Canyon de Chelly

Leader: Don Keller and Dave Wilson
Dates: July 3–7,2009 (5 days / 4 nights)
Cost: $1055 Members / $1115 Nonmembers
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Cost includes transportation, all meals, and group gear.

The rich canyon bottoms and sculpted sandstone walls of Canyon de Chelly were oases to prehistoric Pueblo culture and home to the Navajo people from early historical times. Navajo guide Dave Wilson joins archaeologist Don Keller in a five-day exploration of this inner canyon world. A camp on the Wilson’s farm and orchard in the heart of Canyon del Muerto is a base for exploring the extensive canyon system. Four-wheel-drive day excursions with short side hikes and a full day hike up and over the canyon rim will take us through one of the Southwest’s outstanding concentrations of two-millennia-old Basketmaker rock art panels, Pueblo cliff dwellings, historical Navajo rock art, trail systems, and defensive sites. Around the mid-summer evening camp, enjoy conversations and discuss the history and lore of this unique and magical place.

Pre-Trip Information Packet (PDF Downloads)

» Equipment List [13 KB]
» Medical/Waiver [33 KB]

Don Keller and Dave Wilson Don Keller strives to help participants understand the landscapes, the resources they contain, and how these resources have been used over time to create human settlement... Read more…

Dave Wilson is a long-time Canyon de Chelly guide and founder of the Tsegi Guide Association. Read more…

“…You can count on me to recommend the MNA programs with enthusiasm!” —M.A

“I want to tell you what a fabulous time I had on the trip to Canyon de Chelly. I believe I left a piece of my heart in the canyon… I personally appreciated the time and knowledge they [the guides] imparted to me. Not only about the history and culture, but by allowing me to explore my own feelings with the landscape. It was truly magical.”—M.K.