Canyon de Chelly

A sacred Navajo canyon featuring dramatic red sandstone walls, ancient cliff dwellings, and the picturesque White House Ruins accessible by hiking trail. The canyon blends natural beauty with deep cultural significance and archaeological importance to the Navajo Nation.

Things to do

• White House Ruins Trail — Hike the only self-guided trail in the canyon descending 600 feet to visit ancestral Puebloan dwellings dating back 700 years.
• Rim Drive — Drive the scenic North and South Rim roads offering multiple pullouts with sweeping views of the red sandstone walls and canyon floor.
• Guided Canyon Tours — Join a Navajo guide for vehicle or horseback tours into the canyon to access archaeological sites and learn traditional stories not available on public trails.
• Antelope House Ruin — View this multi-story pueblo dwelling from the rim, recognizable by the distinctive antelope petroglyph paintings on the nearby cliff face.
• Mummy Cave Overlook — Observe this three-story ancestral dwelling nestled in a natural alcove, accessible from the North Rim with interpretive signage.
• Spider Rock — Hike to viewpoints overlooking this 800-foot sandstone spire at the canyon's confluence, a sacred site in Navajo creation mythology.

Food to try

• Navajo Mutton Stew — A traditional slow-cooked dish featuring lamb or mutton with potatoes, onions, and Navajo chiles served at the visitor center café and local restaurants.
• Frybread — Deep-fried dough served plain or topped with honey, powdered sugar, or savory ingredients like beans and cheese, a staple at canyon eateries.
• Blue Corn Mush — A traditional Navajo breakfast or side dish made from blue cornmeal, often served with mutton or beans.
• Navajo Tacos — Frybread topped with seasoned ground beef, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and salsa, commonly found at food stands and visitor facilities.
• Piñon Nuts and Local Honey — Regional delicacies sold by Navajo vendors along the rim, reflecting the canyon's natural resources and traditional gathering practices.

Local customs & good to know

• Obtain Permission for Photography — Always ask Navajo guides and residents before photographing people, ceremonies, or sacred sites, as some areas restrict photography entirely.
• Respect Sacred Sites — Treat all ruins and natural formations with reverence; stay on designated trails and do not remove artifacts or disturb rock art.
• Hire Navajo Guides for Deep Access — Many archaeological sites and cultural areas require Navajo Nation guides who provide authentic context and ensure respectful visitation of living cultural lands.
• Learn Basic Navajo Greetings — A simple 'Ya'at'eeh' (hello) and respectful acknowledgment of Navajo sovereignty demonstrates cultural awareness and appreciation to local residents.