The Four Corners Area - American Southwest - page 113

113

Tips

Forget About Wine with Dinner

Alcohol is prohibited on both the Navajo and the Hopi reservations. Unfortu-
nately, however, despite this prohibition, drunk drivers are a problem on the res-
ervation, so stay alert.

WHERE TO STAY & DINE
Other than a handful of fast-food restaurants in Chinle, the only places to eat in town
are hotel dining rooms. While the cafeteria at the Thunderbird Lodge has a memorable
setting in a historic trading post, the food is forgettable. The food at the Holiday Inn's
dining room is quite a bit better. If you need an espresso, stop by Changing Woman
Tours & Gourmet Coffee ( & 928/674-5260; changingwomancafe.com), which is in a
hogan under the trees across from the national monument's Cottonwood Campground.
The coffee is organic, and the cafe owner, Victoria Begay, also offers a variety of four-
wheel-drive, hiking, and camping tours.
Holiday Inn-Canyon de Chelly Between the town of Chinle and the national
monument entrance, this modern hotel is on the site of the old Garcia Trading Post,
which has been incorporated into the restaurant and gift-shop building (although the
building no longer has any historical character). All guest rooms have patios or balconies,
and most face the cottonwood-shaded pool courtyard. Because Canyon de Chelly truck
tours leave from the parking lot here, and because the restaurant serves the best food in
town, this should be your top choice for a room in Chinle.
Indian Rte. 7 (P.O. Box 1889), Chinle, AZ 86503. & 888/465-4329 or 928/674-5000. Fax [phone].
www.holiday-inn.com/chinle-garcia. 108 units. $89-$129 double. Children 17 and under stay free in par-
ent's room; children 12 and under eat free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; concierge; exer-
cise room; outdoor pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, Wi-Fi.
Thunderbird Lodge Built on the site of an early trading post right at the mouth of
Canyon de Chelly, the Thunderbird Lodge is the closest hotel to the national monument.
The red-adobe construction of the lodge itself is reminiscent of ancient pueblos, and the
presence on the property of an old stone-walled trading post gives this place lots of char-
acter. However, the rooms here are not quite as modern or as comfortable as those at the
nearby Holiday Inn. The old trading post now serves as a cafeteria that serves a few
Navajo dishes. There's also a shop that sells Navajo rugs.
P.O. Box 548, Chinle, AZ 86503. & 800/679-2473 or 928/674-5841. Fax [phone]. www.tbirdlodge.
com. 74 units. Mar-Oct $106-$111 double, $152 suite; Nov-Feb $69 double, $95 suite. Children 2 and
under stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted ($25 fee). Amenities: Restaurant. In
room: A/C, TV, free local calls, Wi-Fi.

6

Campgrounds
Adjacent to the Thunderbird Lodge is the free Cottonwood Campground, which has
around 100 sites but does not take reservations. On South Rim Drive 10 miles east of
the Canyon de Chelly visitor center is another option, the private Spider Rock Camp-
ground ( & 928/674-8261; www.spiderrockcampground.com), which has more than 30
spaces and charges $10 to $15 per night. This campground also has a couple of hogans
for rent for $29 to $39 per night.