National Monument

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Southwest

About Canyon de Chelly

This canyon is home to Diné families who raise livestock, grow crops and live here. People have lived in these canyons for nearly 5,000 years, which is longer than anyone has lived continuously on the Colorado Plateau. In this place called Tsegi, their homes and images tell us their stories. Today, the park and Navajo Nation work together to manage the rich cultural and natural resources.

From the National Park Service.

Region: Southwest
State: Arizona
Designation: National Monument
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Canyon de Chelly.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Rim Drives, North and South Rim Overlooks

Mon: Sunrise to Sunset
Tue: Sunrise to Sunset
Wed: Sunrise to Sunset
Thu: Sunrise to Sunset
Fri: Sunrise to Sunset
Sat: Sunrise to Sunset
Sun: Sunrise to Sunset

North Rim Drive, South Rim Drive, 9 overlooks open daily all year round. The Welcome Center is open daily from 8AM to 5PM and closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Welcome Center gates open and close daily with regular business hours. No entrance fee for park.

Weather and when to go

Canyon de Chelly's elevation is about 5,500 feet. Spring is cool and windy; highs from 50 to 70; lows of 35 degrees. Expect dust storms and canyon flooding. Summer is hot and dry; highs from 85 to 100; lows of 51 degrees. Drink plenty of water outdoors. Fall is warm and often wet; highs from 60 to 80; lows of 40 degrees. Expect lightning, thunderstorms, and flash floods. Winter is cold and breezy; highs from 40 to 60; lows of 18 degrees. Expect 1-4 inches of snow and freezing nighttime temperatures.

Getting there

Recommended route to park is taking Highway 191 from Chinle, AZ, then East on Route 7. Park entrance and Welcome Center is less than 3 miles from HWY 191. Alternative route to park is from the East via Route 64 from Tsaile, AZ. From Flagstaff, AZ, take I-40 East then Highway 191 North. From Gallup, NM, take Highway 264 West then Highway 191 North. From Kayenta, AZ, take Route 59 Southwest then Highway 191 South. DO NOT use Route 7 from Sawmill, AZ to Spider Rock turnoff (road is unpaved and unmaintained).

Directions from the National Park Service