Discover Apache County: Culture, Landscapes, and Unique Experiences

Apache County is a diverse travel destination for anyone who wants to combine impressive landscapes with culture, history, and special excursions. The centerpiece is Canyon de Chelly National Monument on Navajo Trust Land at the edge of the town of Chinle. There, an Indigenous community that has lived there continuously preserves a history dating back at least 5,000 years. Rock alcoves, cliff dwellings, pictographs, and petroglyphs bring this place’s past vividly to life.

Experience Indigenous History and Living Culture

Those interested in the region’s history will find several different ways to explore it in Apache County. Since 1878, Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado has sold goods and traded in Native American art. Visitors can tour the trading post, the hogan, and the farm. In addition, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site offers a free, park-ranger-guided look inside the trader’s home. These offerings focus on different aspects: You can explore the historical day-to-day business of trading, learn about art, or trace the development of a specific place.

The Apache County Historical Society Museum presents artifacts and the history of the Apache, Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni communities, as well as Hispanic and Mormon settlers. The Navajo Nation Museum and Library is another cultural institution open to visitors. In Window Rock, the Navajo Nation Zoo and Botanical Park showcases animals and plants that are significant to Navajo history and culture.

Landscapes for Active and Relaxing Days

The county also offers a variety of opportunities to experience nature. Petrified Forest National Park provides hiking opportunities in two units of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area. The Painted Desert Rim Trail is a 1-mile loop there, offering views of the Painted Desert and opportunities for birdwatching. Its manageable length can help with daily planning, while the views and nature observation add substance to the hike.

In the White Mountains, Big Lake lies within the two-million-acre Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. At the lake, you can fish for rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, Apache trout, and occasionally brook char. Lyman Lake State Park has two paved boat ramps within the park. This allows you to combine different interests: One day of your trip can focus on hiking through striking landscapes, and the next on spending time by the water.

Choose Excursions Based on Your Interests

Casa Malpais is a pueblo built and inhabited by the Mogollon between A.D. 1240 and 1350. The site is accessible only as part of a guided tour; tours begin at the Springerville Heritage Center. This center brings together four museums in a historic school building. When choosing accommodations for a culture-focused stay, you can therefore pay particular attention to planning a trip that includes museum visits and guided tours.

For winter sports, Sunrise Park Resort lists skiing, snowboarding, ski biking, cross-country skiing, and tubing; the resort spans three mountains. The White Mountain Scenic Road offers a different perspective: It follows State Route 260, is 67 miles long, and forms part of a region of scenic roads in northern Arizona that also includes Apache County.

At Four Corners Monument, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado meet at a single point. Nearby, Navajo vendors sell handcrafted jewelry and traditional Navajo dishes. Red Rock Ranch and Farms also offers wine tastings in its tasting room. Such stops add regional products and culinary impressions to a trip.

Places for Further Trip Planning

When searching for a suitable base, you can compare the locations individually: Chinle, Springerville, Ganado, Window Rock, Steamboat, Greer, Lupton, Sanders, and St. Michaels. This makes it possible to choose a vacation apartment or vacation home in Apache County based on your preferred focus: cultural discoveries, nature, water activities, winter sports, or a varied road trip.

For the overarching travel overview: Arizona.