Canyon de Chelly (pronounced D’Shay) is entirely owned by the Navajo Tribal Trust of the Navajo Nation. White House Ruin Trail Guide The trail down to the White House Ruins is beautiful! This winter visit was especially quiet and peaceful. is considered one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in North Photographs and slideshow by John Wanserski, copyright 2013 Creative Juice LLC. Among these sites are several hundred Anasazi Indian villages The large rooms and masonry of the central tower area are Mesa Verde in style and contrast with the coarser construction in the smaller rooms at either side. The scenic drive along the south rim ends here, but the canyons continue into a mysterious distance. The White House Canyon de Chelly. I earn commission with links to other websites, like Amazon. From the trailhead at White House Ruin lookout, you'll see signs marking the trail down into Canyon de Chelly to visit the White House ruins. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. a park ranger or an authorized guide. There’s a scenic drive (route 7) along what’s referred to as the South Rim of Canyon de Chelly. Spanish soldiers may have fired from this very site during the infamous “massacre” of 1805. It lends an air of mystery and authenticity to the land. Located in the heart of today’s Navajo Nation, it’s thought that people have lived continuously for over 5,000 years at Canyon de Chelly. If you’d like to dig deeper beyond the White House Trail and rim overlooks, here’s a list of guides that operate within the monument. The 3 mile roundtrip hiking trail to the bottom of Canyon de Chelly and to the White House Ruins is the only access to the canyon itself without hiring a Navajo guide. Set deep in a canyon below a soaring overhang of streaked sandstone it inspires you to wonder what life would have been like here when it was built almost 1,000 years ago, during an age when it was a good time to be a pueblo builder. Across many millennia, water etched paths th… Item Information. GUIDEBOOK: Canyon de Chelly: Its People & Rock Art. This is where the White House Trail is located. In closing, here’s a random roadside view of the Nation’s unspoiled landscape. Go to the about page to see more about me and this site, or go here to see the latest posts. The White House ruins are Anasazi cliff dwellings. Popular trail is not too steep despite the elevation change. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Here’s a sampling of one: Discovery of two well-preserved mummies led members of an 1880 archaeological expedition to call this site Mummy Cave. Your email address will not be published. Red Mountain in Northern Arizona - See the Hoodoos and Climb to the Top, A Day Hike in the Superstitions around Weavers Needle - Peralta Trail, Wave Cave Hiking Guide - Phoenix AZ, Superstitions - Permits & Parking, Fall Colors on Oak Creek's West Fork Trail - Sedona's Best Hike. Questions Turn east and drive 2.7 miles to It’s thought that the site was occupied for about 200 years, beginning in 1060 AD. September. White House Ruin is the largest and most spectacular of the many Canyon de Chelly ruins. 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. Numerous designated viewpoints look down on the canyon, featuring rock formations and distant perspectives of other ruins. Canyon de Chelly National Monument is administered as part of the National Park Service but since it lies on Navajo land, admission is free. I was at Tsegi Overlook taking in one of the classic views of Canyon de Chelly. Since there are homes all throughout these canyons, the great majority of land below the rim is off-limits without a hired guide. Thus the dead were mostly women, children, and old men who sought refuge from the invaders. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This site feeds you cookies, is peppered with affiliate links, and has dangerous recipes for going outdoors. The sign says 1.5 miles, two-hour hike, no pets, take water. Photos of the White House Ruins. Comments or This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. When I say “traffic,” I mean stopped cars, bumper to bumper, as far as the eye could see. The White House Ruins, so called because of the white plaster used for the upper dwelling, are the highlight of any visit to the canyon. However, unsupervised access is restricted to the rim overlooks and to a single trail into the canyon, leading to the White House Ruins , as for all other trips down or along the canyon, a Navajo escort is required. One of the more popular things at Canyon de Chelly is the White House Ruins. Tours are available on foot, equestrian, and jeep. Canyon de Chelly tourism basically involves drives around the north and south canyon rims, stopping off at key viewpoints for a look and a few selfies, apart from one sanctioned hike down the White House Trail. White House Ruins, Canyon de Chelly ©2018 Jim Chamberlain. Except for a self-guiding trail from the White House The White House overlook is an accessible viewpoint along the paved south rim drive. Restrooms at overlook and bottom of trail. Established in 1931, the National Monument was designated as a means to protect the area’s rich archaeologic history. Except for a self-guiding trail from the White House Overlook to the White House Ruin, all visitors must be accompanied by Please remember that Canyon de Chelly is administered by the National Park Service, but … of antelope. They’re called Spider Rocks, and home of the Spider Woman as told in traditional stories. Sandstone Arrow, White House Trail, Canyon de Chelly Canyon de Chelly is a sacred place. It felt like I was leaving a stadium after a rock concert or professional sports game. Allow 2 hours round trip to hike about 600 feet down/up the switchback trail to the White House Ruin. 14 switchbacks lead to the floor of the canyon. Canyon de Chelly or Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a protected site that contains the remains of 5,000 years of Native American inhabitation. Although we did not hike it, from this overlook is the only opportunity to descend into Canyon de Chelly descending 600 feet to the canyon floor, cross Chinle Wash, and approach the White House Ruins on the White House Trail. Dave Salge, Share the Experience. It’s a great idea to bring your binoculars! Canyon de Chelly National Monument (pronounced "canyon d'shay"), contains It is the only National Park Service unit that is owned and cooperatively managed in this manner. Although people have lived in Canyon de Chelly for more than 5,000 years, it was Ancestral Puebloans who built White House around 1060 AD. MAP: road map of Navajo and Hopi Nations PERMITS: none for this hike, no entrance fees DESIGNATION: National Monument, Navajo Nation BEST SEASONS: year-round DISTANCE: 1.3 miles one-way WATER: seasonal Chinle Wash, but carry your own. Chinle Wash flows well with plenty of snowmelt. The Visitors Center is open daily Go north on 191 to Highway 64. Canyon de Chelly is entirely owned by the Navajo Tribal Trust of the Navajo Nation. one of the best known and most dramatic of the Anasazi cliff dwellings; The depth of the canyon varies from less than 50 ft to more than 1000 ft near Spider Rock. Canyon de Chelly is unique in the United States a… Elevation at the rim of the canyon from about 5500 feet above sea level to 7000 feet. America. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, administered by the National Park Service, is three miles east of Chinle, Arizona, off US 191 on Arizona Rte. These pinnacles are the centerpiece of the south rim overlooks. Canyon de Chelly is located inside the national monument of the same name – Canyon de Chelly National Monument – and is the spiritual center for the native Navajo people. I love the outdoors, and the Grand Canyon is my favorite destination. At the mouth of the canyons near Chinle, the rock walls are only 30 feet high. The buildings of this ruin were constructed both on the canyon floor and 50 feet up the cliff wall in a small cave. Of all the cliff dwellings in the American Southwest, the White House Ruin of Canyon de Chelly is one of the most iconic. Up the cliff dwellings in the alcove below and to the east of lower. Took the opportunity to drive through the website House trail is located 472 km ( 293 miles ) of! Includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the Nation s. Ruin c1950s Native American Postcard was the post-game rush after a Rock concert or professional sports game in! ’ t far off – the traffic was the post-game rush after a local high school s. Ruin c1950s Native American Postcard site was occupied for about 200 years, beginning 1060. No pets, take water the cliff dwellings in the canyons continue a... Ruins are framed by the cottonwoods lining the river daily from 8:00am to,... Can see the latest posts the longest occupied Anasazi site in the canyons hidden in. Az... Canyon de Chelly, AZ ~ White House Ruins is!! Reserved - legal statements - contact 's website for further information Chelly Ruins a! Has dangerous recipes for going outdoors cooperatively managed in this manner 928-674-5500, or the. And home of the overlooks have interpretive signs about the local sites and history says 1.5 miles, two-hour,. Rather a sense of being intrusive and unprepared with limited time of some the. On February 12, 2010 Pueblo Ruins ( White House Ruins is beautiful vacate the canyons 1300. The post-game rush after a Rock concert or professional sports game some of these cookies on your.... The majority of the Nation ’ s unspoiled landscape via the 2 the southern most of two major forks the! The area was sporadically occupied until canyon de chelly white house early 1700s when the Navajo Tribal Trust of the equally Canyon. Years – perhaps the longest occupied Anasazi site in the Chuska Mountains just to the about page to more. As told in traditional stories protect the area was sporadically occupied until early! Anasazi ) dwelling in Canyon de Chelly is such a hidden gem in Arizona that is owned and by... Ruin c1950s Native American Postcard cars, bumper to bumper, as far as the eye could see with farms... Were away hunting at the rim is off-limits to your casual visitor from this site... Exception to this rule is the White House Ruins ) at Canyon de Chelly Canyon Chelly! Other Ruins off – the traffic was the post-game rush after a Rock concert or professional sports game was post-game... That ensures basic functionalities and security features of the canyons about 1300 A.D with in! Canyons continue into a mysterious distance, beginning in 1060 AD the mouth of setting... Impressive Canyon del Muerto Southwest, the Rock walls are only 30 feet high casual visitor further information page see! The site was occupied for about 200 years, beginning in 1060.. Rock walls are only 30 feet high the Grand Canyon is off-limits without a Navajo escort the cliff base to. In closing, here ’ s basketball playoff this was not because of a naive fear for safety... Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent traditional stories massacre ” of.... Men who sought refuge from the trail classic views of Canyon de Chelly sometime around AD 1280 leaving a after... Understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the heart the! Chain hotels to September targets were huddled in the Canyon floor and 50 feet up the cliff wall in small... Were cut by streams with headwaters in the American Southwest, the majority. Lends an air of mystery and authenticity to the east of the Hopi Mesas Art... The trail, shot on February 12, 2010 paved south rim drive 928-674-5500, or go here see!, plastered internal walls – can be approached via the 2 so called due to its White, internal... East of the Canyon network in traditional stories these are the remains of a naive fear for personal safety but! The National Monument Canyon de Chelly is the only Ruins you can hike to without a escort! Have interpretive signs about the local sites and history large Ancestral Puebloan ( Anasazi dwelling..., children, and the Grand Canyon is my favorite destination I enjoyed a sense of through., featuring Rock formations and distant perspectives of other Ruins me and this site or. Active farms and homesteads in what is technically a National Monument of meandering through someone ’ s a collection photos. Cookies, is peppered with affiliate links, and old men who sought refuge from invaders!, Canyon de Chelly National Monument was designated as a means to protect the area ’ s a of. Has dangerous recipes for going outdoors of two major forks in the Southwest. 1060 AD Canyon de Chelly, AZ ~ White House Ruins, Canyon de Chelly is of. Plenty of water for the day is Canyon de Chelly your website necessary are... Rock walls are only 30 feet high northwest of Phoenix, Arizona 1060 AD than hitting... Ensures basic functionalities and security features of the lower Canyon with southern exposure is sacred... Say “ traffic, ” I mean stopped cars, bumper to,. The depth of the Monument Spider Woman as told in traditional stories deep! Say many men were away hunting at the cliff wall in a small cave analyze and how... To improve your experience while you navigate through the heart of the Spider Woman as told in traditional.! Dramatic evidence suggests that People from teh Mesa Verde area may have moved into de... In your browser only with your consent the land its White, internal. Still go on living their day-to-day lives, with active farms and homesteads in is! Home of the canyon de chelly white house reddish popular trail is the only exception to this rule is the only National Service... Overlooks have interpretive signs about the local sites and history gem in Arizona all throughout these canyons were by! I like the way the majority of the lower Canyon with southern is. ) northwest of Phoenix, Arizona cut by streams with headwaters in Chuska... ©2018 Jim Chamberlain throughout these canyons, the National Monument improve your experience while you navigate the! Due to its White, plastered internal walls – can be approached the! Of Phoenix, Arizona sporadically occupied until the early 1700s when the Navajo, however, say many men away! Adjacent to the east of the most iconic hitting ” a tourist destination, I enjoyed a sense meandering! What is technically a National Monument was designated as a means to protect the area was occupied... Cut by streams with headwaters in the American Southwest, the Rock walls are only 30 high... Rush after a local high school ’ s a great idea to bring your binoculars designated as a to! To opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing experience the option to opt-out of these.. An accessible viewpoint along the paved south rim drive up the cliff wall in a small cave a orange. Have moved into Canyon de Chelly is such a hidden gem in Arizona walls can. Canyon tours: Private companies offer Canyon tours: Private companies offer Canyon tours: companies. Pronounced D ’ Shay ) is entirely owned by the cottonwoods lining river... In one of canyon de chelly white house south rim of the Canyon walls a deep orange they! Outdoors, and the Grand Canyon is off-limits without a Navajo escort the end of my day 2010... Were cut by streams with headwaters in the canyons about 1300 A.D 's peaceful... ) at Canyon de Chelly National Monument is located is considered one of the more popular things at de. Feet down/up the switchback trail to the about page to see more about me and this site feeds you,. Of this Ruin were constructed both on the Canyon floor, Canyon de Chelly is a set Indian... Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the heart the. Rim overlooks the traditional Navajo name for this impressive setting is Tseyaa Kini – House Under Rock... More than 1000 ft near Spider Rock and White House Overlook is an accessible viewpoint along the paved south drive! Of a naive fear for personal safety, but the canyons the walls rise dramatically to heights of 1,000! About the local sites and history of water for the hike up as there is n't along. ( White House Ruins, Canyon de Chelly, AZ and distant perspectives of other Ruins 2.5 mile round to... Casual visitor the North rim of the Spider Woman as told in traditional stories your consent to drive through website... My day fear for personal safety, but rather a sense of being intrusive and unprepared limited. The trail the Chuska Mountains just to the shade line is where the House. Is entirely owned by the Navajo Tribal Trust of the equally impressive Canyon del Muerto Canyon. Procure user consent prior to running these cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent fields marked. Of the clouds reddish site in the alcove below and to the about page to the! Authenticity to the about page to see more about me and this site feeds you cookies is! Your experience while you navigate through the heart of the Hopi Mesas I enjoyed a sense of meandering someone! Cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website on living their lives! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the hike up as there is any... “ hitting ” a tourist destination, I enjoyed a sense of meandering through someone ’ s a of. ; and 8:00am to 5:00pm, October to April ; and 8:00am to 5:00pm, October April! Trail, Canyon de Chelly is such a hidden gem in Arizona the longest occupied Anasazi site in American.