Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Lying completely within the tribal
lands of the Navajo Nation, Canyon de
Chelly National Monument is unique among all sites administered by the
National Park Service. And while it may be one of the least recognized
monuments by name, it may also be one of the most beautiful.
Manganese Stained Walls of Canyon de Chelly
Access to the park is completely free as is use of the campground, which, although conveniently located to the park entrance, was not one of our favorites due to its proximity to the waste disposal center. Nevertheless, it was perfectly sufficient. Because the monument is located entirely within reservation land, public access to the National Monument is limited to the paved roads and scenic overlooks. There is one public trail leading to the White House Ruins on the Canyon floor. Wandering off the roads or trail is prohibited and any canyon floor access requires the services of a Navajo guide.
The visitor center and posted signs around Canyon de Chelly document the history of the Navajos and their struggles to remain on this piece of sacred ground in graphic detail. The spectacular tranquility of the canyon make is difficult to imagine gory struggles on the site. However, the peaceful beauty enables one to understand how a people could be so connected to a place. We were fortunate enough to be at the Canyon during the most recent full moon and were simply awestruck by the fiery sunset and enormous moonrise.
Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly
Sunset…
Full Moon Rising
The canyon walls vary in height from 30 to approximately 1000 feet along the length of the Canyon. And while these dimensions may not compete with another larger canyon in the region, Canyon de Chelly distinguishes itself with the diversity of the canyon floor. Narrow curves and winding rivers give way to wide, fertile fields. Today forty Navajo families still farm the canyon floor and live between its walls, among the ruins of their ancestors.
Navajo Farming on the Canyon Floor
Ruins in the Canyon
Canyon de Chelly from a South Rim Overlook
Manganese Stained Walls of Canyon de Chelly
Access to the park is completely free as is use of the campground, which, although conveniently located to the park entrance, was not one of our favorites due to its proximity to the waste disposal center. Nevertheless, it was perfectly sufficient. Because the monument is located entirely within reservation land, public access to the National Monument is limited to the paved roads and scenic overlooks. There is one public trail leading to the White House Ruins on the Canyon floor. Wandering off the roads or trail is prohibited and any canyon floor access requires the services of a Navajo guide.
The visitor center and posted signs around Canyon de Chelly document the history of the Navajos and their struggles to remain on this piece of sacred ground in graphic detail. The spectacular tranquility of the canyon make is difficult to imagine gory struggles on the site. However, the peaceful beauty enables one to understand how a people could be so connected to a place. We were fortunate enough to be at the Canyon during the most recent full moon and were simply awestruck by the fiery sunset and enormous moonrise.
Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly
Sunset…
Full Moon Rising
The canyon walls vary in height from 30 to approximately 1000 feet along the length of the Canyon. And while these dimensions may not compete with another larger canyon in the region, Canyon de Chelly distinguishes itself with the diversity of the canyon floor. Narrow curves and winding rivers give way to wide, fertile fields. Today forty Navajo families still farm the canyon floor and live between its walls, among the ruins of their ancestors.
Navajo Farming on the Canyon Floor
Ruins in the Canyon
Canyon de Chelly from a South Rim Overlook
Comments