Canyon de Chelly - National Park Lover Page

The black streaks on the sandstone walls above the White House Ruins. These streaks, known as desert varnish, are formed by seeping water, which reacts with iron in the sandstone. The iron is what gives the walls their reddish tint. To create the canyon's many petroglyphs, Ancestral Puebloan artists would chip away at the desert varnish. Later, the Navajo used paints to create pictographs of animals and historic events, such as the Spanish military expedition that killed 115 Navajo at Massacre Cave. Many of these petroglyphs and pictographs can be seen if you take one of the guided tours into the canyon. White House ruin probably received it's name from the white plaster that still clung to the walls of the upper pueblo when the ruins were discovered by early white explorers.

The sign above declares that the White House trail requires "No Guide Required Here Only". This is indeed the only ruin that you can visit within the park without a guide. The trek is about 2.5 miles round trip. Allow 3 hours.

From the White House Overlook you can see the 80-room White House Ruins, which are among the largest ruins in the canyon. This two level pueblo was inhabited between 1040 and 1275. From this overlook, you have the only opportunity to go down into Canyon de Chelly without a guide or ranger. The White House Ruins Trail descends 600 feet to the canyon floor, crosses Chinle Wash, and comes up next to the White House Ruins. The buildings of this ruin were constructed both on the canyon floor and 50 feet up the cliff wall in a small cave. Although you cannot enter the ruins, you can get close enough to get a good look. Do not wander off the trail, and please respect the privacy of those Navajo living there. The 2.5-mile round-trip hike takes about 2 hours, but I suggest that you allow three. Make sure to carry water.

Flock of Sheep in Canyon De Chelly
The trail leading from the top of the canyon walls down to the ruin is absolutely spectacular. Hikers making their way to the White House Ruins pass sheep grazing in the bottom of Canyon de Chelly. The Native Americans still raise their sheep here today.