canyon de chelly national monument

5月底去的，所以热，水要带足。开进去有一段很长的山路，这个景点总括下来可能要半天的样子。开着山路，美景不断，有时是悬崖，有时是两边被烧过的枯枝。看好标志牌，别开错了。这也有印第安人居住过的痕迹，他们都会在陡峭的悬崖边生存，被美国人驱赶的。可见印第安人的顽强精神。说真的， 这个地方非常干旱，水是非常关键的，挺佩服他们。

Canyon de Chelly is breathtaking. Views from both the north and south rim are magnificent with cliff and canyon walls bathed in golds, oranges and red. The point at which Canyon de Chelly and Canyon de Muerto meet is spectacular and, to me, more awesome than any view I remember from the Grand Canyon. However, what struck me about this national monument were the voices and cries of the past. We walked down the White House Ruins trail to the floor of the canyon (not a difficult climb if one watches one's footing). The canyon floor still supports some Navajo farms. We saw horses and even goats which bleated as they scampered across seemingly sheer cliff walls. We hiked down in February so the canyon floor and the trail were almost deserted. To stand and imagine the lives of Pueblo people almost 800 years ago was moving. What was even more moving were the images that were conjured by reading about Native Americans trying to hide from both Spanish and Americans (including Kit Carson) who were determined to subjugate them. It made me sad. I highly recommend a trip to this beautiful part of the United States.

CANYON de CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT PART I-THE CANYON FLOOR (ARIZONA’S HIDDEN BYWAYS I) There is a place, a very ancient place, where time has stood still. This is an area where the wind whispers through the trees and the red rock cliffs tell tales of long forgotten times. A place where the people live as their ancestors have for eons past, and traditions are kept, cherished, and remembered. This is a place where the land is sacred, to be worked in the old ways and worshiped for its wisdom. This place is Canyon de Chelly National Monument, a jewel in the multi faceted treasure that is the Navajo Nation. Canyon de Chelly is located in the Northeast section in the state of Arizona in the Navajo Nation. The access to this National Monument is via AZ US191 to the town of Chinle, AZ. You can come up on SR191N from the I-40 in the south, and Petrified Forest National Park. You can also access the monument from the north via SR191S from the Monument Valley area or down from Cortez, CO. In either case, your entrance into Canyon de Chelly National Monument is at Chinle. There are a couple of lodges located in Chinle proper, or you can enter the Monument (no fee area) and stay at the rustic Sacred Canyon Lodge (formally the Thunderbird Lodge). The lodge is fine, but do not expect some of the amenities of other “Chain” lodges, such as WiFi. There is a restaurant about 300 feet from the lodge serving tasty, wholesome food at reasonable prices. In addition, there is a store next to the restaurant which sells hand made Navajo jewelry and items. The true beauty of this Navajo run complex is location. If you want to go into the canyon, you will need a Navajo guide. You must remember that you are entering inhabited Navajo land and there home, so govern yourselves accordingly. You can choose from a jeep trip, horseback, or guided hiking trek. A backcountry permit is required. We used Beauty Way Tours and their Navajo guide Daniel Sr., who was very knowledgeable about canyon and tribal lore. He also has an eye for the great photographic spots. There are other licensed tour vendors available. Check the list on Google or TripAdvisor for details. I cannot speak for these vendors, so make sure that they are approved by the National Park Service and/or the Navajo Nation’s Better Business Bureau. Obtain a list of approved guides. Your canyon experience depends on their quality and expertise. You also have the choice of a half day trip into Canyon de Chelly to the base of Spider Rocks, or a full day which also includes Canyon del Muerto. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRIP IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS. THESE INNER CANYON ROADS CAN GET VERY MUDDY AND QUITE SLICK AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS STREAM CROSSINGS. IN ADDITION, USING A VEHICLE WITH HIGH CLEARANCE, SUCH AS AN SUV, SMALL TRUCK, OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE JEEP TYPE, IS MANDETORY. I AM NOT KIDDING!!! FURTHERMORE, BRING WATER, FOOD, AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND YOUESELF. A GOOD AREA MAP AND GUIDE IS ESSENTIAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS EXPEDITION. In our latest trip, we took the half day tour out to Spider Rocks in the morning. I have found that the morning light is better for an examination of the Native American ruins, since the appropriate canyon wall is sun lit. The morning also has another advantage, since afternoon thunderstorms can occur during certain times of the summer/fall. We were picked up by our guide Daniel Sr. with his truck at the restaurant lot near the Sacred Canyon Lodge. It must be noted that many of the vehicles that are used for tours are older. The canyon dirt roads, ruts, stream crossings, and quicksand (yes, quicksand) plays havoc with these vehicles and their suspensions. After introductions, we drove to the office for the necessary back-country permits. We entered the canyon via a wide, flat area the easily floods, staying on the approved track. You can usually see other parties on horseback or truck in this area. Remember, this is Navajo homeland, so you will pass personal property, as well as small farms and ranches. Make sure that you tell your guide what you hope to see. Daniel Sr. was told of our photographic needs, so he was able to point out or get us to interesting photographic sites and angles. Our first site of note was on the upper left (north) canyon wall in the form of a pothole arch named HOPE ARCH (see image). It is a very nice arch to view, but difficult to approach. A little father on, we stopped to examine PETROGLYPHS (see image) carved into the canyon wall by ancient Native Americans. Take some time to examine these relics of the past. Father in, you will pass FIRST RUIN (see image) on your left, tucked under an indentation (i.e. alcove) in the cliffs. Take some time and examine these ruins from below. I was especially intrigued by the degree of sophistication of these early American architects. Note that one of the structures appears to be rounded. Ask your guide about the historical significance of these ruins, how they were built, and why they were abandoned. As you travel through the canyon, ask your guide to stop when you see something of interest. The beauty of the canyon is the play of light and shadow on the canyon walls. Stop and enjoy these unique views, for the image will change as the day progresses. Your next stop will be WHITE HOUSE RUIN (see image), which is a major stop on your journey. Make sure you stop here on the way out, because the late morning/early afternoon lighting is MUCH better than mid-morning, when the ruin may be in shadow. This is one of the larger ruins in the monument, with the lower portion being protected by a fence. In addition to the ruin, there are rest room (outhouse) facilities available. Take advantage of this facility, for you will not encounter another until you return here (note-for the full day tour, there are facilities near Mummy Cave). In addition to the facilities, the Navajo usually set up some tables and sell hand made jewelry. It is customary to negotiate the price, which increases the joy of the purchase. We have, in the past, acquired some nice silver bracelets (inlayed) here. It all depends on who is selling at a particular time. Enjoy your purchase, and remember where you acquired it. These items are usually locally made by the Navajo crafts people, who put pride into their work. Leaving White House Ruin, we proceeded to the right hand side of the junction of the two canyons and entered Canyon de Chelly proper. You will encounter a far more difficult ride with numerous stream crossings at the point, which may be hard on all of your party. Ask the guide to point out the beautiful WINDOW ARCH (see image). You will pass the front of it, which may not be in the best lighting. As you swing around the point, the rear view of the arch will reward you with its magnificent contours and splendor. This is the most photogenic arch that you will encounter in the tour. The best lighting is mid-morning/early afternoon. You are now approaching the side canyon containing the Spider Rocks. When you are one side canyon over, pull off and look through the junction into the Spider Rocks side canyon. If your positioning is right, you will get a very interesting view of the Spider Rocks and adjoining monoliths (see image). As you proceed, SPIDER ROCKS (see image) will come into view in all of its glory. The guide will probably park a few hundred feet from this grand monolith. Get out, listen to your guide as he relates the legend of the Spider Rocks, and soak it all in. Ask him to point out FACE Rock, a natural formation that has a face looking out at you. This is sacred ground, so be respectful of the traditions and beliefs. You will now double back to the junction. Those of you who opted for the full day tour will enter Canyon del Muerto. You will pass Massacre Cave, which has a terrible story associated with it. Further along, your outbound journey will terminate at Mummy Cave. This will be a major stop with restroom facilities. Finally, you will double back to the junction. In either tour, make sure that you stop at the WHITE HOUSE RUIN. The lighting should be perfect, especially if you are on the half day tour. Take plenty of photos on the way out, for one does not know when one will pass this way again. Your guide will take you back to your starting point. It is customary to tip him for his efforts, especially if he has made this a memorable journey. HAVE A SAFE AND HEALTHY TRIP. ALASKASEEKER (B.I.N.)

This park is remarkably quiet. The views from the south rim drive are spectacular, especially the White House Overlook and Spider Rock. On past trips I've approached via the north rim, which is easily as beautiful. The Navajo guides are friendly, and horsehides are easily arranged and it's an awesome way to really experience this glorious valley and its sights. Great book selection at the friendly Visitor Center.

Climb aboard the huge 4 wheel drive flat bed with seating and wonder where the canyon could be. The truck slowly moves forward (too noisy unfortunately) and slowly the walls of the canyon rise up and there you are, in Canyon de Chelly. The experience left me speechless in awe while thankfully the Navajo guides gave information about the canyon. I say that my Higher Power spends the winters here because I know where he spends the summers and that is at Western Pond inland fjord in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland. There is no alcohol on the reservation, so if you enjoy a drink be sure to bring your own. One cannot describe the canyon, so I won't attempt to do so. But go and enjoy and ponder.

we visited this area in January.It was the trip of a lifetime.Our Navajo guides made the trip especially meaningful.It was a little cold so we are coming back when the weather is more temperate

My wife and spent a day driving both rim roads and hiking down the White House ruins trail. It was a fantastic day! The hike is on uneven surfaces with no handrails. There are several places with steep drop offs also. If heights bother you, you may want to get a jeep tour through the canyon instead! A good set of binoculars are very useful as many of the ruins are quite a distance away. PLEASE keep you pets on leashes and more important DO NOT let your children run! There are cliffs and drop offs up to 700' straight down!!!! If you stay on the trails you will have no problem, but the trails are not all marked very well. The sun was shining for us but I think in the rain the rocks could get slippery. Several of the lookouts are a nice hike from the parking lot so be prepared to walk. On the map given at the visitors center you can find the locations that are handicap accessible with paved trails.

the colors in the canyon are very beautiful and very majestic, have your camera ready because you'll be taking a lot of pictures.

Well worth a visit.I managed to get some fantastic photo's.The only problem was the amount of traders though they weren't in you face.

We came here to see the great canyon that Timothy O'Sullivan photographed. It was amazing. The Canyon Jeep Tour was awesome. Our tour guide was very informative and he answered any of our questions. The tour was 3 hours but it was worth every minute.

Certainly not the Grand Canyon, but well worth a visit. The relative isolation and lack of tourists make for a peaceful experience. Only downside is presence of vendors at overlooks who are difficult to avoid. Lots of options for touring inside the canyon if you have the time. Otherwise, driving the south rim provides wonderful views from a series of overlooks.

We didn't have time for a full tour. There are numerous signs (including at the visitor center) about thefts from motor cars - we didn't have any issues - but something to consider. The drive around the rims, amazing, and i wish we had more time. We purchased trinkets off the some locals - very friendly, and always ready for a chat

Amazing place, lots to see even in winter with snow on the ground. the Navajo guide was very knowledgable and friendly and provided lots of interesting information on the 3 hour tour.

Canyon de Chelly is one of amazing places in Colorado plateau showing nature power. The canyon bottom is relatively flat and the canyon wall is steep. If you have limited time, visiting south rim is good enough. And it is better to take the photo for the spider rock in summer because the sun does directly light whole rock in winter due to low height.

Canyon de Chelly holds a special place for me. It is so simple yet very complex. The rim drives are all amazing, different and unique. White House Ruin Lookout you can actually take a self guided hike down to the ruins. Easy hike. The vendors are super well priced and unique: authentic too! You can find horse hair clay scultpures with a story etched, painted sand stone and bronze bracelets marked with a story as well. Wall paintings, petroglyphs and ruins are found, even the original foot holes to ascend/descend! Junction Outlook is impressive! A sign is posted to control pets and kids because of the 700 sheer cliff!! Spider Rock outlook is not to be missed, the meaning/legend adds insight to Diné culture. Jeep tour the canyon floor for sure- you may see wild mustangs!! Also notable is the canyon floor is home to many families still farming and herding :) The park souvenir/history center is not be missed as you will find more hard to find items like patches and 'In Beauty I Walk' poem poster. Also on hand is a jewler creating original, one of a kind pieces for purchase, a hogan (you can sleep in one at Spider Rock Campground!) and a video played of the canyon's history. The town of Chinle offers a look into daily hustle and bustle.I am already looking forward to my next trip there... I stay at Spider Rock Campground, located between Junction and Spider Rock Outlook. I have not toured thenorth rim, however there are must see spots like canyon de muerte, historically significant for the Diné, the Spainards passed through killing all in it's path during their search for gold- they did not stay in the canyon, just moved through- yes, somber... A visit heart gives you a hands on window to yesterday, today and the future.Enjoy your time there!