"My Adventures in Gallup and "Indian... " a Gallup Travel Page by KristyB

I am serving as an Americorps*VISTA member in Gallup and before I moved here from Washington State, anyone who had heard of Gallup asked "Why Gallup?" with near disgust. I have now realized that most of these people probably just passed through Gallup on their way somewhere else without realizing the rich history and amazing landscape of this area.

Recently I have been to many Anasazi ruins and rock climbing galore. Also there are tons of amazing mountain biking/running trails all over the place. Check out the hogbacks that go right through the east part of town for a real challenge.

Canyon de Chelly is the true start of the Grand Canyon, it is also the home to many Anasazi cliff ruins. Spider rock pictured here is the birthplace of the Spiderwoman, an important figure in Navajo folklore.

I have visited here twice and hope to go back more before I leave here. The valley is so beautiful from Spring through fall. I highly recommend hiking down to Whitehouse ruins, the only place you can actually enter the canyon itself at unless you have hired a Navajo guide.

To get there from Gallup you should get a map. It is in Northeastern Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. Get an Indian Country Map, it's the best way to get around.

Chaco Canyon is about two hours drive from Gallup.
This place is amazing, you can walk right up to the ruins and pictographs left by the ancient Chacoans. Check out the museum at the visitor center, it is amazing how a people in the middle of the desert ended up with seashells and mackaw feathers.

Beware: If you are taking the road coming from the South towards Chaco Canyon, do not go if the weather had not been dry. I almost got stuck on the 20 mile dirt road a few times and it was terrifying.

To get there from Gallup, take I-40 East to Thoreau and then go North on 371, follow the signs to Chaco.