RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

We were driving around the Canyon in a snow blizzard in April, after passing through Monument Valley the previous day. The Canyon gets my vote.

Kingman

Yesterday, I just returned from Monument Valley (MV) and Canyon de Chelly. We spent one night at Monument Valley (stayed at he Executive Cabins of The View Hotel specifically for the sunrise). We ended up with essentially two private photo tours with the Carlos Philips Photography Tours (no one else signed up, so it was private). The tours afforded us access to areas of MV not allowed the public alone. While it's now July, it was very warm for the sunset tour that started at 5 PM and ended at 8 PM. We were to return to the main public parking area for actual sunset. The location at public parking lot is one of the best and classic locations for sunset. The sunrise tour started at 5 AM and ended at 8 AM. This trip was more comfortable in the pre-dawn hours. The actual sunrise shot was at the Totem Pole. After sunrise, we toured again areas simply not accessible to the public, where we saw numerous arches and petroglyphs. Since we missed sunrise at our cabin (my original idea), I'd take the sunrise tour over the sunset one. Complements to Toolui, our Navajo photo guide (sorry for the spelling). An astro photo tour was offered however it was the wrong time of the month when we were there. There is a public dirt road down into MV that allow limited access to certain areas. This road was crowded and heavily rutted. While 4WD is not required, I did not take our AWD vehicle into the valley since we were driven down with our tours. This road in MV is far worse that the dirt road through Valley of the Gods (see below).

The next day was a quick "drive by" in the heat of the day of Canyon de Chelly. We arrived in time for the dramatic solar noon lighting of the "White House" cliff face (aka Ansel Adams). Since the heat of Monument Valley had taken a lot out of me, we did not take the 1.5+ mile hike (one way) down to the White House trail. This is the only trail that allows the public into the canyon itself. The various turn outs from above the canyon affords great views but the lighting probably needs to be later in the day for more shadows. The canyon itself is very narrow, so the lighting will be far different than MV. Spider Rock Lookout from above afforded an interesting perspective, but an early or late lighting shot would have been be more interesting. While I've heard mixed reviews about the tours inside Canyon de Chelly, I am not sure how much they'd cater to photography.

One site that is free and without restrictions is just north of MV called Valley of the Gods. This 17 mile drive on a dirt road (4WD not required) affords a drive through interesting buttes and scenery. I want to do this one again early or late in the day and perhaps at night for astro shots.

At the end of the day, I'd want to return to Valley of the Gods for sunrise and sunset and perhaps astro work (there was a small Bed and Breakfast place within the Valley of the Gods I'd want to check out). I'd spend possibly two days at MV and not miss the sunrise from the cabins, and also try some astro work with the photo tour. I'd also spend a night or more time at Canyon de Chelly to do the hike down into the canyon for shots of the White House. I would do this ideally in winter or early spring during new moon to possibly have snow on the ground for a wonderful contrasting perspective of the predominately red rocks.

To answer your question, if you've been to MV, by all means, skip it and go do Canyon de Chelly and do the Valley of the Gods on the way to Canyon de Chelly. Good shooting and enjoy!

williejoha

Go to Canyon De Chelley. Very interesting plus you can hike down into the canyon and get to the most interesting spot that way, or you can pay $200 and go on the Cheep tour. Hiking offers more shooting opportunities. Down is easy, coming out of the Canyon you need to be in fairly good shape. Worth your while.
WJH

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

been to both and have pics of canyon de chelly from the rim and from the down in the canyon tour. The views from down in the canyon are much more magnificent than those from the rim...

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Get one of the Navajos to take you on horseback into the canyon. They have jeep rides, but the horses can take you places the jeeps can't. On horseback, changing lenses is not possible, so an 18 - 300 equivalent is your best bet. There is a nice little motel with the horse corral just out back.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Do something you haven't; Canyon de Chelly. Not only will it give you something fresh to shoot, while you are shooting it, it may give you ideas how to shoot previous areas like Monument Valley differently.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

I always hate it when people do this, but let me suggest a third possibility: the Apache Trail. I've been to Monument Valley (but so have you) and Canyon de Chelly; both are wonderful but a bit of a trek from Phoenix. When we went to Phoenix last Christmas, we tried something new: after having meandered all over southern Arizona, we stayed close to our hotel and took a trip to the The Apache Trail. We'd never been there before and hadn't heard much about it. It's spectacular. The scenery is stunning, the photo pull-off stations are great, and the tranquility is a welcome change. I can't wait to get back; the next time I'll be sure to start with a full tank of gas so I can follow it farther east. It begins to the south of Phoenix and runs due east.

By the way--I've already broken my promise to never jump into anyone's request with tangential comments, so what the hell--if you've never been to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, do it. I can barely play the radio, but its collection and presentation of musical instruments from all over the world is unmatched. It's a huge place--don't pencil it in for an hour's quick run--but it's a place you'll think about for a long, long time. Your traveling companions will think you're a genius for taking them there.

Have a great trip.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

You can hike down from near the White House overlook, But it is a pretty good hike. Probably about a mile down. I have done it 3 times when my arthritis didn't bother me so much. It is worth the hike.

louparker Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Since you said you've been to Monument Valley "a number of times" and you have "never been to Canyon de Chelly," it should be a no-brainer that you do CDC instead of MV. Besides, I agree that it is more interesting and more photogenic.

cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA

Both are amazing places, but if you haven't been to Canyon de Chelly I'd say it's time. Besides the road turnoffs you can walk down to White House Ruins. I recommend hiring a guide to explore in the canyon and there is a place nearby called 3 Turkey Ruins, see if you can get a tour there, it's amazing!

jlb0725

I have been on a tour in Canyon De Chelly and I think you would like it, we loved it. You will see ruins and beautiful rock formations. We had plenty of opportunities to take photos. There are Navajo families still living in the canyon so you are not allowed to venture on your own. I would suggest your book your tour before you leave home. Many people are traveling this time of year. Have fun & enjoy.

Gallopingphotog

Canyon de Chelly. You can hike down to one ruin; otherwise you need a guide. Ours was excellent. We did the jeep tour. TJ asked what we were interested in. I photograph petroglyphs and pictographs so he took us to Canyon del Muerto where the rock art is amazing Do take a lens with some reach because most of the cliff dwellings are high on the cliffs.

Gallopingphotog

Forgot to say that the drive around the rim is also a “must do.” Fantastic views of formations such as Spider Rock.

harveyalt

Having lived in Arizona for 15 years, and having visited both places, I can say that you should visit the place you have not yet been. Canyon de Chelly is nothing like Monument Valley. The upper roadways are open for regular passenger cars, and provide magnificent views of the canyon walls and floor. There are several cave dwellings on the canyon walls, and most of these are best seen from the rim drives. To photograph these dwellings, a long lens is required. I carried an 18-200 lens on this trip, and it was just right for both the canyon floor and the overlooks. You can steady yourself against the outcroppings at the overlooks. The only place hiking is allowed is down to the White House Ruin. As I recall, this is a 3 mile hike each way. I think that height change is about 600 feet. To tour the canyon floor, you must take one of the Navajo tour operators. We rode in an open truck, and had a great time with a very knowledgeable guide. You will get just as close to the White House Ruin as you would if you hiked in. If you have the time, you can take a horseback ride from one of the native stables. Be advised, the horses are not afraid to go very close to the edge.

SpecialED Loc: East Texas

Canyon De Chelly