10 Hidden Gems Things to do in That You Shouldn't Miss

A self-guided 2.5-mile hiking trail in Canyon de Chelly.

A dramatic 800-foot monolith that was formed more than 230 million years ago.

Beauty Way Jeep Tours formally known as De Chelly Tours offers Half Day and All Day Vehicle tours into Canyon De Chelly National Monument. Ya'at'eeh (hello) to all our family and friends! We are all thrilled to announce that this summer marks our 25th Anniversary as an established tour company in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona!! As a young man, my great grandfather, Chauncey Neboyia, first led groups of archeologist and others into the canyon, and eventually helped it to become a National Monument in 1931. Over the next few decades he would teach his children and grandchildren about the history, stories, and traditions of the canyons, and it was here where my father, Daniel Staley (grandson of Chauncey) picked up his vast knowledge of the canyons and all its wonders. Chauncey first led groups by foot, horse and wagon, then over the years Daniel started adding 4x4 vehicles and established "De Chelly Tours" as the first Navajo-owned tour business in Canyon de Chelly in 1989. We are the longest running Navajo family-owned and operated tour company in Canyon de Chelly that offers 4x4 tours, hiking and camping. We are so very happy and proud of our family's legacy and I feel completely honored to be the one to continue the family business and take it to new levels and share our beautiful home with you all. I feel like I learn something new about the canyon all the time and I hope to someday have as much knowledge of the canyon as my father and great grandfather.

Red cliff and canyon walls that are home to ancient Indian ruins.

A scenic and dramatic 36-mile drive along the 500-foot rim of Canyon de Chelly.

Scenic stop along the South Rim Drive in Canyon de Chelly.

Site where the Anastazis lived in Canyon de Chelly 700 to 800 years ago before they vanished.

Canyon De Chelly Tours is an enterprise of Leon Skyhorse Thomas. Every guide is a professional, certified by the National Park Service by examination. In addition to tours of the Canyon de Chelly National Monument, cultural consulting needs are addressed on a case by case basis for those who seek a more intimate insight onto the Navajo Way. Leon has assisted film-makers on location in Navajoland and is used to delivering high quality services to the people and organizations he serves.There are over 2700 archaeological sites within the many canyons of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Only 13 of the 700 standing ruins have been stabilized, re-inforced, or protected from degradation. We are professional Navajo guides who can teach you the history of our canyons and about the Anasazi, Hopi and Navajo peoples. We pride ourselves in offering you more than just viewing our scenery - but we can do this too!

Created as an irrigation reservoir by damming the Little Colorado River, Lyman Lake State Park is a 1,200-acre park that encompasses the shoreline of a 1,500-acre reservoir at an elevation of 6,000 feet. It is fed by snowmelt from the slopes of Mount Baldy and Escudilla Mountain, the second and third highest mountains in Arizona. Water is channeled into this river valley from a 790-square-mile watershed extending into New Mexico. Lyman Lake is one of the few bodies of water in northeastern Arizona with no size restrictions on boats. The west end of the lake is buoyed off and restricted as a no wake area (5 mph). This allows the angler a chance at a variety of fish without the proximity of speedboats and water-skiers. The fishery consists of walleye, channel catfish and largemouth bass. The large remainder of the lake is open for all other types of water sports. Lyman Lake really comes into its own during the spring, summer, and fall. Summer days, with temperature highs in the 80s to low 90s, are perfect for fishing, swimming, leisure boating, water-skiing, hiking or just relaxing.