Panoramic view of Canyon de Chelly from the Sliding House Overlook on Canyon de Chelly National Monument’s South Rim Drive

SOUTH RIM DRIVE

STOP 5: SLIDING HOUSE OVERLOOK

The fifth stop on South Rim Drive at Canyon de Chelly National Monument (pronounced de Shay) is Sliding House Overlook. A trail on the north side of the parking lot leads to the rim of the canyon and two viewing areas. The route is marked with white arrows painted on boulders and on the broken slickrock that makes up the trail’s surface. The terrain is rough and there is a set of steps along the way, making the overlook inaccessible for wheelchairs and anyone else with mobility issues. Round trip from the parking lot is about a quarter mile. Allow 20 minutes for a visit.

Arrow-lined path to the Sliding House Overlook on South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Arrows painted on a boulder point the way to the Sliding House Overlook on South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Rock steps on the path to the Sliding House Overlook on South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument

While there are two official observation areas with stone walls to keep people from falling into the canyon, there is plenty of room to wander around pretty much anywhere along the rim. Be aware that cliffs in this area are 700 feet tall and that there are no rock walls or other barriers to keep idiots from falling to their deaths. If you are an idiot, stick to the official overlooks. And parents, please remember the timeless words of Marv, the Wet Bandit: “Kids are stupid.” So be sure to keep your kids away from the rim as well.

Stone-wall viewing area and ample space along the canyon rim at the Sliding House Overlook on Canyon de Chelly’s South Rim Drive

For a view of the Sliding House ruins, head to the official observation area on the left side of the overlook. Sliding House is on the far side of Canyon de Chelly and to the right. It sits a hundred feet or so above the floor and occupies two alcoves in the canyon wall. The ruins are in the shadow for most of the day, making it tough to get a clear view.

Location of the Sliding House ruins when standing at the left-side viewpoint at the Sliding House Overlook, Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Sliding House was home to the Ancestral Puebloan people from around 900 to 1200 AD. At one point, this was a mid-size village with somewhere between 30 and 50 rooms. It gets its name because some of it slid off the ledge and down into the canyon. This was happening even when the Ancestral Puebloans lived here.

View of the left half of the Sliding House ruins from the Sliding House Overlook on South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument

View of the right half of the Sliding House ruins from the Sliding House Overlook on South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument

You can also see a homestead on the canyon floor. A few Navajo people still live in Canyon de Chelly today, and they typically occupy the homes during the warmer months while growing crops. Most families will abandon the canyon during the winter and move to the rim where it is warmer and closer to available firewood.

Navajo homestead on the canyon floor at Sliding House Overlook on the South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument

The right-side observation area is for views into the canyon only. You cannot see Sliding House from here.

View of Canyon de Chelly from the right-side observation area of the Sliding House Overlook on South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument

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