Hop In Your Car And Take The Incredible, 15-Mile Canyon de Chelly National Monument Scenic Drive In Arizona
You won’t always be in the mood for a long hike, so it’s nice when popular tourist destinations also offer a scenic driving option. Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Chinle boasts a 15-mile drive that showcases some of the most iconic natural features on its sacred lands. Since most of the park is inaccessible without a tour guide, this is a perfect way for the public to enjoy the splendorous views.
At just 15.5 miles, this scenic drive through one of Arizona's most iconic national monuments takes less than a half-hour to complete. It stops at all the major viewing points, so you get the entire Canyon de Chelly experience from the comfort of your vehicle.
A series of designated lookout points let you know exactly where to stop for the most breathtaking views. There's no guesswork involved -- all you have to do is enjoy the canyon in its vast, sprawling glory.
You'll even get to see Spider Rock, a nearly 800-foot tall spire that ascends from the canyon floor. It's easily the most noteworthy natural feature the park has to offer.
If you're just itching to hike, the 2.7-mile White House Ruins Trail is open to the public. It features an ancient canyon dwelling that dates back nearly a millennium, once comprised of a whopping ~80 rooms. All other trails require a Navajo tour guide.
Taking the drive at sunset offers perhaps the most striking views you'll see all day. As daylight slowly fades, the canyon is illuminated in an ethereal glow sure to leave you awestruck. Head back the next morning to check out the North Rim, where the lighting is best at dawn.
Winter hiking can be treacherous without proper equipment, so why not take in the snow-covered canyon vistas via car? More beautiful than a scene from a Hallmark movie, this winter wonderland begs for you to pull over often and take pictures.
Please note: Canyon de Chelly National Monument is currently closed due to COVID-19, but the Navajo Nation hopes to reopen it as soon as possible. Keep checking the website and Facebook page for the latest updates. Click here for the scenic drive AllTrails page.
Have you ever driven Canyon de Chelly National Monument Scenic Drive? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments. Check out our previous article for another bucket-list-worthy ride: Get Lost In The Arizona Mountains On This Former Wagon Trail.
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Address: Canyon de Chelly, Canyon De Chelly, Arizona 86503, USA
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Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
