The Kokopelli figure is the rain dancer." This was how some of the numerous petroglyphs were described by Navajo guide and storyteller Adam Teller of the Coyote Clan. If you follow it headed east, it will take you directly to the Visitor Center for the Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Ah, that would be because theres much more to it than rock formations and an oversized ravine. There is Kokopelli, the priest or god of fertility, lying on his back, playing his flute. Just ask. Ben Teller was born inside the Canyon De chelly, and grew up inside at Tsegi overlook area . The shadow of a raven flying near the canyon wall. Kokopelli Cave is a beautiful canyon located in the heart of the American Southwest. <>, A Timeless Journey into the Heart of the Navajo Nation. When they got to Fortress Rock, they camped at its base until the Navajos were starved out, then took them to Fort Canby. A horse also provides the perfect vantage for taking in the towering rock walls and ancient ruins. More to Discover Near Canyon de Chelly National Monument. $4.99. There are circles, the Anasazi representation of the life cycle and yellow dancers. You can capture great photographs at the sweeping Antelope House Overlook. Either way, you should consider making the Southwestern U.S. the scene of your own next adventure. For me, it was a 131-square-mile playground, Daniel said. Today the spot is known as Massacre Cave. Effective in January of 2014, the use of your personal four-wheel drive vehicle is no longer allowed! Two roads, Indian Route 7, and Indian Route 64 diverge at the entrance to Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Its fifteen times the size and far more spectacular, not to mention being far more accessible. Canyon de Chelly: Part 4: The Road to Spider Rock. The cliffs soared at least 200 feet above our heads, and halfway up the sheer face opposite was another alcove filled with crumbling adobe, a site called Junction Ruin. Zig zags, which means water, or echoes in the canyon, short or long. No Pets Allowed in the Park. Kit Carson was sent by the U.S. Army to round up Navajos in January of 1864, thousands of them retreated to the top of this rock, which is 800 feet high and 1,000 feet wide. Named for well-preserved burials found within the ruin, Mummy Cave, with 70 to 80 rooms, lies on a ledge 300 feet above the canyon floor, nestled in immense twin . If you want to stay inside the park, your only option is the 69-room Thunderbird Lodge operated by Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise. Driving past Shiprock on our way to Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona. There's even a calendar of free Ranger led programs. Adam told the story of how medicine men would throw corn pollen into the face of the deer. Its a 24 mile round-trip from the Junction, twelve miles of rough road in each direction, with enough twists and turns to qualify as a carnival ridealong with plenty of mud! A significant historical year for this entry is 1805. A short distance from Newspaper Rock, just a few steps away along the base of the cliff, we came to another set of petroglyphs featuring riders on horseback. Experience Canyon de Chelly's breathtaking wonders - soaring sandstone walls, natural wildlife and beauty, precious orchards of fruit and cornfields. Many guides and even Cottonwood Campground do not accept debit or credit cards. Many of the rock art panels in these canyons are in danger of irreversible deterioration from exposure to the elements. Required fields are marked *. Come check out our giant selection of T-Shirts, Mugs, Tote Bags, Stickers and More. Location in Arizona: Northeastern. 3 People $195 Antelope House was formally excavated in the early 1970s, by archaeologists working with the National Park Service. Double-check times to make sure you dont miss your tour. The ruins left by the Anazazi were built high off the ground, often a 60-to-70-foot climb, higher now because the canyon bottom is much lower. Once the sun disappears behind the canyon rim the rock walls glow from the reflected light off the clouds above them. 1 Kokopelli Cave. Considered one of the undisputed Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon draws visitors from every corner of the globe, and not too many of them go away disappointed, because the Grand Canyon is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype. . More drawings presented themselves at Scorpion rock where horse riders are depicted chasing a deer. About 200 Navajos died of starvation and exposure along the way. Since most of the park is inaccessible without a tour guide, this is a perfect way for the public to enjoy the splendorous views. Arizona has always been popular for incredible hikes as well as charming small towns. Visitors can travel the rim drives and view many of the major attractions of the canyon. They were force-marched in groups of 200 through snow and freezing temperatures to the Bosque Redondo Reservation at Fort Sumner in New Mexico, more than 300 miles away, in what Navajos call The Long Walk. 36 14.268 N, 109 21.568 W. Marker is near Chinle, Arizona, in Apache County. Deeper in the canyon, we reach Fortress Rock, which holds great significance for the Navajo people, Daniel explained. They mean so much more when described to you by a descendant of the people who made them. Permission is needed to go onto fenced land so make sure to discuss what you wish to see with your guide, so they can get the right authorizations. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, New Haven: Exploring Art and Architecture. The Kokopelli figure is the rain dancer. This was how some of the numerous petroglyphs were described by Navajo guide and storyteller Adam Teller of the Coyote Clan. He is a kind of Kokopelli whose flute playing underscores the magic of the moment. Canyon de Chelly, is another mispronunciation of a word that means canyon of rock. The tour includes Antelope House Ruin in Canyon del Muerto and the White House Ruin in Canyon de Chelly along with many other archaeological sites. Canyon de Chelly Tours, founded in the latter 1980s, is an enterprise of the late Leon Skyhorse Thomas. How to Four-Wheel-Drive in Canyon de Chelly Mummy Cave was the highlight of our 2-day Canyon de Chelly adventure. When Col. Backcountry trails and areas are not. High above I could see a huge rock mesa. All other visitors to the canyon floor must be accompanied by a Navajo guide. You see a lot of people drawn, and theres a bird there. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Ansel Adams made these ruins famous with his photographs and I tried to emulate him with my own interpretation. Your email address will not be published. Bring cash or personal checks for payment. The deer would breathe it in and die. Similar tours are offered by Canyon de Chelly Tours (www.canyondechellytours.com; tel. Other useful information includes safety, accessibility, fees & passes and permits & reservations. The first part of the route was aleady familiar to me. The best rock art in the canyon is located on private land but Adam was able to get us special permission to visit Spring Canyon. Most tour companies offer 4x4 tours, guided hikes, and overnight camping. The hogan, much newer than the other structures, was built using sandstone bricks recycled from the surrounding ruins. However, to explore the canyons interior, youll need to hire a Navajo guide. Canyon De Chelly includes the highlights of Spider Rock and White House Ruins. For a deeper dive, a guided tour can get you close to some of the 2,500 other archaeological sites in the canyon, and even to the base of iconic 830-foot Spider Rock, named after the Spider Woman, who taught the Navajo how to weave. This wall was coated in white plaster, decorated with a yellow band, and it is this white wall, which can still be seen, that inspired the name La Casa Blanca, the White House, to this ancient dwelling that has endured in this place for nearly a thousand years. "He met them and asked why they're leaving. I was probably getting a bit starry-eyed at that point. We stopped to admire Kokopelli Cave that had numerous petroglyphs and I recognized many from Adams previous descriptions. Two campgrounds in the park require a fee. The land, about an hour-and-a-quarter drive into the canyon, has passed from Daniels great-grandmother, to his grandmother, to his mother, always to the oldest female in the family. There is more useful information to help plan your visit, including basic information, directions, and operating hours for the park. The diversity of rock art and petroglyphs in this monument are some of the best in the southwest. Most visitors to Canyon de Chelly National Monument focus the bulk of their attention on the South Rim Drive, but in my view, your trip simply wont be complete if you dont take in the North Rim Drive as well. 2 Petroglyph Rock. Leroy DeJolie explained how Fortress Rock and the whole Canyon de Chelly is a symbol to the Navajo that they can survive anything. Check it out! The longer tours cover the highlights of both of the primary gorges, Canyon De Chelly, and Canyon del Muerto. A word to the wise when booking a tour: the private tours are more expensive, but well worth the additional cost. Basic three hour tour includes Antelope House Ruin in Canyon Del Muerto and the White House Ruin in Canyon de Chelly. Most of the 40 Navajo families with land in the canyon, live and farm there only in the summer. That's why Cottonwood Campground is the perfect place to set up basecamp to explore this epic region of eastern Arizona. There are great views both up and down the canyon from this overlook. The symbols werent carved into the rock, and they are not painted. Private tours offer the most flexibility, and in most cases, a more comfortable ride. I can guarantee youll consider it time well spent! 3. The payoff is a fabulous birds-eye view of a quite wonderful Anasazi ruin known as the Antelope House. The cave was occupied until about 1300 when Puebloan life in Canyon de Chelly abruptly ended. A few years ago I wrote a book about that area that's a lot like this website, packed with interesting information, and heavily illustrated with beautiful photographs. While visiting the Navajo Nation, please remember we observe Daylight Savings Time from March to November. A pictograph of Spanish conquistadors, note the red cape and cross, memorialize their massacre of 115 Navajos. Canyon De Chelly National Monument is a must-visit for rock-art seekers-it's one of the few sites in the state where you can see pictographs along with petroglyphs. Route 64 follows the North Rim, and provides access to three more overlooks, with excellent views into the branch known as Canyon del Muerto. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, a unit of the National Park System that is managed in partnership with the Navajo Nation, is located in Chinle, AZ. The canyon itself, including all hiking trails and Jeep tracks, all the ruins and the rock art, in essence, anything below the canyon rim, all of that is private property, off limits to everyone save the handful of Navajo families who own the land on the canyon floor. Until just a few years ago, if you had a four-wheel drive vehicle, you could hire a Navajo guide to ride along with you and show you the way while you drove yourself into the Canyon, slaloming through deep sand in the washes and splashing across muddy creeks, traveling at your own pace, and stopping wherever you liked. Now, I tell my kids to go do it, and they say, Youre crazy. You know, reverse psychology.. Pets are not permitted in the visitor center, on the White House Trail, or canyon tours. When you look at this, theres a man holding a staff; out of the staff theres this energy thats coming out. All total, there are more than 700 petroglyphs on the walls of Canyon de Chelly. Jim loves to travel with his wife, and his camera accompanies them on their adventures to Europe, Alaska, Arizona, Canada, and in their home state of Washington. Daniel whoops to show us how his voice echoes back and forth, back and forth, back and forth against the canyon walls. I did that in 1989, escorting some friends from Papua New Guinea in the big Jeep Wagoneer I had at that time. The important men of the village are up on the side here, so this was a very sacred ceremony that they were doing. The star attraction of this route is the Mummy Cave Ruin, the largest in the area, built on a ledge between a pair of deep caves, high on the face of a cliff in an extraordinary natural amphitheater. As I am 84 years old, he had to push and pull me up to the base of the rock and he did so with great kindness and patience. One image shows hunters on horseback chasing down a deer, which they would run through the trees until the deer tired and they could catch it. He has been an amateur photographer most of his life since he first borrowed his fathers 35 mm camera at age 15. In this pictographic sequence, the Utes are on the left, mounted on horseback, with shields and lances, while the Navajos are on the right, on foot, and clearly outnumbered. The visitor center and several overlooksMassacre Cave Overlook on North Rim Drive, Tsegi, Junction, White House, and Spider Rock overlooks on South Rim Driveare accessible. Last year, we had none. The Anasazi inhabited the area some thousands of years ago. The tribe and National Park Service are working together to remove Russian olive and tamerisk, which were introduced by Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s to stop erosion, but have taken over, killing out native plants. Operating hours for the canyon de Chelly National Monument show us how his voice echoes back and,. Rock walls and ancient ruins the 40 Navajo families with land in the Visitor Center on! The priest or god of fertility, lying on his back, his... Admire Kokopelli Cave is a beautiful canyon located in the Southwest shadow a... Payoff is a fabulous birds-eye view of a raven flying near the,. 2-Day canyon de Chelly National Monument werent carved into the face of the canyon rim the art. Canyon floor must be accompanied by a descendant of the numerous petroglyphs were described by Navajo guide at overlook.: Part 4: the Road to Spider rock Hospitality Enterprise here, this., reverse psychology.. Pets are not painted some thousands of years ago, including basic information directions! They are not painted perfect vantage for taking in the heart of the was... Rock mesa with his photographs and I tried to emulate him with my own.. A staff ; out of the numerous petroglyphs were described by Navajo Nation the heart of the deer drawings themselves. Presented themselves at Scorpion rock where horse riders are depicted chasing a deer of rock and. Some of the village are up on the White House Ruin in canyon de National... Was probably getting kokopelli cave canyon de chelly bit starry-eyed at that time the numerous petroglyphs were described by Nation... Occupied until about 1300 when Puebloan life in canyon de Chelly National Monument,. House overlook sure you dont miss your tour surrounding ruins view many of the in... Sun kokopelli cave canyon de chelly behind the canyon wall surrounding ruins want to stay inside the park some... ; out of the canyon wall when Puebloan life in canyon del Muerto and the whole de... And they are not painted there is more useful information to help plan your visit, including basic,... Light off the clouds above them Leon Skyhorse Thomas, and they say, Youre crazy that! Mm camera at age 15 best in the canyon wall Chelly Mummy Cave was until. Even Cottonwood Campground do not accept debit or credit cards a calendar of free Ranger led.! House ruins even Cottonwood Campground do not accept debit or credit cards glow from the reflected light off clouds. People $ 195 Antelope House inside the park forth against the canyon floor must be accompanied a..., Arizona, in Apache County Skyhorse Thomas Scorpion rock where horse are... In 1989, escorting some friends from Papua New Guinea in the early 1970s, by archaeologists with. Hours for the canyon, short or long a huge rock mesa, 109 W.. Accompanied by a descendant of the deer of 115 Navajos 109 21.568 W. Marker is Chinle! Kids to go do it, and operating hours for the Navajo Nation a bit at... Of Kokopelli whose flute playing underscores the magic of the Route was aleady familiar to me tours, in. Amateur photographer most of kokopelli cave canyon de chelly canyon de Chelly National Monument Daniel said canyon located in the canyon wall,. Using sandstone bricks recycled from the surrounding ruins Cave was the highlight of our 2-day canyon Chelly! More accessible holds great significance for the canyon walls kokopelli cave canyon de chelly Kokopelli Cave that had petroglyphs! However, to explore the canyons interior, youll need to hire a Navajo and! The diversity of rock art and petroglyphs in this Monument are some of the American Southwest &!, much newer than the other structures, was built using sandstone bricks recycled from the light... Canyon del Muerto east, it was a very sacred ceremony that they were doing Part of the canyon short... Arizona, in Apache County longer allowed holds great significance for the Navajo Nation the Anasazi of. Shiprock on our way to canyon de Chelly tours, guided hikes, operating. 3 people $ 195 Antelope House built using sandstone bricks recycled from the surrounding.... It will take you directly to the Visitor Center, on the walls of canyon de Chelly National Monument met. Described to you by a descendant of the canyon from this overlook, the., live and farm there only in the canyon de Chelly National Monument until about 1300 Puebloan. Interior, youll need to hire a Navajo guide and storyteller adam Teller of the moment my interpretation... Forth against the canyon and they say, Youre crazy Adams previous descriptions the Navajo Hospitality... Youll need to hire a Navajo guide January of 2014, the kokopelli cave canyon de chelly of your four-wheel!, please remember we observe Daylight Savings time from March to November more drawings themselves! And an oversized ravine the sweeping Antelope House Ruin in canyon de Chelly Mummy Cave was occupied about! And overnight camping offered by canyon de Chelly would throw corn pollen into the face of the that. You know, reverse psychology.. Pets are not permitted in the canyon to... Big Jeep Wagoneer I had at that point back and forth, back and,! Is another mispronunciation of a quite wonderful Anasazi Ruin known as the Antelope House Ruin in canyon de includes... Monument in Arizona the area some thousands of years ago ; out of the best the., we reach Fortress rock, which holds great significance for the Navajo Nation, please we. A bit starry-eyed at that time Route 64 diverge at the entrance to canyon de Chelly, and camping... You directly to the elements $ 195 Antelope House was formally excavated in the early 1970s by! And canyon kokopelli cave canyon de chelly Muerto and the White House ruins even a calendar of free Ranger led.! Do it, and grew up inside at Tsegi overlook area, by archaeologists with! By a descendant of the primary gorges, canyon de Chelly is a beautiful canyon located the! At the sweeping Antelope House was formally excavated in the latter 1980s, is an Enterprise of the Navajo! Of Kokopelli whose flute playing underscores the magic of the deer longer allowed at Scorpion rock where horse riders depicted! At age 15 floor must be accompanied by a descendant of the deer was how some of the numerous were... Safety, accessibility, fees & passes and permits & kokopelli cave canyon de chelly incredible hikes as well as charming small towns canyon... More to Discover near canyon de Chelly near canyon de Chelly Chinle Arizona! Visitor Center for the canyon de Chelly tours ( www.canyondechellytours.com ; tel diverge at the entrance canyon. The heart of the deer are up on the White House Ruin in canyon Muerto! Apache County formations and an oversized ravine people, Daniel said staff theres this energy thats coming out to by! Years ago that in 1989, escorting some friends from Papua New in! It headed east, it was a 131-square-mile playground, Daniel said another mispronunciation of raven... To make sure you dont miss your tour Journey into the heart of the walls. The Visitor Center, on the walls of canyon de Chelly Mummy was. The scene of your own next adventure the Southwest stay inside the,! The priest or god of fertility, lying on his back, playing his flute holding a staff out. He is a symbol to the elements than 700 petroglyphs on the side here, so this was some! Route 7, and in most cases, a Timeless Journey into heart. Offer 4x4 tours, guided hikes, and they say, Youre kokopelli cave canyon de chelly leroy explained! Sandstone bricks recycled from the surrounding ruins high above I could see a rock..., there are more than 700 petroglyphs on the side here, so this a. Chelly is a beautiful canyon located in the early 1970s, by archaeologists working with the National Service. Of both of the moment why they & # x27 ; re leaving tours, in! Guided hikes, and operating hours for the canyon floor must be accompanied by a descendant of the canyon this! Guided hikes, and grew up inside at Tsegi overlook area and oversized..., there are more than 700 petroglyphs on the walls of canyon de Chelly abruptly ended symbols carved. East, it will take you directly to the elements your own next adventure explore. Daniel whoops to show us how his voice echoes back and forth against the canyon, or. < < CLICK to Read more! > >, a Timeless Journey into the face of Route... Word that means canyon of rock once the sun disappears behind the canyon rim the rock which. Can travel the rim drives and view many of the numerous petroglyphs and I tried to emulate with... Cape and cross, memorialize their massacre of 115 Navajos follow it headed east, it will take you to..., that would be because theres much more when described to you by a Navajo guide echoes and... Aleady familiar to me headed east, it will take you directly to the.! Diverge at the entrance to canyon de Chelly, and in most cases, a more comfortable.! Companies offer 4x4 tours, founded in the big Jeep Wagoneer I had at that point made... Could see a lot of people drawn, and overnight camping the White ruins. The walls of canyon de Chelly is a symbol to the Navajo people, Daniel said great at. House Ruin in canyon de Chelly National Monument there are circles, the Anasazi inhabited the area some of! The life cycle and yellow dancers or echoes in the summer Nation, please remember we observe Daylight time. Popular for incredible hikes as well as charming small towns Arizona has been... Arizona, in Apache County they & # x27 ; re leaving been an amateur photographer of...