Canyon de Chelly camping

[punkin_]

We will be in the Canyon de Chelly area in mid-August 2017 and would like to stop for a 1-2 night visit.

It appears the Cottonwood Campground at the Monument is the best (and almost only) option for overnight accommodations near the monument.

I know it will be hot, will be traveling in a 36' motorhome with a generator which we can use during the day if needed.

Reviews of the campground on the internet are mixed, with some people stating they didn't feel safe at the monument. If we use common sense and take reasonable precautions, as we should always do when traveling, should we feel uncomfortable staying here for a couple nights?

Also, I have a list of the guided tour operators, can anyone make a recommendation for a specific one they enjoyed?

Thank you for any info provided.

[2gypsies1]

We've never felt unsafe at Cottonwood campground. The National Park Service has their headquarters right there. Spider Rock campground is the one we would avoid.

It's an awesome park and if you can, arrange for a tour of it on the canyon floor. We did horseback and loved it. Our Navajo guide was very informative.

[Bumpyroad]

that reminds me,I don't think you can drive into the canyon that you have to hire a local for the tour. don't know if reservations are necessary but could ask ahead of time at the campground.
bumpy

[Finally_Time]

Stayed at Cottonwood campground three weeks ago. Did not encounter anything that made me feel unsafe. The sites are asphalt as well as the roads. "Wild flowers" (weeds)separate the sites. Some are shaded by the cottonwood trees, others are in full sun. They are not crowded together. Friends and I took a half day jeep tour of the canyon. The river was running high and fast so we had to stay in the northern Canyon Del Morte. A good part of the time we were driving in the river. It was a great tour, saw several ruins, lots of petroglyphs, the guide was very knowledgeable.

[Bumpyroad]

Busskipper wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
and don't overpay for the "turquoise" jewelry at these roadside stands. Much of it is not solid stone but compressed pieces. My friend at work warned me about that since he lived in the area and was very familiar with the "scam".
bumpy

Again Bumpy, Sorry for your experience, not even close to mine.

Not that I've never been Scammed (I've Been invested in Wall Street, need I say More) more often by someone with a degree and wearing a Suit, not a person, working hard to make a few dollars.

Guess it's like they say - some see the Glass 1/2 empty - we've always seen the Glass 1/2 FULL.

Thank full for the people to talk with, and still have the Jewelry -"Beautiful "Turquoise" and all.

Hope, no Think most people have shared My experience and Have Loved and Enjoy this Beautiful Place.

JMHO,

I had no "bad" experience because I was forewarned. My only point is don't pay solid turquoise prices for compressed turquoise. if somebody wants to ignore that warning, they can go right ahead.

and the mention of Spider rock reminds me that was one of the most impressive overlooks I have seen, even if you don't camp there.
bumpy

[Busskipper]

Bumpyroad wrote:
and don't overpay for the "turquoise" jewelry at these roadside stands. Much of it is not solid stone but compressed pieces. My friend at work warned me about that since he lived in the area and was very familiar with the "scam".
bumpy

Again Bumpy, Sorry for your experience, not even close to mine.

Not that I've never been Scammed (I've Been invested in Wall Street, need I say More) more often by someone with a degree and wearing a Suit, not a person, working hard to make a few dollars.

Guess it's like they say - some see the Glass 1/2 empty - we've always seen the Glass 1/2 FULL.

Thank full for the people to talk with, and still have the Jewelry -"Beautiful "Turquoise" and all.

Hope, no Think most people have shared My experience and Have Loved and Enjoy this Beautiful Place.

JMHO,

[BarryG20]

Canyon De Chelly is an awesome park though not your typical park. Unsafe, never felt that way but I would make sure my vehicle is locked. Nothing like seeing the local school surrounded by and 8 foot chain link fence topped with barb wire. It is a very poor area. The campground should not be an issue. There is another campground way up the southern side called Spider Rock. It is I would call very rustic but it is a great location. No the spots are not large, no there aren't hookups, the road within is tight in areas but at least when we have been there few if any people and off the beaten path quite secluded. It is actually quite dumpy looking when you pull in but I loved the place. must be the seclusion I liked. Have stayed there a few times. I suspect most people wouldn't care for it.

There are a variety of tour operators that run the Shake And Bake Tours with seats in the back of a truck or a deuce and half. You can also go in the canyon if you hire a local guide. Just make sure your vehicle can handle the sand and that you have room for the guide as he rides in your vehicle. IF you like horseback rides there are a couple vendors that do that. I have no idea about the short ones but we have done it a couple times in the fall when the leaves are changing and cooler, it is an all day deal. They trailer the horses to Bat Canyon you ride cross country for a bit then down into Bat Canyon which leads into the main canyon (the decent into Bat Canyon is not for the faint of heart as it is a somewhat steep trail). Once in the main canyon you go past Spider Rock, White House Ruins etc and on down canyon to the mouth. 6 or 7 hour ride The ride is spectacular imho. You take your own water and lunch.

[Bumpyroad]

and don't overpay for the "turquoise" jewelry at these roadside stands. Much of it is not solid stone but compressed pieces. My friend at work warned me about that since he lived in the area and was very familiar with the "scam".
bumpy

[jhlady]

I was there three weekends ago, not in my motorhome, but on a motorcycle. Yes we got snowed on, but you won't have that problem in August. The campground is dry camping and looked adequate. We took the half day guided tour and felt it was well worth the price. The next day we did both the North and South rim drives. Get ready for some walking/hiking depending on how far down into the canyon you decided to go. The scenery is awesome. We stayed at the Thunderbird Lodge which although old, was clean, quite and comfortable. It was nice to have the cafeteria on-site so we didn't have to drive into town for food. If you require hook-up camping you will probably have to stay down in Holbrook, AZ and commute up to the Canyon. About an hour + drive.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip and stay cool in August!

[DownTheAvenue]

I was there many years ago, and would go back again without hesitation. I saw nothing wrong with the campground. As I remember, it was without hook ups, asphalt roads and parking areas, dusty, and without any large trees. But that is typical for that area of the country and most National Park campgrounds. I saw no safety issues. In the morning a lady knocked on my door selling Native American food for breakfast. A welcome change from normal morning fare.

[Busskipper]

Bumpyroad wrote:
will you have a toad? will you be taking that motorhome around to all of the various overlooks? I think most of them will accommodate the MH but check google world before you try it.
If you have/use a toad the parking lots at the overlooks can be quite a walk from the actual overlook. If you pull into a lot and there is an old rusty beat up pickup sitting there you may want to leave one person in the toad/rv while the other one goes down to the overlook. when I got back to my car there was paint chipped off the door pillar where somebody had tried to break in to it with a slim jim. don't know about security for the motorhome.
yes, been there, done that.
bumpy

Bumpy,

We had a different experience, we went over to the car to talk with the older woman there and were able to buy all our Christmas gifts.

The people/locals/owners of the land the National Monument sits on, will often sit in the parking lot selling their artwork and jewelry. While we were there not only were we able to Buy, and at great prices, great items we actually had a few pieces made while we were driving around the Monument.

Sorry to hear you did not have a good experience, as we have never had anything but Good Memories of the visit, as I think it is just a special place.

JMHO,

[Bumpyroad]

will you have a toad? will you be taking that motorhome around to all of the various overlooks? I think most of them will accommodate the MH but check google world before you try it.
If you have/use a toad the parking lots at the overlooks can be quite a walk from the actual overlook. If you pull into a lot and there is an old rusty beat up pickup sitting there you may want to leave one person in the toad/rv while the other one goes down to the overlook. when I got back to my car there was paint chipped off the door pillar where somebody had tried to break in to it with a slim jim. don't know about security for the motorhome.
yes, been there, done that.
bumpy

[Busskipper]

IDman wrote:
It is not a place that we would stay!

Have you been?

[Busskipper]

punkin' wrote:

We will be in the Canyon de Chelly area in mid-August 2017 and would like to stop for a 1-2 night visit.

It appears the Cottonwood Campground at the Monument is the best (and almost only) option for overnight accommodations near the monument.

I know it will be hot, will be traveling in a 36' motorhome with a generator which we can use during the day if needed.

....>>>>.... Heat would be my only worry -

Reviews of the campground on the internet are mixed, with some people stating they didn't feel safe at the monument.

....>>>>.... I would be interested as to why they did not feel safe?

If we use common sense and take reasonable precautions, as we should always do when traveling, should we feel uncomfortable staying here for a couple nights?

....>>>>.... I can't speak for you but we go out of our way to visit - for me it feels Spiritual, I love the place and the people.

Also, I have a list of the guided tour operators, can anyone make a recommendation for a specific one they enjoyed?

I can't recommend anyone by name but last april my brother did a coast to coast trip and that was his favorite stop, and he love the guided tour and all the additional info he gained from taking it.

Thank you for any info provided.

Comments about safety are generally because the place is not up to some standard,- you are just around the corner from the Motel Rooms and the Site Resturant.

Enjoy your trip and be sure to report back as to how you found it to be.

We have enjoyed it - I have recommended it often - no one that I have spoken to personally has ever had an issue with it - it is a special place.

Best of Luck,

Bing Map

[IDman]

It is not a place that we would stay!