The Amazing Desert Southwest: Canyon de Chelly

Spider Rock is an 800-ft spire seen at the last overlook on the South Rim Drive of Canyon de Chelly, Chinle AZ

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We recently made a wonderful one-week road trip through the Desert Southwest exploring some amazing landscapes including Canyon de Chelly ('shay') National Monument.  This was a prominent subject of famed photographer Ansel Adams and he certainly didn't let us down!  Here are some observations and tips from our time there.
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Location:  Chinle AZ

Max Depth:  1,000 feet (304 meters)

Key Features:

• Cliff dwellings, many of which are hundreds of feet above the canyon floor
• Dramatic 600-700 ft sheer rock cliffs
• 800-ft tall Spider Rock spire

Timing Consideration/Tip:  Visit the most dramatic points first rather than hitting each one in order.  This way you see the best before running out of time or becoming hungry or fatigued.  Here are the most dramatic points which tend to be the furthest from the entrance.

• North Rim Drive:  Massacre Cave and Mummy Cave
  • Deepest sections of the canyon
  • Up-close viewing of dwellings
  • Overlooks are on overhanging ledges
• South Rim Drive:  
  • Spider Rock (end of the drive) is an 800-ft rock tower shooting up from the canyon floor
  • White House Overlook
    • This section of the canyon provides diverse views including White House Ruins and other cliff dwellings
    • White House Trail (the only trail you may hike without a guide) starts here

Overall Timing:  6-8 hours, including a meal, or you may break it up as you like.

• North Rim Drive:  2 hours
• South Rim Drive:  2 hours
• White House Trail Hike:  2 hours

Viewing:  

• 2 Scenic Drives & 10 Overlooks - FREE
  • General Note:  The canyons are shallowest (least dramatic) near the Visitor Center and reach their greatest depths and drama the further east you go along each drive.
  • North Rim Drive
    • 3 overlooks
    • 34 miles roundtrip on Indian Route/IR-64, a two-lane highway with speed limits posted 45-55 MPH at the time we visited.  This is a through road so traffic moves as it is more than tourists.
  • South Rim Drive
    • 7 overlooks
    • 37 miles roundtrip on IR-7, a two-lane road that is only paved to the last (Spider Rock) overlook so traffic it mostly tourists taking their time and therefor much slower than getting to the North Rim Drive sites.
• Hike White House Trail - FREE
  • Distance:  2.5 miles roundtrip to the canyon floor and White House Ruins
  • Elevation Change:  600-ft steep descent/ascent down to and up from the canyon floor.  
  • Duration:  2 hours roundtrip
  • Access Note:  This is the only authorized self hike.  All other hikes into the canyon must accompanied by a park ranger or Navajo guide.
• Guided Tours by vehicle, horse or hike are available - FEE REQUIRED

Lodging:

• Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly
• Thunderbird Lodge
• Best Western Canyon de Chelly Inn

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Getting There

​Canyon de Chelly National Monument is located immediately east of Chinle AZ.  Drive times:

• Albuquerque NM Sunport (ABQ):  3:45
• ​Grand Canyon Village/South Rim:  3:50
• Grand Canyon North Rim:  5 hours
• Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX):  4:50