What to do and see in , Apache County: The Best Things to do

July 30, 2021 Concepcion Newsome

Discover the best top things to do in , United States including White House Ruins Trail, Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Navajo Reservation, South Rim Drive, Monument Valley Navajo Park, Casa Malpais Archaeological Park & Museum, Window Rock Navajo Tribal Park, Teec Nos Pos Trading Post, Four Corners Monument.
Restaurants in Apache County

1. White House Ruins Trail

Chinle, AZ +1 928-674-5500 http://www.nps.gov/cach/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 340 reviews

White House Ruins Trail

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. Spider Rock

Chinle, AZ +1 928-674-5500 http://www.nps.gov/cach/index.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
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Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 358 reviews

Spider Rock

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.

3. Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Highway 191, Chinle, AZ 86503 +1 928-674-5500 http://www.nps.gov/cach/planyourvisit/index.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,866 reviews

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

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.

Arizona Route 264, Window Rock, AZ 86515 +1 520-871-6478 http://www.discovernavajo.com
Excellent
72%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
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Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 64 reviews

Navajo Reservation

The home of the Navajo Indians is the largest Indian reservation in the U.S.

5. South Rim Drive

Chinle, AZ +1 928-674-5500 http://www.nps.gov/cach/index.htm
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 336 reviews

South Rim Drive

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. Monument Valley Navajo Park

Window Rock, AZ +1 435-727-5870 http://www.navajonationparks.org/htm/monumentvalley.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 273 reviews

Monument Valley Navajo Park

Located on the Arizona-Utah border, this valley has sandstone formations that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet, and more than 100 Anasazi ruins.

Reviewed By CKT808 - Honolulu, United States

It is possible to drive in Monument Valley. We drove a 15-mile loop among the beautiful monuments. There is a $20 per vehicle charge to enter the valley. All kinds of vehicles were making the drive. Some were regular cars but most were SUV's. Some of the road is a fairly smooth gravel or dirt road. Other parts are over solid rock with potholes and many bumps. It is slow drive with a speed limit of 15 miles per hour. We were in the valley for 2 hours. When you pay your fee, they give you a map with the location and name of all the monuments. You can also take a tour in the back of an open-air truck. Either way, it is a dusty adventure but fun. The views from the canyon floor are spectacular.

7. Casa Malpais Archaeological Park & Museum

418 E Main St, Springerville, AZ 85938-5220 +1 928-333-2123 http://www.casamalpais.org/
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Casa Malpais Archaeological Park & Museum

Reviewed By Belle2gabby - Phoenix, United States

Wonderful tour and excellent tour guide (Jeff). Need to reserve your spot by calling the museum the day before or morning of. Tours at 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM only (November-March). You watch a short video before heading out (via bus) to the ruins where you walk a short trail up to the archeological site. You also have the opportunity to climb a rocky staircase to the top of the ruins, overlooking the town of Springerville. Along the way, you learn about the Hopi and Zuni tribes and the history and significance of the pueblo. Lots of interesting facts and visuals, including petroglyphs. Highly recommend. Takes about hours total (arrival to departure). $10 pp, $8 for seniors.

8. Window Rock Navajo Tribal Park

Window Rock, AZ 86515 +1 928-871-6647 http://www.discovernavajo.com/window-rock-navajo-tribal-park-veteran-s-memorial.aspx
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Window Rock Navajo Tribal Park

Reviewed By StevenP3559 - Pueblo, United States

The Navajo Tribal Park is located at Window Rock right next to the Navajo Nation's Tribal Headquarters. There is a memorial honoring the "Navajo Code Talkers" as well as memorials for the fallen warriors of the tribe all set in a stunning location.

9. Teec Nos Pos Trading Post

Highway 160 & 64, Teec Nos Pos, AZ +1 928-656-3224 http://tnptradingpost.com
Excellent
39%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 84 reviews

Teec Nos Pos Trading Post

Reviewed By jodih792 - Augusta, United States

We stopped here to get a drink but ended up getting much more. It’s a huge store that I guess serves as a local grocery store & then the trading post for visitors. They carry everything from post cards to tee shirts. They have great restrooms. The outside of the building is covered with beautiful paintings. Great place for you to stop & shop!

10. Four Corners Monument

NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514 +1 800-574-4386 http://utah.com/four-corners
Excellent
14%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
34%
Poor
12%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 2,003 reviews

Four Corners Monument

Reviewed By flzdmpm03 - Fort Myers, United States

Fun place to visit and take pictures of being in 4 states at once. Even though the monument is actually off by about 6 or so miles from the actual area where the 4 states, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet, it is still worth the trip. There is a $5 per person admission fee and is owned an operated by the Navajo Indians. Lots of vendors at the site selling SW design jewelry, etc. On my bucket list, so glad we visited!

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