Located in the northeastern corner of Arizona, Canyon de Chelly was established as a national monument on April 1, 1931. The canyon is within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation and preserves ruins of the early indigenous tribes that lived in the area. The canyon was cut by streams with headwaters in the Chuska mountains just east of the monument.
Unique among National Park Service areas, it consists entirely of Navajo Tribal Trust Land and remains in the ownership of the Navajo Nation. It is the home to the canyon community but park matters are administered by the National Park Service.
Access to the canyon floor is restricted to visitors who are accompanied by a park ranger or an authorized Navajo guide. There is no fee to enter the canyon except for any charges imposed by tour guides. However, there are two drives, the North Rime Drive and the South Rim Drive, at the canyon that provide lookout points for visitors to see the many different rock formations and ruins that lie within the canyon.
Unique among National Park Service areas, it consists entirely of Navajo Tribal Trust Land and remains in the ownership of the Navajo Nation. It is the home to the canyon community but park matters are administered by the National Park Service.
Access to the canyon floor is restricted to visitors who are accompanied by a park ranger or an authorized Navajo guide. There is no fee to enter the canyon except for any charges imposed by tour guides. However, there are two drives, the North Rime Drive and the South Rim Drive, at the canyon that provide lookout points for visitors to see the many different rock formations and ruins that lie within the canyon.
Welcome to Canyon de Chelly National Monument!
View from the North Rim Drive.
Another North Rim view.
White House ruins from the South Rim Drive.
The White House ruins and out lying buildings.
A small cave cut in the sandstone.
Spider Rock seen from the North Rim Drive.
Spider Rock.
Face Rock.
Another view across the canyon.
At the rim, just before heading into the canyon.
The canyon floor seen through the cliffs.
Sliding House from the overlook.
Some unique formations in the sandstone.
A broader view of the canyon.
More unique formations in the sandstone.