Years ago, a few friends of mine, my wife and I visited Canyon De Chelly (Tsegi) and stayed at the Spider Rock Campground, hosted by Howard, who was a wonderful host. We planned to stay in our tents, but the nearby fires had created winds that were too much for our tents, so we instead stayed in the 2 hogans. The hogans actually provided a perfect place to stay and each morning we were greeted by a lovely cat that lived on the property. We hiked the White House Trail, visited Spider Rock and the next day took a day-long hike through the canyon, led by Benjamin, who was a great guide, sharing meaningful stories and telling us about the rich history of the land. It was truly a meaningful, learning experience that my friends and I will always cherish, and I would like to thank the many people that made those moments possible for us. Canyon De Chelly (Tsegi) may be less visited than other parks, but it is truly a treasure. Ahehee!
Sincerely,
Canyon De Chelly National Monument
Three and a half hours east of the world-famous Grand Canyon, a majestic but much lesser-known canyon offers a more solitary Southwestern experience on colorful lands entirely within the Navajo Nation. Drive along the north and south rims to enjoy incredible vistas, including a view of the park’s dramatic 800-foot monolith, Spider Rock. Hike the only public trail (two and a half miles round-trip) into the canyon to see the White House Ruin left by Ancestral Puebloans. Hire a Navajo guide to explore even more of the canyon’s geology and learn about the native people who continue to live and grow food in the canyon as their families have for generations.
State(s): Arizona
Established: 1931
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Greetings from Canyon De Chelly National Monument
When my son, Aaron, graduated from Montana State University in 2005, I asked him if he'd like an all-expense paid vacation to the Four Corners area as his reward for a job well done. It had been a 'bucket list' item of mine for many years and the time seemed…
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