Arizona Native Lands - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 483

Ancient dwellings stand out against the sheer rock faces at Canyon de Chelly.
7. Canyon de Chelly
The next leg of the drive turns to the north, following Rte. 191 past red rock mesas to Rte.
64 and Canyon de Chelly (pronounced duhshay) National Monument. As you approach,
bare sandstone dominates the landscape. Beyond the visitor center, where you'll find inter-
pretive exhibits and helpful information, the highway branches into two: South Rim Drive
and North Rim Drive.
FollowSouthRimDrive(Rte.7)forfourmilestoJunctionOverlook,whereCanyonde
Chelly's sheer cliffs stand about 400 feet high. These colorful walls seem almost to glow,
especially at sunset when the hues range from peach to fiery orange. In niches in the walls
are two Anasazi cliff dwellings, or pueblos. Some of these ancient homes were built more
than 800 years ago by the now-vanished tribe. Far below, Rio de Chelly meanders along
the canyon floor.
South Rim Drive eventually leads to the overlook viewing the White House ruins. A
trail (the only one where visitors are allowed to travel without a Navajo guide) descends
550 feet to the canyon floor and to the ancient ruins. Nine miles farther on, the road ends,
but the scenery has one last surprise in store: An overlook offers views of Spider Rock, a
free-standing stone spire that rises 800 feet in height above the canyon floor.