View of Canyon de Chelly from the Spider Rock Overlook on the South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
The canyon within Canyon de Chelly National Monument (pronounced de Shay) is shaped like a sideways Y with the mouth of the Y facing east. Canyon de Chelly is the southeastern fork of the Y and Canyon del Muerto the northeastern fork. South Rim Drive starts at the Visitor Center and follows the rim of Canyon de Chelly. There are seven overlooks along the way that offer panoramic views of the surrounding canyons. You can do the entire scenic drive, a 37-mile round trip, and stop at all of the overlooks in about 2.5 hours.
South Rim Drive Map (click to enlarge)
From the seven overlooks, visitors can see four named rock formations and four named archeological sites. Some overlooks offer better views than others, and you should expect to spend anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes at each one. There is a trail at the White House Overlook that leads to the White House ruins at the bottom of the canyon (White House Trail). Add two hours to the scenic drive if you plan to hike the trail.
Because Canyon de Chelly National Monument is entirely on Navajo lands, one of the agreements between the National Park Service and the Navajo is the authorization of “roadside concessions.” Navajo artists and vendors can sell their goods at the overlook parking areas provided they are sold from the vendor’s vehicle and not from tables or blankets set up on the sidewalks or at the overlooks themselves (though many vendors do not follow the rules). It is highly likely that you will encounter at least one roadside concession while visiting the overlooks. The few that I came across were selling handmade jewelry and artwork.
Navajo artist Alan Bíe shows his artwork at the Spider Rock Overlook, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
The following is a list of overlooks, complete with photos of the views. The overlooks are listed from west to east. At the bottom of each page is a menu that connects to the next and previous stops on the scenic drive.
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Last updated on March 18, 2026
