Canyon de Chelly is located in
northeastern Arizona within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. The National
Monument was established on April 1, 1931 as a unit of the National Park
Service. The name Chelly is a Spanish borrowing of the Navajo word Tséyiʼ,
which means "Canyon". Canyon de Chelly is one of the longest continuously
inhabited landscapes of North America, because it preserves ruins of the early
indigenous tribes that lived in the area, including the Ancient Pueblo Peoples
and Navajo. The monument covers 83,840 acres and encompasses the floors and
rims of the three major canyons: de Chelly, del Muerto, and Monument.
These canyons were cut by streams
with headwaters in the Chuska Mountains just to the east of the monument. None
of the land is federally owned. In 2009 Canyon de Chelly National Monument was
recognized as one of the most-visited national monuments in the United States. This
is somewhat little-known canyon is not as immediately remarkable as others in
Arizona or Utah but it does have sheer sandstone walls rising up to 1,000 feet,
quite a few scenic overlooks and many well-preserved Anasazi ruins, and the
area offers a captivating insight into the present day life of the Navajo, who
still inhabit and cultivate the valley floor.
Canyon de Chelly long served as a
home for Navajo people before it was invaded by forces led by future New Mexico
governor Lt. Antonio Narbona in 1805. In 1863 Col. Kit Carson sent troops to
either end of the canyon to defeat the Navajo population within. The resulting
devastation led to the surrender of the Navajos and their removal to Bosque
Redondo, New Mexico. Canyon de Chelly is entirely owned by the Navajo Tribal
Trust of the Navajo Nation. It is the only National Park Service unit that is
owned and cooperatively managed in this manner.
Nearly 40 Navajo families live in
the park. Access to the canyon floor is restricted, and visitors are allowed to
travel in the canyons only when accompanied by a park ranger or an authorized
Navajo guide. The only exception to this rule is the White House Ruin Trail. The
beautiful and spiritual Canyon de Chelly has long history with its magnificent
and ancient cliff dwellings and mysterious pictograph and petroglyphs. Here you
can have plenty of opportunities for photo stops and conversations with knowledgeable
Navajo guide.
The most of park visitors comes
by automobile and view the Canyon de Chelly from the rim, following both North
Rim Drive and South Rim Drive. Moreover; ancient ruins and geologic structures
are visible, but in the distance, from turnoffs on each of these routes. Deep
within the park is Mummy Cave. It features structures that have been built at numerous
times in history. The national monument has a well-stocked visitor center, nearby
an excellent campsite (Cottonwood Campground) with basic facilities, however no
showers and plenty of sites, nestled beneath large cottonwood trees and at
lodgings in the vicinity of the canyon. There is no fee to enter the canyon,
apart from any charges imposed by tour guides.
Lodgings for visitors are located
in the vicinity of the canyon, on the road leading to Chinle, which is the adjacent
town. The National Monument was listed on the National Register of Historic
Places on August 25, 1970. The unique geologic feature of park is, Spider Rock,
is a sandstone spire that rises 750 feet from the canyon floor at the junction
of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon. Spider Rock can be seen from South Rim
Drive. It has shown in the number of television commercials.
According to traditional Navajo
beliefs the taller of the two spires is the home of Spider Grandmother. If you
have some time to explore, don’t miss the well-preserved Puebloan ruins nestled
in the 1,000-foot-tall rock walls, accessible only via guided tour. With your
guide, you can drive through the Chinle Wash to view the scattered settlements
and ancient ruins of the canyon. At the end of the South Rim Drive, you will
come to the popular overlook of Spider Rock. Despite the fact most hiking
requires an authorized Navajo guide.
