Canyon de Chelly

Canyon de Chelly Elderhostel Monument Valley Navajo Hogan

Canyon de Chelly

 

Under the Rock Navajo Fortress Canyon Life

 

Canyon de Chelly

Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona, U.S., on the Navajo Indian reservation immediately east of Chinle. The name is a Spanish corruption of tsegi, a Navajo word meaning “rock canyons.” The monument, which was established in 1931, occupies 131 square miles (339 square km) and includes several hundred pre-Columbian cliff dwellings, built at the base of red sandstone cliffs or in caves on the steep canyon walls.

 

White House

Other Photos of Houses Under the Rock

They cover a longer period than any other ruins in the Southwest, many of them dating from the 11th century. Relics of the Basket Maker culture have been found under those of the later Cliff Dweller and Pueblo cultures. Modern Navajo Indian homes and farms occupy the canyon bottoms. Thunderbird Ranch Campground is the monument headquarters.

 

canyon wall

 

Navajo farm on the Canyon floor

More Photos of Navajo Life in the Canyon

 

bird of prey over the canyon

 

 

stream on the canyon floor

 

driving into the canyon with a Navajo guide

 

 

 

Spider Rock

 

closer view of the pinnacle rock

 

Canyon de Chelly Visitor Center

 

The Park Service "Bus"

 

viewing the canyon

 

Spider Rock

More Photos of Spider Rock

and the Navajo Fortress

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Under the Rock Navajo Fortress Canyon Life

Canyon de Chelly Elderhostel Monument Valley Navajo Hogan

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