Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Arizona.

In the park service’s words

This canyon is home to Diné families who raise livestock, grow crops and live here. People have lived in these canyons for nearly 5,000 years, which is longer than anyone has lived continuously on the Colorado Plateau. In this place called Tsegi, their homes and images tell us their stories. Today, the park and Navajo Nation work together to manage the rich cultural and natural resources.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. North Rim Drive, South Rim Drive, 9 overlooks open daily all year round. The Welcome Center is open daily from 8AM to 5PM and closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Welcome Center gates open and close daily with regular business hours. No entrance fee for park.

Getting there

Recommended route to park is taking Highway 191 from Chinle, AZ, then East on Route 7. Park entrance and Welcome Center is less than 3 miles from HWY 191. Alternative route to park is from the East via Route 64 from Tsaile, AZ. From Flagstaff, AZ, take I-40 East then Highway 191 North. From Gallup, NM, take Highway 264 West then Highway 191 North. From Kayenta, AZ, take Route 59 Southwest then Highway 191 South. DO NOT use Route 7 from Sawmill, AZ to Spider Rock turnoff (road is unpaved and unmaintained).

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Visitor Center: Daily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM. VISITOR CENTER open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Navajo Nation observes Daylight Savings Time (DST) from March through November when the rest of Arizona is one hour behind. NORTH AND SOUTH RIM DRIVES PLUS WHITE HOUSE TRAIL accessible daily from sunrise to sunset all year round.

Weather

Canyon de Chelly's elevation is about 5,500 feet. Spring is cool and windy; highs from 50 to 70; lows of 35 degrees. Expect dust storms and canyon flooding. Summer is hot and dry; highs from 85 to 100; lows of 51 degrees. Drink plenty of water outdoors. Fall is warm and often wet; highs from 60 to 80; lows of 40 degrees. Expect lightning, thunderstorms, and flash floods. Winter is cold and breezy; highs from 40 to 60; lows of 18 degrees. Expect 1-4 inches of snow and freezing nighttime temperatures.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Petrified Forest, about 78 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Canyon de Chelly National Monument (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.