The Navaho have custody of two of the most beautiful places in the world.
I’ve never seen anything like Monument Valley. The Movies don’t do it justice.
Canyon De Chelly, just outside of Chinle Arizona is not quite as spectacular, but fascinating in its own right.
It’s a National Monument with a Park Service administered visitors center but the canyon itself is managed by the Navaho tribe. Navaho still live on their ancestral grounds inside the canyon. You can drive the rim trails on the outside of the canyon, but to go into the canyon itself, you need a 4×4 or a horse, a Navaho guide and a backcountry pass from the tribe.
We took a jeep ride with a very informative Navaho guide.
Just a word of warning to future travelers to the canyon – Chinle Arizona is not known for its culinary excellence.