The Welcome Center at Canyon de Chelly National Monument
OPERATING HOURS
The Canyon de Chelly National Monument Welcome Center is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM, except when closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Keep in mind that times can always change, so be sure to check the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the latest schedule.
AMENITIES
- Ranger-staffed information desk where you can ask questions and pick up a park brochure
- Book and souvenir store
- Park film
- Exhibit area
- Outdoor exhibits
- Restrooms
OUTDOOR EXHIBITS
There are replicas of two traditional Navajo dwellings at the Canyon de Chelly Welcome Center: a hogan and a summer shelter. Hogans are typically octagonal or dome-shaped, with timber walls and a roof covered with packed earth. They are built with the door facing east to welcome the rising sun, which is believed to bring good fortune.
Traditional Navajo hogan at the Welcome Center, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
A summer shelter, often called a brush arbor, is a temporary, open-sided structure used for shade and ventilation during hot weather. It is constructed from vertical wooden poles and features a flat roof. The walls and roof are covered with brush or branches.
Traditional Navajo summer shelter at the Welcome Center, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
Plan to spend about 30 to 45 minutes at the Canyon de Chelly National Monument Welcome Center. This gives you enough time to watch the 22-minute film on the history of Canyon de Chelly, check out the exhibit area, and talk with a Ranger about what there is to see and do at the park.
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Last updated on February 28, 2026
