Explore Chinle: Top 5 Day Trip Adventures

So, you’re dropping by Chinle, Arizona, and you’re likely looking for something to do besides marveling at the Canyon de Chelly. That is very fair! While the canyon is quite the showstopper, the surrounding area has places that would definitely get your attention, promising some interesting day trip possibilities. Now, from unique cultural sites to spectacular geological formations, there’s really a bunch to keep your adventurous spirit occupied.

1. Canyon de Chelly: Up Close and Personal

As I suggested, you simply can’t swing by Chinle and basically ignore Canyon de Chelly National Monument. It is that place that blends natural beauty with quite a bit of Native American history. Very unique. You know, think soaring sandstone walls meeting ancient ruins – that is quite the picture. Anyway, the South Rim Drive and North Rim Drive is that option with all those scenic overlooks. Spider Rock really makes it picture perfect and has some stories behind it.

And if you fancy getting deeper, so you can consider booking a tour with a Navajo guide. These people is almost a living textbook on local history and culture, so they’ll take you down into the canyon floor and share really remarkable stories about the people who called it home. And if you’re a photography lover, this is likely the spot where you’ll use up your memory card pretty quick!

2. Window Rock: A Glimpse into Navajo Nation’s Heart

A short drive from Chinle, is Window Rock, and is more or less the Navajo Nation’s capital. Of course, that iconic sandstone arch, that “window,” is kind of calling for the visitors. It’s almost picturesque under the Arizona sky! But there is kind of more to Window Rock than just the pretty formations.

Anyway, you could check out the Navajo Nation Museum, where you’re going to learn a bit about the Nation’s cultural heritage through interesting displays. Very interesting stuff! Close to that you have the Navajo Nation Zoo and Botanical Park. As a matter of fact it is the only tribally owned zoo. A good place to appreciate native wildlife. At Window Rock, you have that possibility to admire impressive landscapes, but in that way it adds depth of context to a trip, I mean, which shows some contemporary Navajo life.

3. Hubbell Trading Post: Where Time Stands Still

Hubbell Trading Post happens to be not too far from Ganado, so this site it’s almost like stepping back in time. Just imagine: Since the late 1800s, the place has really functioned as more than your typical shop; it has that history in itself as a very social meeting point between Navajo people and traders. Anyway, still works today.

At that point, so you can browse through rugs, jewelry, and art from local Navajo artisans. I mean you could just spend hours taking in those incredible handcrafted items. Of course the location, they arrange for demonstrations sometimes where artists shows some Navajo weaving methods – which that is pretty awesome thing to see. With a trip to Hubbell, really you do not just get souvenirs, yet get yourself connected to that continued living history.

4. Navajo National Monument: Explore Ancient Pueblan Life

The Navajo National Monument happens to be about an hour away, but its definitely a fascinating look on how ancestral Puebloans are believed to be have lived. The highlight here basically are those three well-preserved cliff dwellings – that is Keet Seel, Betatakin, and Inscription House. As I suggested, it really showcases remarkable ancestral engineering skills. Sadly, tours to go into Keet Seel basically are restricted, which that would be because to preserve these places.

If that is the case, then so you can actually walk the Sandal Trail, which has that self-guided walk with great overlook. The overlook gets you those Betatakin views. In addition, be on the watch for local wildlife! Many of the bird species make that area a birdwatcher’s spot. At Navajo National Monument, you take time to basically think what life really must have been for some people centuries ago, really set into this gorgeous landscape.

5. Petrified Forest National Park: A Colorful Landscape

So, are you ok with something just over an hour out? The Petrified Forest National Park offers you something quite totally from your other destinations: I mean is basically the place where trees were turned to stone a millennia ago! With your visit you got colors you won’t even imagine.

You are probably gonna like that scenic drive through that park! It basically reveals a lot, like logs changed by time, and the Painted Desert colors is almost too much to take in one shot. Do visit the Rainbow Forest Museum and the Giant Logs Trail for a walk among pretty big petrified logs. That is the case, right? In that moment you can go see Agate Bridge and the Jasper Forest Overlook. That, again, makes for very picture perfect stuff.