Navajo Nation: Window Rock, Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley

Route description

From Gallup, drive north on US-491 and west on NM-264 into Arizona to Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, about 40 km away. See the rock arch, the Code Talkers memorial and the Navajo Nation Museum. Unlike the rest of Arizona, the Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time, so check the clock for tour times in summer. Alcohol is banned throughout the reservation.

Continue west on AZ-264 to Ganado and Hubbell Trading Post, still trading rugs and jewelry since 1878. Then drive north on US-191 to Chinle and Canyon de Chelly. The monument is free and its two rim drives, North and South, are paved, each with several overlooks. To go down into the canyon, hike the White House Trail or book a jeep or horse tour with an authorized Navajo guide. Cottonwood Campground is near the visitor center.

From Chinle, US-191 heads north to Many Farms, where Navajo Route 59 cuts northwest to US-160. Turn west toward Kayenta and continue past it to AZ-564 and Navajo National Monument, about 210 km from Chinle. From the visitor center, a paved trail leads to an overlook of Betatakin, an Ancestral Puebloan village in an alcove. The monument has a small free campground at 2,200 m.

Return to Kayenta and take US-163 north for 40 km to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which charges its own entry fee. The 27 km Valley Drive is unpaved, bumpy dirt, fine for cars driven slowly but closed to motorhomes; guided tours from the visitor center go further. Continue on US-163 over the Utah line to the small town of Mexican Hat on the San Juan River.