopened to be public. The park lists this closure as temporary but no plans are in place to reopen it.
Next, head all the way to the end of the South Rim Drive and take in the Spider Rock Overlook.
Then, make your way back towards the Visitor’s Center stoping at all of the scenic overlooks on the way. Stop at the Visitor’s Center and learn about the history of the canyon.
Next, head out along the North Rim Drive. Explore the Antelope House Overlook, the Massacre Cave Overlook and the Mummy Cave Overlook.
You’ve seen the park! So you can head out on your merry way, or continue on the Ultimate Arizona Road Trip.
Alternatively, if you would like a more planned day, you can hire a Canyon de Chelly guide. Navajo guides lead hiking, driving, and four wheel drive tours in the canyon. Check at the Cottonwood Campground for a list of recommended vendors. If you finish exploring the canyon early and would like to spend your afternoon on a tour, there are several 3 hour tours that would be great for the afternoon.
What To Pack?
Pack light clothes that you can layer. Deserts are cold in the morning and warm up quickly in the sun so being able to shed layers (or add them) is important.
You’re in a desert. Remember to pack sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes. You’ll also want plenty of water, especially when you go on the White House Trail hike. We didn’t find any running water past the visitors center so make sure to fill your water bottles up when you can.
Also, the White House hike was a challenge. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and socks for the hike. I generally hike in sandals – blasphemy, I know – and I needed shoes for this one.
We hope you enjoyed our guide to Canyon de Chelly. This really was a nice quiet park that we hope the National Park enthusiasts out there will enjoy. Please let us know if you have any questions in the comment section below and we’d be happy to help.
