Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Like other sites on Navajo Nation lands (like Monument Valley), visitors are expected to join a guided tour group in order to see most of the parks sights. The only part of the canyon you can see on your own is the White House Ruins trail that leads around the canyon rim. There is a road for a scenic drive along the rim as well, though walking would give you a better experience.

Besides the steep exposed walls of the canyon itself, the main feature you'll want to see is the Spider Rock. It stands 800 feet high, straight up from the canyon floor like a pillar of sandstone. You can see it from the rim trail, or get up close with a canyon floor trek.

Aside from the natural splendor of the canyon, there are some man-made here as well. There are ruins of Anasazi cliff-buildings, much like those found at Mesa Verde National Park. Ancient rock carvings and petroglyphs are also found along the tour routes. Again, see these up close to really appreciate the fantastic history behind them.

More recent historical events took place in the canyon, particularly in the 1860s when early Americans seemed to be in constant conflict with the local Navajo tribes. Not only was the canyon inhabited thousands of years ago by the Anasazi Pueblo people, there is still a living community of Navajo living in the canyon park area today, making this a continuously inhabited canyon.

Quick Facts:
-- There are actually 3 canyons in the park: Canyon del Muerto, Monument Canyon and Canyon de Chelly.
-- Tradition says that Grandmother Spider, who created the world, lives at the top of Spider Rock.