Canyon De Chelly National Monument

The Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de Shay) National Monument, 100mi/160km northwest of Gallup, New Mexico, is notable for its series of steep-sided canyons up to 1,000ft/300m deep.

In the main canyon are Spider Rock, the most striking rock formation, and the White House (constructed c. 1050, discovered in 1849), the best known of over a hundred cliff dwellings, mostly in inaccessible situations, which were occupied from around AD 350 to 1300. Other cliff dwellings are the Antelope House and Mummy Cave (in which mummies were found) in the Canyon del Muerto.

In 1864 the Navajo entrenched themselves in the canyons, and the tall cliff known as the Navajo Fortress, the last stronghold against the attacks of Kit Carson's men, in which more than 300 Navajo were besieged and starved out, is a sacred place which may not be entered by whites. There is an informative archeological museum in the Visitor Center, and there are various guided tours and walks. The only trail open to visitors without a guide is the 2.5mi/4km long White House Trail.