View from Tunnel Overlook on the South Rim Drive at Canyon de Chelly National Monument
SOUTH RIM DRIVE
STOP 1: TUNNEL OVERLOOK
The first stop on South Rim Drive when departing from the Canyon de Chelly National Monument (pronounced de Shay) Visitor Center is the Tunnel Overlook. It offers a view into Tunnel Canyon, one of the many side canyons within the canyon system. This short, narrow section with walls only 300 feet tall feeds into Chinle Wash. The fallen boulders seen here are the result of the rapid flow of water millions of years ago that carried rocks and other sediment while cutting the canyon.
There is a view of Tunnel Canyon from the parking lot, but there is also an option to take a short, rocky path to an overlook platform. The trail starts on the right-hand side of the parking lot. It is one of the few overlooks on South Rim Drive that is not wheelchair accessible.
View from the Tunnel Overlook parking lot on South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Path leading to the Tunnel Overlook platform on the South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
The view from the platform is somewhat different, but it is no more beautiful than what you can see from the parking lot. I certainly do not recommend the short hike if walking is a problem or if you are short on time.
View from the observation platform at the Tunnel Overlook on the South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
The only reason to walk down to the platform is to hike the Tunnel Trail, which starts here. The trail leads two-thirds of a mile down to the canyon floor, and from there you can hike to First Ruins (3.5 miles, round trip), one of the many archeological sites within Canyon de Chelly National Monument. However, any non-Navajo visitors must hire an authorized Navajo guide to venture any farther than the overlook platform. The only trail in the park that is open to anyone is the White House Trail located at the White House Overlook another four miles farther east on South Rim Drive.
Staircase leading to the canyon floor at Tunnel Overlook on the South Rim Drive, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Hikers on the Tunnel Trail at Canyon de Chelly National Monument
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Last updated on March 18, 2026
