We're planning a trip from the South Rim of the Canyon to Canyon de Chelly the first week of May. I'm trying to decide the best route and "must sees" along the way. I'm leaning toward taking the "northern" route, #264 from Tuba City through Second Mesa and on northeast on #191 to Chinle, with stops at the Hopi Cultural Center and Hubbell Trading Post, and any other sites recommended.
Since I have to be back in Phoenix several days later, we'd spend a couple of day at Canyon de Chelly and then take the southern route back along I-40 stopping to see the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and other recommended sites along the way.
MapQuest indicates that the South Rim to Chinle via #264 will take around 6 hours, a long day even without stops. Would we be better off planning to stop overnight, maybe at the Hopi Cultural Center, or is that stretch through the reservations really worth two days?
On the return trip, it looks like it's around 6 hours from Chinle back to the Phoenix area, again not leaving much time to stop along the way to tour the Petrified Forest or other sites in a single day?
I've basically got four days and three nights to spend in the area. Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!!

We've driven Hwy 264 and it's a beautiful drive. We left the Grand Canyon in the morning, stopped for breakfast and made many stops at the overlooks that are on Hwy 64 as you exit the Grand Canyon at Desert View and made it to Canyon de Chelly early that evening.

We didn't stop at the Hopi Cultural Center but we have stopped at Hubbell Trading Post. It's not that big but very interesting.

I would suggest getting up really early and not spending the night on the road. My trip software has it as 245 miles and taking 6 hours. I would fill up your gas tank in either Cameron or Tuba City. You won't find much else until you get to Chinle.

I know not everyone likes the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert but I do and I think it's worth the time to drive thought. Get out of the vehicle and stretch your legs on one of the short hikes.

I would be more incline to spend a night in Holbrook or Winslow. You could spend some time in Canyon de Chelly before leaving and drive thought the Petrified Forest and that would only be 145 miles to Holbrook.

The last day would be about 235 miles from Holbrook and that would give you time to check out Walnut Canyon National Monument just off I-40 and Montezuma's Castle National Monument just off I-15.

I hope you plan on taking one of the guided tours into Canyon de Chelly. We've been there three times and didn't go into the canyon until this last visit. It was a fantastic experience.

Utahtea

utahtea,
Thanks for your response. I think we'll
follow your suggestion and leave the rim earlier to do a straight drive through to Chinle, stopping at the sites along the way instead of overnighting at the Hopi Center. We'll already have have two full days at GC and we're anxious to have time at Canyon de Chelly. We do plan to take one of the guided tours.
Any recommendations on which tours are the best?
Also do you have a favorite day hikes into the Grand Canyon?

Thanks again

I sort of did your trip in reverse last summer but from Sedona. I went from Sedona along the southern route stopping at Meteor Crater, the Petrified Forest and Hubbell Trading Post. Then I came back the northern route. I did stop at the Hopi Cultural Center and bought some jewelry there. I did not have time to book a tour up to one of the mesas because I did this all in 3 days.

In Canyon de Chelly I stayed at the Hilton. Tours to the bottom of the canyon ("shake and bakes") leave from the Hilton. You can just sign up after you arrive. I found the tour very worthwhile and worth the money.

Hi Sheepdog,

We took the tour out of the Thunderbird Lodge right in Canyon de Chelly and we were delighted with our tour guide. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

http://www.tbirdlodge.com/Tours.htm

What kind of hiking do you like to do? Going down into the canyon is strenuous and steep. When I was very young we hiked down to Indian Garden and back and it took ALL DAY! I prefer to hike the rim trails. I think you see more of the canyon and you can pick up a shuttle bus when ever you get tired!

Utahtea