Canyon de Chelly National Monument

About

Canyon de Chelly National Monument sits in the heart of the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona, protecting nearly 84,000 acres of dramatic sandstone canyons, ancient cliff dwellings, and a living cultural landscape. Unlike most national parks, Navajo families still live, farm, and graze livestock within the canyon, making this a place where history and daily life exist side by side.

The monument features two main scenic drives. The South Rim Drive stretches about 16 miles and includes overlooks like White House, Junction, and the iconic Spider Rock Overlook, where a stunning 800-foot sandstone spire rises from the canyon floor. The North Rim Drive runs about 17 miles and offers views from Antelope House, Mummy Cave, and other overlooks. Both drives are paved and lead to parking areas with short walks to canyon rim viewpoints.

Visitors can explore the canyon floor with an authorized Navajo guide. Guided tours range from hiking and horseback riding to open-air vehicle tours that travel along the sandy canyon bottom, passing beneath towering red walls and ancient ruins tucked into alcoves hundreds of feet above. The only trail visitors may hike without a guide is the White House Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip that descends 600 feet to the canyon floor and the White House Ruin.

The Welcome Center near the town of Chinle is a great first stop, with exhibits on Navajo history, geology, and the cultural significance of the canyon. Rangers and Navajo guides can help you plan your visit based on your interests and abilities.

Canyon de Chelly is open year-round, though weather varies significantly by season. Summer brings warm temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms. Winter can be cold with occasional snow, which creates striking contrasts against the red rock. Spring and fall tend to offer the most comfortable conditions for visiting.

There is no entrance fee, which makes this one of the most accessible major monuments in the national park system from a cost standpoint as well.

Accessibility

The South Rim Drive is particularly well-suited for visitors with mobility challenges. Several overlooks along this route are wheelchair accessible, allowing visitors to enjoy sweeping canyon views from paved or hardened surfaces. The Welcome Center is accessible and includes exhibits and information about guided tour options.

Both the South Rim and North Rim drives are paved roads that can be driven in a standard vehicle, so visitors who have difficulty walking long distances can still experience many canyon views from or near their vehicles. Parking areas at overlooks vary in size and surface condition.

The White House Trail, the only self-guided hiking trail, involves a steep 600-foot descent with switchbacks and uneven terrain. It is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for visitors with mobility limitations.

For canyon floor access, some authorized Navajo guide services offer vehicle-based tours that may accommodate visitors with limited mobility. Contact individual tour operators in advance to discuss specific needs and vehicle accessibility.

Accessible restrooms are available at the Welcome Center. Restroom facilities at overlooks along the rim drives may be limited or seasonal.

Service animals are welcome throughout the monument. The canyon environment includes sandy terrain, uneven ground, and exposure to sun and wind, so plan accordingly.

Contact Canyon de Chelly National Monument at (928) 674-5500 or visit the official National Park Service website for current accessibility details, including specific overlook conditions and guided tour accommodations.

More accessible places in Arizona

• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson)
• Children's Museum of Phoenix (Phoenix)
• Heard Museum (Phoenix)
• Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix)
• Slide Rock State Park (Sedona)
• Lowell Observatory (Flagstaff)

Photo credits

• Ancient cliff dwellings carved into red sandstone canyon walls at Canyon de Chelly National Monument: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Dramatic canyon views and Native American cultural sites preserved at Canyon de Chelly: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Historic Navajo homeland with towering canyon spires and archaeological sites at Canyon de Chelly: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona - main view of this popular destination: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (2): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (3): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)