Navajo Nation & Canyon de Chelly, Northwest Arizona

[Every Miles A Memory]

My wife and I have been in Northeast Arizona, on a Navajo Reservation for the past week. There are some Anasazi Cliff Dwellings hidden in Canyon de Chelly which just amaze us. These ancient structures are beautiful to photograph for their age and beauty and it seems we could stay here for a few weeks longer, but cold weather is on its way, so we have headed south already.

There is a campground, Cottonwood Campground right outside the Canyon, that is free. Granted it doesnt have any hook-ups, but does have a dump station, a community water supply, and restrooms. We are set up for boondocking with an array of solar panels, so it was perfect for us. Free is always the best kind of campgrounds!!


Aerial View of Mummy Cave which is one of the largest, best preserved cliff dwellings in the Canyon


White House Ruins is able to be hiked to and is the only ruin you don't need a Navajo guide while in the National Monument.


Another shot of White House Ruin with a cotton wood in fall color


Most of the ruins have some perfectly preserved petroglyphs


The cliff walls are painted magnificently and act as a beautiful backdrop for photography.

If you hire a Navajo guide, and have a capable 4x4, you can drive down into the canyon. It is well worth it and the best way to get close-up shots of most of the ruins. It is also very rough on the truck. Plan on crossing the stream in a few dozen places sometimes up to the bottom of your doors.

Full Gallery can be seen Here




Pat

[Every Miles A Memory]

My wife and I have been in Northeast Arizona, on a Navajo Reservation for the past week. There are some Anasazi Cliff Dwellings hidden in Canyon de Chelly which just amaze us. These ancient structures are beautiful to photograph for their age and beauty and it seems we could stay here for a few weeks longer, but cold weather is on its way, so we have headed south already.

There is a campground, Cottonwood Campground right outside the Canyon, that is free. Granted it doesnt have any hook-ups, but does have a dump station, a community water supply, and restrooms. We are set up for boondocking with an array of solar panels, so it was perfect for us. Free is always the best kind of campgrounds!!


Aerial View of Mummy Cave which is one of the largest, best preserved cliff dwellings in the Canyon


White House Ruins is able to be hiked to and is the only ruin you don't need a Navajo guide while in the National Monument.


Another shot of White House Ruin with a cotton wood in fall color


Most of the ruins have some perfectly preserved petroglyphs


The cliff walls are painted magnificently and act as a beautiful backdrop for photography.

If you hire a Navajo guide, and have a capable 4x4, you can drive down into the canyon. It is well worth it and the best way to get close-up shots of most of the ruins. It is also very rough on the truck. Plan on crossing the stream in a few dozen places sometimes up to the bottom of your doors.

Full Gallery can be seen Here




Pat

[bsavage]

Wow, gorgeous photos, thank you for sharing! Looks like it was a fabulous stay, and it's always good to know about a free park! Beautiful!

Brenda, of...

[smlranger]

Great photos. We traveled through Monument Valley two years ago and were absolutely taken with the mysterious beauty of that part of Utah/Arizona. We would love to come back to that area and spend more time seeing more.

[MonacoMama]

Great shots!! Those photos bring back some great memories of when we were back there in Oct <STRIKE>1989</STRIKE> (Sacs pointed out to me it was 1988! )...I think... We have always recommmended that anyone in that area make it to Canyon de Chelly!
We did not have a 4wd and did NOT take the cattle-call drive in the group truck.. but we DID hike down...
..there is so much history all over the USA.. and this just happens to be a piece of American Indian History... if you are in the area.. I also highly recommend it!

[Every Miles A Memory]

If anyone does go, I dont know if I would recommend the Shake & Bake routine of hiring a driver to take you in. I would only go in your own 4x4.

We passed one that was just flying through the canyon, and when I asked our guide why they go so fast, she said "Why do you think we call them Shake & Bakes?"

THanks for the kudos on the photos

[Nonno]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Sure beats the view I have from my MH. That is the one from a MH winterized and sitting behind the garage waiting for Spring.

[bsavage]

Nice website, every miles! I particularly like the funny signs pictures. When I get a chance, I'll send you one to add to your collection.

Brenda, of...

[Wallaby Dan]

Went there at the end of October I think it was really pretty there.

[Every Miles A Memory]

Hey Brenda, thanks for thinking of us. Please send us any cool or unusual signs you have. We're always on the look out for them.

Capt. Dan, we must have just missed each other because we were there right around the same time.

Sure is pretty country!

Pat