Remote Adventures in the Four Corners Region! (SUV Camping/Vanlife Trips)

[@brettelmerelmer3061]

I was in Chinle a couple of years ago in November, and picked up a native gentleman who offered to give me a rim tour of the canyon in return for the ride. He lives just a quarter mile from the rim on the south arm of the canyon. From the Spider Rock overlook, he had me look from a specific spot, over the rim, and showed me his grandmother's house in the canyon. He told me a lot about the history and his family's involvement with the canyon. And to think I tried to talk him out of the tour he gave me because I was in the area on business. I'm grateful for his persistence, and the appreciation I got of a very important part of Navajo culture.

[@thomassheppard2690]

If you have the time, I highly recommend taking a tour of the canyon with a Navajo guide. You get a completely different perspective and appreciation for the area and people. It was wonderful!

[@SUVRVing]

I'd like that. I'll look into it on future trips, for sure. Thanks Thomas 👍

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Yesss! I heartily recommend it!

[@RicardoRoams]

I , too, spent a day with a Navajo guide. Well worth it!

[@vivianfirlein5219]

I went twice with a Navajo guide. The first was Johnson John. He rode in the vehicle with my husband and I and told of the lore and history of the canyon. Also answered my innumerable questions. When we discussed “clans” he told me I was of the “click clack” clan. His look at my busy camera told me why. His family had a summer dwelling there, and he knew everyone we encountered herding sheep or selling handmade wares. The second guide was a nephew of Johnson John, a young man working on summer break. He showed us places where hunters would scale the sheer canyon walls and return with the kill on their backs. He had tried successfully to ascend the walls himself. He also took us to petroglyphs panels to see up close and personal.

[@johnfarrelly4753]

The Navajo guides at all places are very knowledgable and patient. Riding on Army Duece and a quarters is very interesting. go for the day trip, though the second half is slow, you get to visit Spider Rock where the Navajo who held out from the Army moving them out of Navajo land to Fort Carson. Called the "Long March", 200 died because the Army was afraid of them. they ended up sitting at Ft. Carson for 2 years before being allowed to March back to to Canyon D'Chelley

[@steveflaim2656]

I really liked the zoom-in close ups of the various ruins. I've been to these places but I got more out of your video than I did being there in person. I also enjoyed the muffler art. Thanks for finding and highlighting these interesting places!

[@SUVRVing]

Glad you liked it, Steve! Thanks for watching.

[@gibsonrocker17]

Canyon de Chelly's an incredible place! That's cool that you got to see it with snow. I've only been there once before, but I got to enjoy it and watch the storms roll in from the rim. It's definitely a mystical place and it's easy to see why it's so coveted amongst the Natives.

[@boscomac2434]

Enjoyed the tour... it would be interesting to have a Navajo guide explain the history of the area. Until next time... stay safe!👍

[@janedelaney7]

As a photography student in the spring of 1978, I visited Canyon de Chelly during a road trip to the four corners area. It was eerily quiet, yet beautiful. At that time, the fence did not exist and I was able to see the ruins up close. Times have changed and places like these need to be protected...unfortunately, from humans. Thanks for sharing.

[@SUVRVing]

It would have been really interesting to visit back then. Thanks Jane!

[@mrjake2132]

Love the music and the sites. Watching while riding my exercise bike while on quarantine in Birmingham, AL. Wish I was there!

[@pawlet]

The energy from the canyon is palpable.

[@bobsharpe9241]

A very wonderful blessing this has been. My daughter Michelle, who goes by Shelly, and I have big trip planned for this summer to camp the Utah National Parks. Our last big stop was to be The North Rim of GC. Then three days drive back to Austin TX, with the 1st day thru the Navajo Nation down into Gallup NM. Wow, we have to add at least another day to take in 'Canyon de Chelly National Monument' !! And it's all so awesome, even though we need to pronounce it canyon de 'shea'. My daughter is so excited. Thanks so very much Tristan -- beautiful and very well done !!

[@kathleenh3975]

Spider Rock is where Spider Woman gave the Navajo the gift of weaving.

[@SUVRVing]

Ah, I didn't know that. Thanks Kathleen.

[@jackbyrd381]

I love seeing the out of the way places. That's the kind of exploration travel I enjoyed in the past. It's sad to see the vandalism on the ruins at the White House site. It shows how some people are totally disconnected from nature and history. I saw your post that the trail is closed due to further vandal activity. No wonder the Navajo restrict access.

[@SUVRVing]

I agree, it's sad. Thanks for watching, Jack.

[@Deanna52ish]

I love Canyon de Chelly, even more than the Grand Canyon. I was there for 2 days last May. Hiking into the canyon to see White House was my highlight. When I went it was crazy, windy. Thanks for sharing Tristan.

[@SUVRVing]

It's a great place, for sure. Thanks Deanna!

[@jennyriede5372]

That’s for sharing. Liked the four corners monument.

[@johnwitkowski6596]

REALLY ENJOYED this video. The quack sign made me laugh. The muffler art was really cute. Your Four Corner States Monument - "angel" also made me laugh. And the scenery at Canyon de Chelly National Monument was absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks John, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@rnelsontn]

I hiked down to White House ruins back in 1979 and was able to explore all inside the lower and upper ruins. There was no fence. It was amazing.

[@jamesbaden7411]

Spider Rock was featured in the movie Mackenna's Gold eaturing Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, Telly Savalas, Ted Cassidy, Camilla Sparv and Julie Newmar in lead roles.

[@odfarmboy]

We toured the canyon with our guide Benny. He showed us the cave where he used to make goat milk cheese when he was a boy.

[@KiwiLlizNZ]

Definitely my favourite part ( as with all your videos ) is your photography. Just brilliant. As a NZer I am loving learning about these historical sites that I had never heard of before now. Thank you so much.

[@markg3025]

Muffler city was very cute and fun.

[@kellyjohnson3617]

Four corners is very incredible with its rock formations and history. I really want to add canyon de chelley and arches and Mesa verde one day. Thanks for giving me a preview of the four corners

[@cia1204]

The art I loved in this was that done by the hand of God! What amazing rock walls that look like hardened taffy! Thanks for taking us on this journey!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching, Marcia!

[@reggiebald2830]

Amazing ruins! Especially those midway up a cliff face! I do wish I'd visited some of these places while I was still able. All the more appreciation for your efforts!

[@jeffMinnesota952]

Nice in the canyon, I want to go there...thanks for sharing

[@erindunebuggy9772]

Nice one....Been there back in '68-69 when it was really pristine and open. Used to bring supplies to the Res every Spring to help out so we had access up close. Those were amazing times in Monument Valley back in the day.....Ride on.💕💕🌎🌎👣🐾😎

[@JuiceBoxScott]

I've always just used a beach towel to cover my windshield.

[@bettybrigance6784]

I so much want to go there, thanks for sharing

[@Tatdude1957]

Haven't seen Canyon de Chelly since I was about 10... some 50 years ago when we lived in Tucson. Nice video to reflect!

[@anthonyserba9866]

I went down the White House trail in the summer of 1972. When I got to the bottom there was water in the wash so I just left my shoes by the bank at the end of the trail. Could not see the ruin so I went off to my right - the wrong way - came back, found the ruin, which was not fenced in those days. When I came back to the trail, there was a youngish couple with a 10 or 11 year old daughter and they were close to a state of panic. "Where is the ruin, " "What are we going to do if you break you leg'", were among their many wails. So I told them which way to go and recommended going barefoot. I faithfully hope they did not break any important bones.

[@SUVRVing]

Lol thanks for sharing, Anthony!

[@naturalcare2373]

Thanks for the video, after your videos, my mind starts working on , planing for my next trip.

[@aviziv8721]

Did you see the face image on the rock at 11:58?

[@SupremeCavalry]

You make physical distancing wonderful❤️

[@SUVRVing]

😁

[@gbro8822]

Great video, as always. Stay safe my friend.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks 👍

[@davidhalley5963]

Great vid as usual, the Sense of open space and nature but also humanity that moves around it. I like knowing the history of a place I'm exploring. The ruins are marvelous and show a much overlooked complex society before Europeans turned up.

[@dddhhh2612]

Enjoying this video. That is one heck of a zoom lens you're using!

[@karlynnelangerak4549]

Thank you I needed to see home! Wonderful! Really enjoyed it!

[@teslah2997]

I passed right by Canyon de Chelly in 2014.....i was going to a wedding in Westcliffe CO and didn’t have time to stop.....I was bummed....hopefully, I will get back.......so glad I got to see it with you

[@ursinidaho]

Wow! At 11:59 in this video, check out the eye looking right at you. It looks like a face!! You make great videos, Tristan! Cheers to your next adventures!

[@brindahoward4527]

Loved it! The history is sad but I was not surprised

[@cathymaxcy3391]

I have been to Canyon de Chelly, (in Spanish the double ll makes the y sound). We went on a full day guided tour and got to see all the cliff dwellings up close. The guide wasn't Navajo, he was Mexican. I noticed it right away and teased him about it. He flirted with me the rest of the time. It was fun.

[@janernn]

That canyon hike was awesome! The muffler art was cool too

[@thecaptain6994]

I’ve always wondered what that place was like after reading about it. Thanks for doing the video.

[@hirotiki9578]

Great video! Ty for posting it.

[@tomwestbrook]

From the ruins you can see where the idea for the adobe architecture in the area came from originally. I asking got a native tour when I did a photo workshop with John Sexton 10 or so years ago. It’s an impressive place.

[@kimprocarione5473]

I loved the mufflee art! I've been close to the 4 corners monument but haven't made the side trip, and I have regret,

[@travelingsissyb6576]

Thank you for your videos, I truly enjoy them.

[@soulrebel2]

Just got back from exploring this area. Thanks for videos amazing sights and culture.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@beach3girl459]

Loved the vulture shovels at the folk art display, the "Tristan angels" at Four Corners and, of course, the vistas and ruins. Awesome adventure!

[@SUVRVing]

I liked the vulture shovels too! Thanks for watching.

[@ka509]

Canyon views are awesome! I think t 1969 movie MacKennas Gold included those towers. Gregory Peck n other big names were in t movie. Not the best movie but much better than what Hollywood has put out in t last 15 years. I bet your travels take you to many former film locations. Good work!

[@crazymema23]

Thanks for sharing your adventures. It gives us new ideas for our travels.

[@SUVRVing]

Great! Thanks for watching

[@yowill405]

Thanks for another great video. This one took me down memory lane having visited the canyon ca 2002 on a SW hiking trip with my daughter (she lived in BC and I in NJ) We had never been in SW territory before. Fell in love and moved to NM the following year. We particularly loved this canyon. It was before the 'fence' and met a lovely young Navajo man who gave us the tour and also sold us some of his rock art! It was March and no one else but us until, while walking the trail that oversees spider rock, met an elderly gentleman who was there to spread his wife's ashes into the wind as it was one of her favorite spots to stop each year when they transitioned to their winter snowbirds areas. Just he, his dog and us. It was a very spiritual experience watching the 'puff' of a human being floating away in the air. Quick note: while in NM I fostered many Navajo children who loved to go camping. And we did often. And to my surprise, having the Navajo boys, we were allowed FREE camping whenever on Navajo land. I'm back in beautiful BC now but do SW camping whenever I can!!

[@bobross9623]

Haha...snow angel in only place in US where you can be in 4 states at once! (but I'm sure you know that). Yes, like "shea butter." Impressive views of cliff dwellings & desert varnish! I forgot how similar they look to Mesa Verde. 5 stars! I'm almost ready to convert my 2014 Forester to a mini RVer. Thanks.

[@SUVRVing]

Definitely do it! A Forester is a great adventuremobile!

[@craiglenhard-rvrguyd]

I'm sure some climber saw those two rock spires and said to themselves, "I need to climb that some time".

[@roypointanderson8468]

I've got a couple of suggestions. If you havn't been to Hovenweep, that's really worth while. The main ruins by the visitor center are impressive, but there are 4 outlying ruins they say you need 4 wheel to get to, (I got to all of them in a standard Toyota truck). The Holly and Cajon Group's are really cool, and you'll probably be the only one there.

[@harrychandler6670]

I first visited Canyon de Chelly in 1980. I spent the night in the back of my Chevette at the Spider Rock overlook. I expected someone to drive up at any time to tell me to move along....but nobody did. I was able to enjoy sunset and sunrise at Spider Rock. I then also did the hike down to White House Ruin. Is there still a Burger King, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, at the intersection outside of the park? I thought that was a nice source of jobs for the tribe.

[@jules9628]

Beautiful! I was fortunate once to go visit. I may be mistaken but I think it’s said like Canyon de SHAY -maybe thats incorrect but I recall the locals talking about it as such. Anyway another fabulous fun video. The colors out west are burned in my mind forever

[@c.s.thorogood203]

Been There. Very interesting place. Telephoto/zoom shots are very good. Mind letting us know what the equipment use is. Thanks.

[@SUVRVing]

All the gear I use, including camera gear, is listed on the "Gear I Use" page on my website, and a link to it is in the description of each video. Thanks for watching.

[@c.s.thorogood203]

@@SUVRVing Thank You

[@mikesaunders4775]

A very good profile of a fantastic place.The ruins were amazing and if Mesa Verde is more impressive then they must be something exceptional.

[@SUVRVing]

Both places are worth visiting, for sure. Thanks Mike!

[@markdoyle9184]

Brilliant just brilliant can you park anywhere or does it have to be a campground?

[@merg2928]

Love your videos thank you for sharing.I live in Arizona do a lot of hiking, I found your channel a while ago, looking for new places to go. FYI The Canyon de Chelly, a National Monument in northern Arizona, is pronounced "can-yun duh shay."

[@dannyburrell4014]

I was there about 5 months so different from my home in South Carolina.

[@kcculp6430]

If you think Canyon de Chelly is pretty in the winter, you should see it in the spring / summer. I toured this area on a motorcycle trip in 2007, including the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, and I thought that Canyon was the most beautiful thing I had seen in the area.

[@SUVRVing]

I've been in both winter and spring. Thanks for watching 👍

[@dj33036]

For me Spider Rock alone is worth the trip. It rises 750 feet from the canyon floor, that's 120 feet taller than our tallest National Monument, the St. Louis Gateway Arch. The time of day you were there did not lend itself well for photography but I would describe in no less than spectacular!

[@SUVRVing]

I agree! It's amazing. Thanks for watching 👍

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

Great video, as always. Wish I was there right now! I usually do an extended (sometimes as long as a month) camping trip in the four corners area in the spring and/fall, just generally wandering around as you do…Can’t wait to get back there… Keep the videos coming…

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Bill!

[@tibthibedeau8899]

HI TRISTAN, One thing that I think should be emphasized is "boon docking" or "dispersed camping" is NOT ALLOWED on Navajo Nation land. You must stay in one of the few established campsites. Note the following which I copied from a Navajo Nation website: "Camping is allowed in designated areas of the Navajo Nation. Permits are required and can be obtained through the Navajo Parks and Recreations website at navajonationparks.org. You will also be required to abide by the rules when camping and any violation to the rules is considered trespassing on Federal Indian Reservation." I've been told, but I cannot confirm, If caught camping in anyplace other then a designated campsite, the Navajo authorities can confiscate your vehicle and all of it's contents. That would not be fun in my way of thinking. Thanks for your VLOGs. TIB

[@kathleenh3975]

Lol! I know exactly where you are! I live near Chinle! You drove past my apartments.

[@SUVRVing]

Ah, cool! 😁

[@atlantisfunktions]

I wonder how the heck they got up in some of them face rock in particular!

[@kcculp6430]

The legend is that the U.S. Army, led by Kit Carson (?), went to Canyon de Chelly, to round up the Indians. However, when they got there, there were no Indians to be found. Supposedly, the entire village climbed to the top of Spider Rock and hid until the army left.

[@madelynrobinson1222]

Love Cortez!

[@keitholsen3109]

Loved your video. You pronounce it canyon de shay though. great video!

[@randysmith6493]

Again, love the views of cliff dwellings. wondering why on some of them, was it rain and snow protection of defensive from other native group tribes. When I see the carvings of names from late 1800’s and early 1900’s on the walls , I have the urge to mix up some red mud and cover that up, it’s like graffiti to me, and I hate that.

[@johnmcdonald1306]

it's a shame that those ruins were fenced off as I would like to explore the cavern as well

[@lindabarker7142]

I liked watching you exploring the ruins

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Linda!

[@susanhowell1673]

Bet that canyon is haunted as hell.

[@SUVRVing]

While browsing the Canyon de Chelly website just now, I saw a notice saying that the White House Trail (the one that I took down to the bottom of the canyon) is closed due to a slew of break-ins at the trailhead. Bummer. One thing I noticed this time around is that most of the interpretive signs in the park-the kind you see at overlooks and that I remembered from my first visit-were missing. I believe they were vandalized and subsequently removed. Sad stuff. -Tristan

[@rosiecotton8343]

Sad.

[@thomfisher1100]

The real four corners is 1800 feet from the monument itself. Trivia for the day.

[@SUVRVing]

It's not 😁. That spot 1800 feet from the monument that you refer to was the intended boundary (its where the surveyor was tasked with marking), but the actual official/legal boundary is the monument (the place the surveyor ended up marking). The monument marks the boundary, not the other way around. The monument has been the legal boundary since 1875.

[@carolsmith7087]

As always enjoyed this a lot. Thanks

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Carol 👍

[@AmericanWanderers]

I thought Canyon de'Chelly was irritating. It should either be a real national Monument or just a pure Navajo commercial business like Monument Valley. The blend does not work well. I really liked the folk art in Cortez, it's on my list for the next time we are there.

[@daveybernard1056]

how interesting

[@mikele5306]

这个时期一个人玩最安全了🉐️🏓🎊🎉💯

[@SUVRVing]

True!

[@toriroberts7183]

any tips on camping in the navajo nation? It looks like there are some sweet spots to pull off and camp but im not sure if the general public can do that.

[@SUVRVing]

Yeah, that's not allowed. You have to camp in established campgrounds.

[@katpow5437]

Nice video as usual!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks!

[@WillN2Go1]

The Four Corners site was $18/ person or car when my son and I passed by. A bit too steep for an abstract tourist concept. That was almost 20 years ago. How much these days? Some years before that just outside Canyon de Chelly, I got a speeding ticket for something like 5 over the limit, which I did to pass an old pick-up that was going about 15 mph. It's tribal land, so when I griped about 5 mph over while safely passing a very slow vehicle and to avoid an upcoming blind hill... the Tribal Policeman said, "If you were Indian; I'd have to arrest you and take you to jail." I quickly decided mentioning my bit of Catawba Sioux ancestry wouldn't lead to the connection I might hope. I'd gotten another speeding ticket at Petrified Forest by a federal cop. Just as petty. Maybe it was just speed trap week. Never got one before or since. It's always good to know if there are speed traps in an area. Flashing headlights from an approaching car for no apparent reason are usually the general signal for slow down, cops or road hazard. Back in the day a ticket meant $40 for two hours of traffic school and if your record was clean: no points. Now it's at least $500.

[@bertkelly7650]

That's quite the zoom lense you got there.

[@SUVRVing]

40x!

[@BadOldBuzzard]

Just to clarify... the White House is the large one on the canyon floor, not the small white colored house up in the cave. The White House was named because of the large white area on the wall of the canyon behind the house. Wasn't sure if you were are aware of that. Next time, pay the $75 and go down into the canyon with a guide... it's worth it.

[@SUVRVing]

Every source I've seen, including national park literature, says that it was called White House because of the white plaster on the house in the upper cave. Thanks for watching.

[@nativeazboy]

This video is just out my back door 😊 I enjoy your vids , & not to be critical but supportive it's pronounced canyon de " shay "

[@SUVRVing]

Lol I address the "shay" thing in the video, but I guess you missed it. Thanks for watching.

[@jennysam3929]

It's because you've been in the Navajo Indian Reservation this whole time

[@TheRock-xj7hs]

👍👍

[@corilia9529]

Watch out for skin walkers!

[@gonagain]

Tristan, it wasn't the Spaniards who opened fire on the Indians, it was us. Am I wrong? I'm pretty sure it was U.S. troops guided by none other than Kit Carson. Kit Carson later, and to his dying day, went on to fight for Native American rights. Maybe in remorse?

[@SUVRVing]

You're referring to the Battle of Canyon de Chelly, which took place between the Navajo and the US troops in 1864. The Massacre Cave incident was between the Navajo and the Spanish in the early 1800s.

[@gonagain]

Thank you Tristan.

[@1ACL]

Sorry I haven't sent you the tsampa yet! I got slammed with orders...if you come up through Crestone let me know. I think the Great Sand Dunes are still open...

[@SUVRVing]

No problem 😁

[@robertware665]

Is that in colardo

[@mtnmandeluxe5429]

Where is the lovely wife? I thought you two were a pretty good team

[@johntuttle4486]

If you have the National Park Pass, it gets you 50% off camping fees and National Forests, monuments, and BLM lands. It does NOT get you a discount at Nat. Parks until you hit 62.

[@markdoyle9184]

Did you sleep in the car.?

[@SUVRVing]

I always sleep in the car. That's the point of my channel 😂

[@1ACL]

Why did the people initially go to caves and canyons? Was there a plague or war or something else?

[@SUVRVing]

I'm guessing they were attractive because the caves provide shelter, and the streams provide water.

[@confusedussay4583]

No definitive explanation of their choice of location or their abrupt disappearance has been found. They are actually alcoves not caves and are formed by seeping water which many have, providing an essential tool for survival. The location is logically for defense but from who is debatable. These dwellings exist for hundreds of miles around Canyon de Chelly. Another explanation thinks they simply wanted to live somewhere with a spectacular view same as the current populace. :)

[@adavell]

I think the location makes it difficult for beasts like mountail lions to reach without being seeing, protecting the dwellers from the unexpected. They probably could see anyone approaching way before they could harm them. Also, those approaching had to pay attention to their own climbing/safety which made them more vulnerable and gave the dwellers the advantage point. It just makes for a more strategic place compared to a tent in the middle of a prairie. Protection.

[@travd1147]

They were hiding from kit carson

[@1ACL]

@@travd1147 no, I mean before that.

[@sissy6159]

I enjoyed the cliff dwellings, very interesting. So sad about the murder of the innocent indians by the spainards..I sometimes wonder if history has taught us anything. I was at 4 corners many years ago. There was just the outside cement thing joining 4 corners and a mobile ice cream truck who's freezer had quit. It was pretty cool to stand in 4 state at once. Thank you for sharing

[@davidletz9123]

Hey I'm first! Thanks for the video!

[@Stevenowski]

Tyler was first! 😁

[@SUVRVing]

👍

[@jeffd1919]

If a plane crashed and landed exactly evenly on the 4 corners, where would you bury the survivors.... hah, you don't bury survivors.

[@jennysam3929]

You neglect to mention that they want you to pay $20 to look at it . Was a time not so long ago when you could drive right up to it.

[@SUVRVing]

Not sure what you're referring to. The Four Corners Monument is $5. Canyon de Chelly is free.

[@roypointanderson8468]

I like your video's and you go to a lot of the places that I found interesting. BUT, you could do a little more research before you do your narrations because you miss important details and interesting stories. Canyon De Chelley, (pronounced De-che-E, a spanish mangling of the Navajo word Tsegi is a Nat. Mon. The Northen arm is called Canyon de Murto. Past Massacre Cave is the impressive Mummy Cave ruin, where the canyon is 1,000' deep. You also seemed to miss the antelope house ruin and the tomb of the weaver. Spider WOMAN rock, (not Spider Rock), is 1,000' high not 600'. and has an interesting story. The top of the rock is white and the Navajo used to tell errant children that those were the bones of naughty children, so if they were'nt good the Spider Woman would take them away to the top of her rock.

[@roypointanderson8468]

I'm sorry. I see you did see Mummy Cave and the Antelope House Ruin.

[@websterbarstone]

Such a beautiful canyon. I think Spider Rock might have been my favorite part but the whole canyon is awe inspiring. I visited there about 8-10 years ago and took the White House hike and the scenic drives much the same as you. Cottonwood Campground was free at the time, but I read online that they were going to start charging. You didn't mention that they charge $5 admission to the Four Corners Monument. I drove right on by.