Greetings from Canyon De Chelly National Monument

When my son, Aaron, graduated from Montana State University in 2005, I asked him if he’d like an all-expense paid vacation to the Four Corners area as his reward for a job well done. It had been a ‘bucket list’ item of mine for many years and the time seemed right for Aaron and me to hit the road before life overtook us again. We took in Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Dinosaur National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Chaco Canyon National Historic Park, Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Arches National Park, and BLM’s Sego Canyon Rock Art and Ghost Town before heading home. We have memories to last a lifetime from an all-too-short tour of some of America’s finest physical and cultural heritage!

Sincerely,
Paul

Canyon De Chelly National Monument

Three and a half hours east of the world-famous Grand Canyon, a majestic but much lesser-known canyon offers a more solitary Southwestern experience on colorful lands entirely within the Navajo Nation. Drive along the north and south rims to enjoy incredible vistas, including a view of the park’s dramatic 800-foot monolith, Spider Rock. Hike the only public trail (two and a half miles round-trip) into the canyon to see the White House Ruin left by Ancestral Puebloans. Hire a Navajo guide to explore even more of the canyon’s geology and learn about the native people who continue to live and grow food in the canyon as their families have for generations.

State(s): Arizona

Established: 1931

“The many aspects of the park service represent the best of us. Places recognized as physically and culturally important have been set aside for everyone and for generations to come.”

National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!

{{ active ? "Cancel" : "Begin"}}

Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.

You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.

In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!

Here’s your unique story page link:

{{ storyUrl }}

* indicates Required fields

Click to choose a file to upload

Submitting your story means that you agree to our Terms of Service

More Stories

  • Greetings from Canyon De Chelly National Monument

    As my father and I hiked down the trail into the canyon, I recall feeling like a visitor to a very sacred place, almost as if I were an intruder into this land steeped with tradition, and unchanged by time. The sun brought out the deep red hues of the…

  • Greetings from Canyon De Chelly National Monument

    Canyon de Chelly is an especially beloved, sacred place of remembered childhood wonder for me. My last pilgrimage confined me to the soul searching views from the rim though I still remember the wild jeep rides splashing though the river on the canyon bottom from my younger days. On this…

  • Greetings from Acadia National Park

    amazing!

Donate

Preserve Our Parks

Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.

Donate Now