Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly are open. Here's what to do there Anasazi is Navajo for "the ancient ones." Here is a video of the Anasazi White House Ruins from the outlook above: Canyon de Chelly Tours Based on rules established by the Navajo Nation, all guides must be Navajo and most probably reside in the canyon area. If you have the time, stop at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site here. Too far in. Alternatively, if you would like a more planned day, you can hire a Canyon de Chelly guide. Ben was a little confused about which couple was from where and kept asking the CA couple questions about FL, though he didn't ask us about CA. We drove the south rim with our car and took the short hike down the canyon to white house ruins. 5. Perry was good humored and good hearted. Canyon De Chelly Tours has been operating for over 25 years and we are proud to carry on the tradition established by our original founder, Leon Skyhorse Thomas. However, to explore the canyons interior, youll need to hire a Navajo guide. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It was amazing to see the cliff houses and think about people climbing up to their homes every time they went out. Well worth the effort to get there. - Canyon de Chelly National Re: Canyon de Chelly Is it worth the stop? We met so many welcoming friendly Din people, it was hard to leave. A private tour like this is not cheap- and there were several taxes, plus the backcountry pass on top of the advertised price, but it was week worth it, One thing that might have been nice is some kind of signage to reassure us we were waiting in the right place, our guide was a few minutes late and we wondered if there was a different car park or something. (Another couple was looking for a tour, so we decided to do one together and save a few dollars.) It took 2 hours to go down and visit the ruins and return. With the exception of one short hiking trail, the canyon can only be explored in the company of a Navajo guide. As mentioned in another review, and not knowing too much about the history before we arrived, it was quite surprising to find that all the ruins, and most of the pictograms and petraglyphs are actually artefacts from the Anasazi people, who preceded the Navajo, and who the Navajo hold in high esteem and revere.We really got a sense of the spiritual atmosphere of the canyon and felt rather privileged to be taken around - after all people do actually live and work there (in the summer months anyway).We were delivered back to the hotel about 12:15.We drove the south rim in the afternoon and overall, I was glad we decided to take the tour into the canyon in the morning. The second morning we visited the overlooks on the south rim, seeing some of the ruins from the day before from above, before heading off for Mesa Verde. Most people experience the park by driving its two scenic drives, one with views of Canyon de Chelly and the other with views of Canyon del Muerto. Some people on this site including Red Rox made a big deal about certain guides. It's an exhilarating hike to the bottom of the Canyon to see the White House dwelling. One day in Monument Valley - Which Navajo Spirit Tour? Admission to Canyon de Chelly National Monument is free, although you will need a guide to explore inside the canyons. Reginald's stories about Navajo culture and history made the visit particularly special and memorable. Call 928-674-2106 for more information. Re: Would it be worth driving to Canyon de Chelly? - See 1,903 traveler reviews, 1,755 candid photos, and great deals for Chinle, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Arizona: Canyon de Chelly National Monument - U.S. National Park Service more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. After stopping at the visitor centre for permits, we entered the canyon and were taken on a three-hour tour of the main sights in the canyon as far as the White House ruins. Enjoy a tour into the canyon by vehicle, horseback or hiking. That area is not seen from inside the canyon. You can view Ancestral Puebloan pit houses dating back nearly 5,000 years, cliff dwellings built into the canyon walls, and Hogans lived in by Navajo today for free from overlooks on the rim. So if you have special eating needs, this is a place you may want to pack a picnic. 738 reviews #1 of 13 Outdoor Activities in Chinle Cultural Tours Walking Tours Hiking & Camping Tours Private Tours Archaeology Tours Open now 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Write a review See all photos About Canyon De Chelly Tours is an enterprise of the late Leon Skyhorse Thomas, now owned and operated by his daughter, Tanya Yazzie. You can also hire a Navajo guide at the visitor center to take you into the canyon on a 4x4, horseback, or hiking tour. Worth the stop - Review of Canyon de Chelly National - Tripadvisor 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. He moved to Gambia and we didnot hear from him since. Bring cash or personal checks for payment. Plenty of history and beautiful scenery all throughout. We recommend visiting in the spring or fall as youll get warm weather that will still be comfortable for hiking. I can't explain the feeling that came over me . With the exception of one short hiking trail, the canyon can only be explored in the company of a Navajo guide. Oct 2019 Canyon de Chelly National Monument on the Navajo Tribal Nation is one of the most unique natural treasures in Arizona. Read lots of reviews here about the overlooks vs. a guided tour in the canyon, canyon guides, etc. View all alerts NPS.gov Outstanding tour by Canyon De Chelly Tours's, Jarvin Yazzie. Then, make your way back towards the Visitors Center stoping at all of the scenic overlooks on the way. This was easy to see as you drive from one area to another even if you don't take tours. Loved the Canyon. more. Helps to be fit and comfortable walking on gently sloped surface. We really enjoyed the history lessons she gave us. Canyon de Chelly or Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a protected site that contains the remains of 5,000 years of Native American inhabitation. A Two Week Iceland Itinerary: Ring Road and More. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We saw petroglyphs and pictograms to start and then on to the various ruins. You will appreciate the whole Canyon de Chelly more if you do the jeep tour. Please watch the video to plan your visit to Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Or, you can exit I-40 at Window Rock and drive approximately 50 miles north on IR 12 to Tsaile. Beginner's guide to Monument Valley. The park features a Welcome Center, two rim drives with nine overlooks. Stop at the Visitors Center and learn about the history of the canyon. United States - Canyon de Chelly - I will be staying in Sedona and would like to visit Canyon de Chelly, or other Indian monuments. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. However, the park is open year round. The cliff dwellings and the petroglyphs were amazing to see "in real life". Pack a lunch. Canyon de Chelley was more beautiful than we expected. Jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Navajo Nation, Canyon de Chelly National Monument sits on approximately 84,000 acres of tribal land in northeast Arizona and actually consists of two canyons: Canyon de Chelly (pronounced shay) and Canyon del Muerto. You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. He explained what we were seeing including many petroglyphs and pictographs. Read our, Ways to Experience Canyon de Chelly National Monument. more information on current conditions Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details. Teresa Bitler moved to Phoenix before her first birthday and has written about the city's attractions, restaurants, and resorts for the last 15 years. Help power the National Parks Travelers coverage of national parks and protected areas. We never felt rushed.The 3 hour tour was actually close to 4 hours. Read our, Ways to Experience Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The trip, while probably not essential to enjoying the canyon sights, was worthwhile. Suggested duration More than 3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. There are about 9 or 10 different companies servicing the canyon and all have more than one guide working for them. Explore the Antelope House Overlook, the Massacre Cave Overlook and the Mummy Cave Overlook. So exploring in the middle of summer or the middle of winter will give you extreme temperatures. So, I definitely agree that just doing the overlooks is missing out on a memorable experience. My husband and I are going to Canyon De Chelly in mid May and want to take a jeep tour with him. Next time. A place like no other, the park and Navajo . Make sure to stop by the Welcome Center. Canyon de Chelly National Monument: Wonderful place to visit - worth the trip! State Route 264 is the only major highway that crosses both the Navajo and Hopi. Worth the visit. This provides a brief overview of how to make the best of your visit and what you should know before you go. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Reservations are recommended from March to October. Didn't seem interesting to take the jeep tours. Thank you. Access into the canyon may be restricted due to hazardous conditions or for resource protection. I could have stayed longer than the two days I did, although two days is sufficient if you are just going to do a jeep tour and visit the overlooks. Use of private vehicles, ATV's, UTV's or motorbikes for tours are not permitted. Take advantage of one of Canyon de Chelly's many campsites in the Cottonwood Campground. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. You can fly into the Albuquerque or Phoenix airports, rent a car and drive from there. There is only one trail in Canyon de Chelly National Monument that you can hike without a guide, the White House Trail. Although others have complained about the "restrictions" to access to the Canyon floor----by that they mean that the Navajo's have the right to take people through the canyon floor and charge for it, if you want an opportunity to meet the "local folk" in whose reservation the Canyon lies, and the opportunity to see up close, both historic era Navajo sites and prehistoric Navajo and Pueblo sites, the most memorable and interesting way to view it is from the Canyon bottom with a guide. Robin M Rochester, NY 77 70 Worth the drive Review of Canyon de Chelly National Monument Reviewed October 11, 2011 Loved the Canyon. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The town of Chinle is 2 miles from the park and offers a grocery store, post office, hardware store, bank, laundromats, gas stations, convenience stores, and fast food places. Canyon de Chelly National Monument | Visit Arizona A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of, National Parks Traveler 2021-22 Annual Report, National Parks Traveler 2020-2021 Annual Report, National Parks Traveler 2019-2020 Annual Report, Get the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, Understanding Climate Change Impacts On National Parks, Colorado River Series-Canyonlands National Park, Not Enough Water And Too Many Invasives At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Mixing Oil And Water At Big Cypress National Preserve, Coping With 21st Century Wildfires In The Parks, Tackling The Maintenance Backlog In The Park System, Backlog Of Maintenance Needs Creates Risks In National Parks, Groups Continually At Work To Acquire Private Lands Key To National Parks, Invasive Species A Plague On the National Park System, Lack Of Dollars Crippling National Park Facilities For Staff And Visitors, Maintenance Backlog Impacts Historic Structures In National Parks, Mixing Energy Development And National Parks, NPS Is Running $670 Million Behind On Caring For Maintained Landscapes, National Park Roads And Bridges Impacted By Lack Of Maintenance, Private Philanthropy Fills The Gaps Of Deferred Maintenance, Wastewater And Sewer Facilities Failing In National Parks, The Care And Keeping Of History Within The National Park System, Oil Trains Pose A Significant Threat To National Parks, 3rd Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, 2nd Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, First Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, Threatened And Endangered Parks: Introduction, Threatened And Endangered Parks: The Lists. You can drive from stop to stop and see into the canyons without a lot of hiking. Related: The ultimate guide to planning epic stargazing road trips in the US southwest. Excellent CDC and CDM jeep tour with Richard. The park lists this closure as temporary but no plans are in place to reopen it. The color of the sandstone offers dramatic shading and colors especially when the sun starts to set. Youre in a desert. Driving distance from GC south rim to Gouldings? We stayed at the Holiday Inn (lousy internet) and then took an early morning jeep tour with our guide, Reginald. We stayed at the Holiday Inn for two nights in September while on a trip from the UK. This is an absolutely beautiful place. Canyon de Chelly - World History Encyclopedia Highly recommend the walking tour as the best option. The navajos had wares to sell at each place but unique pieces that we did not find anywhere else. Dont see exactly what you were looking for? Spectacular canyon with fascinating history. Other useful information includes. Further in to the canyon, there are areas where some of the families are selling frybread, drinks, pottery and jewelry. Canyon de Chelly - Backpacking Light There is NO entrance fee. We only had time for the southern road but it was very beautiful. It's worth it. Appreciate info on the guide(s) that understand photography and our needs. White House Ruin Trail [CLOSED]: 204 Reviews, Map - AllTrails We had last visited the canyon 30 years ago and was struck by how much it had changed. Is it worth the trip? Maybe - Review of Canyon de Chelly National The Canyon is well within the Navajo Nation and families live and thrive in and around the Canyon. sheet cliffs and/or drop points. Turn west at IR 64 and follow it to Mummy Cave Overlook, which becomes the North Rim Drive. We paid $150 dollars for a 3 hour trip for two people, which was charged to our hotel bill. I highly recommend this as you get some history and the view of the ruins from within the canyon is infinitely better than the view from the rim. Private companies registered with the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department (NPRD) offer canyon tours in the park. The canyon walls are as deep as 500 feet, ie. Our culture is a mix of Native American, Hispanic, Spanish, and European. Spider rock is really impressive as well. You forgot to mention Cottonwood Campground. Also, the restaurant is the best we ate at the whole weekend there with good service and a reasonable menu.This is an outdoor experience unless you just want to drive the overlook. There are also 3 motels with dining and gift shops. I can only describe it as a spiritual awakening. Stopped at the great views including ancient ruins. It was so helpful having this perspective before our tour the following morning. We pride ourselves in offering you an experience you will not soon forget. Extra nights and a full-day tour upgrade are also available. Canyon de Chelly National Monument was authorized in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover in large measure to preserve the important archeological resources that span more than 4,000 years of human occupation. We also talked viewing the Canyon from the rim, in addition to the tour from the floor of the canyon with her Company. I would like to get contact info for Reg. What route I are taking from Bryce? While visiting the Navajo Nation, please remember we observe Daylight Savings Time from March to November. Canyon de Chelley has its own magic for people who are interested in the desert environment and the relationship between American Indian prehistory/history and the desert. Home to members of the Navajo Nation for nearly 5,000 years, Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeast Arizona offers a one-of-a-kind look into the history of these tribes. I want to check on a former Booking on Sept. 20th. One of the first trips through Arizona, over two decades ago, took us to Canyon de Chelly National Monument, one of the most spectacular National Park sites in the state. I think Bxkid already has been there, and I wonder how Tony Grant (Falbald) is doing. First, we were worried that the tour would be too rough because my husband was having back pain. This wonderful tour is very well worth the price. Revered by the Navajo people, the awe-inspiring Canyon de Chelly National Monument east of Chinle, Arizona is a sacred and enchanting place. From the visitor center, Canyon de Chelly runs slightly southeast while Canyon del Muerto runs northeast, forming a V.. Nice roads with many viewpoints. The White House Overlook and Trail are currently closed due to safety and law enforcement concerns. Dont worry though, once youre done with this hike, you have a nice day of driving and vista-ing ahead of you. Canyon de Chelly Tours (Chinle) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This is a National Monument, but different from most every other park or monument. We arrived at the hotel in late afternoon, and in the gift shop we were able to arrange a tour of the canyon for the next morning. Of the parks two scenic drives, the South Rim Drive is the most popular. You can find a guide online at Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation or the parks visitor center. He shared many stories with us, and showed us many sites beyond the usual ones. You know where the money is going and you can actually speak to the person who most likely made the items, or at least know the person who did. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Review of Canyon de Chelly National Monument Reviewed February 3, 2018 Located just outside Chinle in North East AZ, this National Park is well worth the effort of getting there. Such an amazing tour. We had such a memorable, inspiring and enjoyable time with him. Read our. The drive between Tuba City and Canyon de Chelly may be the most intriguing road trip in Arizona. Toggle submenu for First Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks. Tanya has a background in Archaeology and continues to work in the cultural resource management field. However, it was well worth the drive. Many guides and even Cottonwood Campground do not accept debit or credit cards. In the morning, it was a 30-minute drive north on U.S. Route 163 to the entrance of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, just across the state line in Utah. Reservations are recommended from March to October. He was friendly and informative and answered any and all questions we posed. Deserts are cold in the morning and warm up quickly in the sun so being able to shed layers (or add them) is important. The gorges were terrific and we were able to speak with a number of navajos who explained some of the history of the area. I generally hike in sandals blasphemy, I know and I needed shoes for this one. CANYON TOURS A tour into the backcountry of the canyon is truly a unique experience. before the visitor's center closed. Here is my take: The only overlook that is really breathtaking is Spyder Rock which is the farthest one on the south rim. The Thunderbird Lodge gift shop and rug room offer some of the regions finest examples of Native American jewelry, rugs, artwork and crafts. The park, which is administered cooperatively by. The jeep we were in was in excellent shape and had an electric winch (which Reginald used to get another vehicle unstuck from dep sand). Al Weigel. Tours and Tickets by Canyon de Chelly Tours. We drove the North Rim and the South Rim, hiked down to The White House and took a private tour in the afternoon. Apr 18, 2022 7:38 PM EDT Worth the Trip? In the middle of the Navajo Indian Reservation, this place is one of the most impressive works of art of the Colorado River. We drove the North rim the morning before and the South rim, later in the afternoon before, on our own. His family has been running the tours for generations now. I recommend budgeting 7-8 Home About Traveler Photo Gallery Travel Videos Road Diary Destinations Lodging Foods Best Of Reviews Industry Press Kit Services News Marketing Tools Work With MRT Contact Us All are licensed through the visitor center and all are Navajo's living in the area. Canyon de Chelly: An Unforgettable Trip to the Land of the Din Adam was giving a lecture somewhere but Ben was available for the afternoon, so we booked him for 1PM. Would it be worth driving to Canyon de Chelly? - Chinle Forum Enjoy the scenic views from the overlooks, Enjoy a free canyon hike with a Park Ranger, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Tanya made sure he had a Suburban for a more comfortable and less bouncy ride. 4 PM. We felt lucky to be riding in a big Suburban rather than the open jeeps as the ground is dusty, bumpy and Dez calls the jeeps and other vehicles "the shake and bake" tour. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. I would highly recommend this tour company (and make sure that you get this company, and not its similarly named competitor). 2020 Update: White House Overlook and Trail closed during the beginning of the pandemic and has not yet reopened to be public. And - it's free. In the 18 years since I was there I don't think a week has went by that I didn't think about Canyon de Chelly. Good experience, just wish we had been able to spend a couple of hours there. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. There are over 2,700 archaeological sites within the many canyons of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. We call the Midwest our home but we have a passion for finding time to see the world together. We booked through our hotel which rotates 3 different companies. The park is located in Chinle, Arizona, and is entirely on Navajo tribal lands with families living in the canyon. That Canyon is a wonderful distillation of long term survival in an arid environment that is scenically breathtaking. In fact, there is a Navajo weaver demonstrated her 'art' of making a navajo rug. There were people in the Suburban, so about 1:15, when no one showed up for us, I began to wonder if our tour had been hijacked. The tribe keeps the overlooks clean and regulates the vendors so that you are getting authentic Navajo crafts from sellers who sit and wait for business but do not solicit you. The tours are weather-dependent and we were very lucky to be able to spend 2 x 6 hour trips, one in Canyon de los Muertes and one in Canyon de Chelly. He was friendly and engaging and answered all our (many) questions. As an Indigenous woman-owned company, every guide is certified by the National Park Service to provide you with a memorable experience. Pets are not permitted in the visitor center, on the White House Trail, or canyon tours. Canyon de Chelly - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums History & Culture - Canyon de Chelly National Monument (U.S. National The visitor center and several overlooksMassacre Cave Overlook on North Rim Drive, Tsegi, Junction, White House, and Spider Rock overlooks on South Rim Driveare accessible. It was a typical stop, bathrooms, a couple examples of hogans (Navajo homes) and the usual "Welcome to" sign. We are all photographers and interested in visiting the canyon(s) during the best lighting conditions to capture the best images. We arrived late in the day but quickly took the time to travel this trail. Guides will often create custom experiences. Please contact the companies directly for prices, reservations and availability. Where is White House Ruin? I like all the answers but this thread is 2 years old. Heading to East coast. The rates are for two people based on double occupancy. Following the edge of Canyon de Chelly, it boasts one of the parks most notable formations, Spider Rock, an 800-foot sandstone monolith said to be the home of Spider Woman. Theyre flexible so if you want a length of tour not seen on their website call them up and discuss what you want re locations and length. A unique, enlightening and memorable tour. I guess, since we booked with them twice, we were quite pleased the first time. Highly recommend a jeep canyon tour so that you can experience the scenery and life below the rim. Return to Interstate 40 via either the way you came or via the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Canyon de Chelly National Monument in the Navajo Nation.