White House Ruin Trail,
Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Located 4.8 miles from Chinle, Arizona (AZ)
4 Stars
3,149 Steps 1  (1.4 mi)
Trails › National Monuments › Canyon de Chelly › White House Ruin Trail

The White House Ruin Trail is the only hike within the national monument that does not require a Navajo guide or a park ranger. Many Navajo still live within the valley today. The trail is not only popular with tourists and hikers, it is also used as access for residents. To view the structure that was built in the sandstone cliffs between 1060 AD and 1275 AD, either visit the White House Overlook or take this trail down to the ruins. The trail is rocky and steep, but very well maintained.

White House Ruin TrailWhite House Ruin TunnelWhite House Ruin Trail, Canyon de Chelly

Elevation

The White House Ruin Trail has a maximum elevation of 6,175 ft., a minimum elevation of 5,595 ft. and an elevation range of 580 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
1.4 mi5,595 ft6,175 ft580 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
36 min6.881 ft594 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
48 min49.5594 ft81 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF White House Ruin Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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9
  1. Northwest Topo Map: Many Farms, AZ
  2. North Topo Map: Tall Tree Mesa, AZ
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Red Cornfield Mesa, AZ
  4. West Topo Map: Chinle, AZ
  5. Topo Map: Del Muerto, AZ
  6. East Topo Map: Black Rock Butte, AZ
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Mud Spring, AZ
  8. South Topo Map: Three Turkey Canyon, AZ
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Spider Rock, AZ

Difficulty

The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the White House Ruin Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.

FAQ

What is the length of the White House Ruin Trail?

The length of the trail is 1.4 miles (2.3 km) or 3,149 steps.

How long does it take to hike the White House Ruin Trail?

A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 36 minutes in one direction and in 48 minutes in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.

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