Chinle

Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly

The canyon is spectacular - very similar to the Grand Canyon without all the strata and on a smaller scale. Its two main gorges - Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto - have sandstone walls, some as high as 1,100 feet. The canyon begins at Chinle, where the walls are only 30 feet high. The floor of the canyon is very wide and the Navajo farm and ranch at the base of the cliffs. There is a dirt road leading into the canyon. Only tours with Navajo guides are allowed into Canyon de Chelly. There seemed to be a stream bed, but it was dry and it looked to be dry for quite some time. The Indians grow vegetables, peaches and graze sheep below ancient cliff dwellings once inhabited by the Hopi, Anasazi and Navajo. There are drives along the north and sound rim of the canyons.

Links:
Canyon de Chelly National Monument (pronounced Canyon da shay)

TO SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS & LEARN MORE:
Read our postcard from Canyon de Chelly