Canyon de Chelly — Navajo. This awesome photo was taken in 1904. Seven riders on horseback and dog trek against background of canyon cliffs. It wasn’t until 1931 when President Hoover authorized the area as a national monument to preserve the important archeological resources that span more than 4,000 years of human occupation. The monument encompasses approximately 84,000 acres of lands located entirely on the Navajo Nation with roughly 40 families residing within the park boundaries. Photo #1 by Edward S. Curtis
Canyon de Chelly 1873 — more than 130 years later, nature retains her beauty and land looks very nearly the same. Photo #2 by Timothy H. O’Sullivan, War Dept., Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army
Canyon de Chelly, 1941, panorama of valley from mountain. Photo #3 by Ansel Adams; Produced on behalf of the National Park Service
Heaven aka Navajo Nation – Canyon de Chelly. Photo #4 by Wolfgang Staudt
Sunrise at Canyon de Chelly viewpoint Arizona. The monument covers 131 square miles and encompasses the floors and rims of the three major canyons: de Chelly, del Muerto, and Monument. These canyons were cut by streams with headwaters in the Chuska mountains just to the east of the monument. This collection of images is a tribute to de Chelly and part one of our tribute to the Navajo Nation. Photo #5 by Jono Hey
In Canyon de Chelly National Monument which was established in 1931 as a unit of the National Park Service. It is located in northeastern Arizona within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. It preserves ruins of the early indigenous tribes that lived in the area, including the Ancient Pueblo Peoples, called Anasazi, and Navajo. Photo #6 by Marc Tarlock
Spider Rock Canyon de Chelly Arizona. Not only are there incredible houses built into gigantic sandstone cliffs, but also features like Spider Rock in a giant split in the canyon. Photo #7 by Jono Hey
Canyon de Chelly is unique among National Park service units, as it consists entirely of Navajo Tribal Trust Land that remains home to the canyon community. Access to the canyon floor is restricted, and visitors are allowed to travel in the canyons only when accompanied by a park ranger or an authorized Navajo guide. There are several well-preserved cliff dwelling sites that were occupied by the ancient peoples who lived in the canyon. Most can only be seen up close if you arrange for one of the jeep tours through the canyon floor. Photo #8 by Michael Seljos
White House ruins in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. One of the hiking trails is White House Ruin Trail. It’s 1.25 miles one way and drops down 600 ft. The hike takes approximately 2 hours. Photo #9 by Cacophony
Sunrise and cottonwoods at Canyon de Chelly Arizona. Before the rocks turn red, a line of cottonwoods in the canyon is the only color in the ground. Just above the trees, if you look carefully, you can see the set of houses beneath the giant weeping cliff. Photo #10 by Jono Hey
Canyon de Chelly sustains a living community of Navajo people, who are connected to a landscape of great historical and spiritual significance. Photo #11 by Wolfgang Staudt
White House Ruin in Canyon de Chelly. Photo #12 by RK & Tina
To view, visit Canyon de Chelly National Monument there are several views by driving. North Rim Drive is 18 miles and takes approximately 2 hours. There are 3 overlooks and this drive is best in the morning for photography. South Rim Drive is 16 miles with 7 overlooks. This drive is best for afternoon photography. The drive time is estimated at about 2 hours. Then there are hiking tours, canyon tours and campgrounds. Photo #13 by Gary M. Stolz – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
View East from Spider Rock Overlook. Photo #14 by RK & Tina
Navajo dwellings at Canyon de Chelly Arizona. Photo #15 by Jono Hey
South Rim at Canyon de Chelly National Monument AZ. Photo #16 by Paolo Rosa
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona – Antelope House. Photo #17 by Andreas F. Borchert
Some views from the rim of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Arizona. If you plan to hike, bring your own water and plan to haul out your trash. Like my mom says, it’s important to leave no trail when hiking or hacking. 😉 Seriously, who would want to ruin such beauty by leaving behind their trash? Photo #18 by mark byzewski
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA, View from White House Overlook to northeast. Photo #19 by Greg Peterson of Negaunee, MI
Reflecting one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America, Canyon de Chelly sustains a living community of Navajo people, who are connected to a landscape of great historical and spiritual significance. Photo #20 by Jim Lawrence
Rock art panel near the entrance to the canyon or Tseyi’. Photo #21 by National Park Service
White House Ruins, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, AZ. Ancient Anasazi ruins in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Note the large petroglyph on the cliff below and to the right of the two white towers. Photo #22 by Les Kopel
Looking into Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly. Photo #23 by Greg Peterson of Negaunee, MI
Deep Twilight – Canyon del Muerto at dusk, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. Photo #24 by RK & Tina
Canyon de Chelly Petroglyphs – People on Horseback. There are nearly countless pictographs which are painting on the rocks and petroglyphs with are pecking on the rocks at Canyon de Chelly. This ancient rock art goes back thousands of years to record the history and culture here. Photo #25 by Andreas F. Borchert
Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Photo #26 by Cacophony
Navajo dwellings at Canyon de Chelly Arizona. The Ancient Puebloans found the canyons an ideal place to plant crops and raise families. The first settlers built pit houses that were then replaced with more sophisticated homes as more families migrated to the area. More homes were built in alcoves to take advantage of the sunlight and natural protection. People thrived until the mid-1300’s when the Puebloans left the canyons to seek better farmlands. Photo #27 by Jono Hey
Canyon de Chelly National Monument – view of Petroglyph Rock. Photo #28 by National Park Service
White House Ruins in Canyon de Chelly near Chinle, Arizona were built about 1200 by the Anasazi, a Navajo word meaning the Ancient One. Descendants of the Puebloans, the Hopi migrated into the canyons to plant fields of corn and orchards of peaches. The Hopi permanently settled on the mesa tops. The Navajo settled the Southwest between the four sacred mountains. The Navajo, or Dine’ as they call themselves, continue to raise families and plant crops just as the “Ancient Ones†had. The farms, livestock and hogans of the Dine’ are visible from the canyon rims. Photo #29 by Greg Peterson of Negaunee, MI
Cottonwood Canyon – Canyon de Chelly Monument. Photo #30 by National Park Service
Close view of the ledge and ruins at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. Another hiking trail is Three Turkey Ruins where most of the original structure is still intact. It gets its name by the rock art of three turkeys visible on the upper room wall – slightly to the left of the door. Photo #31 by Andreas F. Borchert
Canyon de Chelly National Monument – view from the head of Cotton wood canyon. Photo #32 by National Park Service
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA. Rock art panel near Antelope House, showing pronghorn and other animals. Photo #33 by National Park Service
Spider Rock (left) and Face Rock (right). Photo #34 by National Park Service
80-yr-old grandma overlooking Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. Photo #35 by Michael Seljos
Spider Rock, about 250 meters high. Canyon de Chelly is one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America, located nearby the Navajo village of Chinle in Arizona. Photo #36 by vtveen
Tunnel Canyon at Canyon de Chelly. Photo #37 by National Park Service
Canyon de Chelly National Monument — Landscape, view of Sliding House area. Photo #38 by National Park Service
Look at the middle of this photo and then slightly right. In the shadows, you can just make out dwellings in the cliff walls. This is a Mummy Cave Landscape – Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Photo #39 by National Park Service
Canyon de Chelly – view from Tsegi overlook. Photo #40 by National Park Service
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA. Rock art panel near Antelope House. Photo #41 by National Park Service
Horses drinking from the wash in Canyon de Chelly. Photo #42 by Sharon Sperry Bloom
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona – White House Ruins. Photo #43 by National Park Service
Canyon de Chelly First Ruin – First ruin, i.e. westmost ruin within the canyon. Photo #44 by Andreas F. Borchert
Canyon de Chelly Junction Ruin. Did you know that the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department is one of the oldest programs in the Navajo Nation government? It was established in 1964 and is charged with the responsibility to the the Navajo Nation’s primary caretaker of special lands set aside for preservation. It’s mission is to wisely manage Navajo parks, monuments and recreation areas for the long-term benefit of the Navajo people and government. The Navajo Nation is comprised of essentially private lands, therefore all non-Navajo visitors must abide by and comply with the laws, regulations and policies promulgated by the Navajo Nation government, including those governing Navajo parks, monuments and recreation areas. Photo #45 by Andreas F. Borchert
Water falling and cliff dwelling at Canyon de Chelly. Photo #46 by National Park Service
View near Beehive Cave. Photo #47 by National Park Service
Petroglyphs – Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA. Photo #48 by National Park Service
USA, Arizona, Canyon De Chelly, SpiderRock. Photo #49 by www.Gernot-Keller.com
Canyon de Chelly National Park – view of canyon mouth. Photo #50 by National Park Service
Wow, this is so awesome, your photos knocked me out, what a paridse on one side, and hard living on another side. However, wide open spaces for the Natives to enjoy their life in the best way they know how. Thank you for sharing this, I am a Lakota girl, Little Bear
Cherokee here, and wow, I agree. These pics knocked me out too!
Thank you for sharing this phenomenal collection of photographs. It is truly one of the most beautiful and spiritual places on earth. The Navajo Nation is a place of great beauty and it’s not hard to imagine why the Dine struggled so hard to return to their lands, but Canyon de Chelly seems to me the most special place of all.
[…] is part two in an ongoing tribute to the Navajo Nation. (Canyon de Chelly National Monument was part one). [46 Fantastic […]
I just finished a great, great classic by Willa Cather “Death Comes for the Archbishop”. The last chapter is a moving description of the Navaho tragedy and final triumphant reclamation of their native lands. Cather celebrates the Dine and describes the spiritual significance of this mysterious canyon. – Magnificent photo tribute. Thank you so much!
I was told by a Mormon (LDS) Man that there were no horses in the Americas prior to the Spanish arriving here; they brought the first horse. There is no fossil record 0f horses. The Book of Mormon claims that the first arrivals here came by sea from the Middle East. They found horses here, domesticated them and fought great battles on horseback. Mormon art depicts these scenes, showing horses, but their source is the Book of Mormon. To me, this casts grave doubt on the veracity of the Book Of Mormon.
But, my real point is, Indian rock art depicting horses is not of ancient origin–it’s phony and should be labeled as such by the modern Indians that oversee these sites. But please, don’t take my word for it; research what I’ve said here with the scientific community, not religious organizations. This holy land needs no phoniness in it.
I doubt that any “Mormon Man” would tell you that there were no horses in the America’s prior to the Spanish arriving; especially since the Book Of Mormon clearly state that there were horses brought over by the earliest of settlers from the Mediterranean Middle East.
And, it is sort of a conflict of terms to want to “…research what I’ve said with the ‘scientific community’, not religious organizations…” since this IS a Sacred Holy Land, and anything “religious” is usually immediately discounted by the ‘scientific community’.
Most of what is written in the Book of Mormon, is an accounting of the earliest of colonizers that fled the Mediterranean Middle East and settled in these continents and is being born out in comparing what is written there and what is being discovered here now.
But, let’s not get into a bickering or a nay-saying contest here. Let’s celebrate the beauty of a special land for our original Americans! Shirley, YOU are correct!
re John Hepburn’s claim that “Indian rock art depicting horses” is phony and should be labeled as such. I don’t recall anyone saying that ALL the pictographs and petroglyphs were made by the Anasazi. In fact I have seen articles explaining how you can tell the difference between those done by the Anasazi and those done by later artists, such as the Navajo. Why aren’t the Navajo’s experiences in the canyon just as valid subjects for recording as those of earlier people? The 1805 Narbona panel of the Spanish soldiers is an excellent example of that. Their expedition led to the massacre of many Navajo. I don’t hear anyone objecting to “Massacre Cave” because it isn’t an ancient happening. History is an ongoing thing and should be recorded in many ways – through the written word, through paintings and photographs, and yes, even through rock art.
did anyone else notice a swastika behind the white house ruin? Why is that there???
but, seriously stunning pictures!
I don’t know why the swastika is there. It ruins the scenery. Maybe someone from Germany carved it there. Shame on them!
Parv,
Swatkikas are common symbols of many cutures from around the world and across time.
Can’t agree more on the beautiful pictures. However, I can tell you from experience, the pictures do not do it justice, compared with the experience of seeing it first hand. It is overwhelming. Everyone I know who has been to both the Grand Canyon and Canyon de Chelly will tell you, the Grand Canyon is big, but for beauty, it pales in comparison to Canyon de Chelly.
Sorry for the spelling error, I do that a lot! 🙂
The pictures knocked us out!! We are doing a play about Spiderwoman, and Spiderman. It was nice to see the pictures that showed us spider rock. Thank you!!
[…] to dance, to sing, and to honor culture and a rich heritage. Since we’ve done a trio of Navajo Nation tributes, we thought a Thanksgiving Pow Wow might be a cool way to celebrate. Photo #1 ‘The […]
To preserve this beautiful area, that has been the grounds of many people, is one of the greatest things done by this nation. The test of time proves that man can survive just about anywhere, for many, many years.
really nice quality pictures, it is really a beautiful place that God has created for our enjoyment. i have been thru some of the areas like seen in pictures and it is something
to view and to be there in person is even better. thank God for what He has given us and
thank those who took these pictures.
Thank you for the memories of my hike into the Canyon to see the White House. The views here from the rim are fantastic. Also remember Carol Draper the Navajo jewelry manufacturer we met on the rim. Truly beautiful country!
Thank you for sharing wonderful pictures. Great photography and glad to see the valley is preserve.
Amazing!!
I can only agree with everyone these photos left me breathless such beauty in such arid country who would believe it ; thank you for posting them …. I would also agree that swastika should be removed. Regards John
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Thank you for posting these pics. They are beautiful.
Isn’t sandstone what’s left over after there was a body of water there, in ancient history ?
Does that mean that this was originally under water, in prehistorical times ?
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I have been on a photo tour to Canyon de Chelly, and I can tell you that you become like a kid in a candy store.:-) I hope at some date to go back and really take my time and capture the majesty of this incredible place. Many thanks to the Navajo “Dine” nation for making it possible to photograph this amazing and peaceful place.