Canyon de Chelly | Ancient cliff dwellings and Navajo history in a jewel of the Southwest

Canyon de Chelly is a dramatic sandstone gorge in northeastern Arizona renowned for cliff dwellings and ongoing Navajo culture. Visitors can drive designated rim routes, explore short canyon crossings, and visit ancient petroglyphs and Ancestral Pueblo ruins. Access is via Navajo Nation permission and park service services.

Learn More

Geography

Address	Canyon de Chelly, NE Arizona, USACanyon de Chelly National Monument
Continent	North America
Region	Southwest United States
Subregion	Great Basin
Country	United States
State	Arizona
County	Apache County
District	Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Timezone	AmericaPhoenix
Latitude	36.138
Longitude	-109.477
Maps	Google Maps Apple Maps

12:53 PM LOCAL TIME

Canyon de Chelly is a 150-mile-long sandstone canyon in northeastern Arizona that has been continuously inhabited for over a millennium. The park is known for fadding red sandstone walls, cliff dwellings such as those at Sherlock Castle, and petroglyphs carved into exposed rock panels. While private Navajo access restrictions limit some areas, designated rim routes and guided tours allow visitors to see key overlooks and interpretive sites. The canyon floor remains a living landscape, and visitors should respect Navajo guidelines and the fragile archeological remains. Best visits balance drives along rim roads, short canyon hikes, and cultural appreciation through visitor centers and local guides.

All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Sun Dec 14, 2025, 2:46 AM