Location: Chinle
Top Things to do in Chinle
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The 7 Best Free Things to do in Chinle, Arizona (AZ)
Chinle (Navajo: Chʼínílį́) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Apache County, Arizona. The name in Navajo means "flowing out" and is a reference to the location where the water flows out of the Canyon de Chelly. The population was 4,518 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Chinle
1. White House Ruins Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 340 reviews
A self-guided 2.5-mile hiking trail in Canyon de Chelly.
Reviewed By ktraveler2 - Carefree, United States
My cousin and I headed out to the White House trail. We are 2 senior ladies who walk a lot but don’t really hike. Standing at the top I was nervous if we could do it but off we went!! You definitely want to bring water. There are nice benches along the way and we played a game that at every bench we took a sip of water. You go through two rock tunnels!! Much of the trail is on sand stone so it’s not slippery and gives you a sure footed feel. It’s not hard at all. My cousin even thought coming up was easier. It took us about an hour and a half round trip. This was my third trip to the beautiful Canyon de Chelly and won’t be my last. But every future visit will include this beautiful trail.
2. Hope Arch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By smatso - Phoenix, United States
It's worth finding Hope Arch. However, one should be accompanied by a Navajo guide since it is on the reservation. Google maps will get you very close to the arch. You need to look for large rock outcroppings to the right near the road which are called "fins". If you go past the transmission lines, you've gone too far. You can drive your vehicle to the arch but requires 4 wheel drive and again, be cognizant that you are on the reservation. It's about a 3/4 mile hike to the arch. Follow the road and you'll see it jutting out from the line of mountain in the distance as you follow the tire tracks. It's about 7 miles off of 191 on dirt road to the "fins".
3. Spider Rock
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 358 reviews
A dramatic 800-foot monolith that was formed more than 230 million years ago.
Reviewed By RichardR1672
I was working for the State of Az in an official capacity back in 1977 and my team was sent to Chinle for an investigation.. While there I had befriended some of the Navajos and asked if I could go to see Spider Rock aka 'Shaking Rock' and Canyon de Chelly. A couple Navajo Indians were willing to take me everywhere I wanted.....back in those days it was a lot less restricted as to where you could venture. It took a while to get to Spider Rock....the 'road' if you call it that was a nightmare to navigate. I recall standing at the very base of Spider Rock and looking up....it was marvelous. Part of the movie "McKenna's Gold was filmed right there in that valley with Spider Rock. The 2 Navajos with me recall seeing some of the actors ---especially Gregory Peck in town ( Chinle ) and some were "extras" in the movie. Some of the elder Navajos still believed in the 'old ways' and lived in the valley. They built and lived in structures called 'Hogans'...very small and round structures made from Adobe. ...the 2 with me also told me strongly if I wanted to take pics of the older Navajos living in the valley to ALWAYS ASK them 1st if ok to take their pic...why?...some elder Navajos felt if you took their pic you had captured their soul!...so I asked and a few did wave me off or said no, yet I got some good pics of some. Some did not speak English and the 2 with me acted as interpreters. I also got a very private tour of parts of Canyon de Chelley that were forbidden to the general public. Back in the 1970's it was not known much nationally as it is today, however when they did the movie scenes there some Navajos were against it and some welcomed it. The elders felt part of their land was sacred and did not want outsiders coming...others felt it would bring tourists to spend money in Chinle which was badly needed. Overall back then, some liked the white man and some did not...yet the ones I met were pretty nice...just a couple rude ones only. Again, this is some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and got to see some sacred areas where no one else will...that's a shame. In some of their more sacred areas that I was granted permission to visit...an elder chanted words to protect me and there was a feeling about some of those spots that I still cannot explain today...very strange...like I was among spirits or something. I do not know how much of the area and the people have changed now over 43 yrs ago when I was there. It was much more unrestricted then than now I am quite sure. If you want to see raw nature beauty you have got to go there if in that area......also the Petrified Forest is not all that far from there...that is a must see as well.....good luck and enjoy all of it...you will be most glad you went....by the way the box below only gave me just a few date/year choices of when I visited...no dates to choose that are over a year old, so I just chose Sept 2019...because it will not let me post my comments here if I did not put in something...but I was there in 1977.
4. Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,866 reviews
Red cliff and canyon walls that are home to ancient Indian ruins.
Reviewed By 44dave56 - Placitas, United States
On the way to hike some slot canyons in Utah, I stopped by this National Monument near the New Mexico/Arizona border in the 4 corners region and discover the 2nd largest canyon system in the US and more historic Native American Dwellings. Plenty of overlooks for free and tours available for a fee to take you further into the Canyon and learn its history. Certainly worth wondering off the beaten path.
5. South Rim Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 336 reviews
A scenic and dramatic 36-mile drive along the 500-foot rim of Canyon de Chelly.
Reviewed By WC-Travelers-75
We spent a day on the South Rim. We did the White House Trail Hike as well as all the Overlooks. Great Views from Overlooks of Sliding House Ruins as well as some other minor ruins you can see if you spend the time to look. White House Ruin is a great way to get a hike in and a close-up of the ruins not requiring a Dine' guide. Probably do not want to do the hike on a hot day unless in great shape. Highly Recommended!!!
6. North Rim Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
A scenic drive through the Canyon de Chelly.
Reviewed By WC-Travelers-75
We did the North Rim Drive in early May. We had the Massacre Cave and Mummy Cave Overlooks to ourselves around 8:30. At Antelope House Overlook, we had some company but not crowded. Bought some native jewelry at the Antelope House Overlook as gifts. The early morning sun light was perfect for viewing and taking pictures at Massacre Cave Overlook and Antelope House Ruins. Mummy Cave was in deep shadows in the morning. Probably best to shoot late in the day. We spent 3-1/2 hours including travel time from Chinle. Highly recommended!!!
7. White House Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Scenic stop along the South Rim Drive in Canyon de Chelly.
Reviewed By Craig-World-Travelle - Agoura Hills, United States
Beautiful view of White House ruins, especially if you have a zoom lens on your camera to get close up photos. If not, bring binoculars if you have them. I would love to hike the trail on next visit.
