Advice please for a comfortable and not too expensive place near Canyon de Chelly(November)
Alain (Paris, France)

Canyon de Chelly is my favorite place in the U.S. However, November might be snowy and the weather might prevent you getting into the canyon. If you haven't checked the web sites, look at www.nps.gov/cach for the official national park service site. If you're not traveling alone, Thunderbird Lodge is not extremely expensive, and if you're there after Nov. 15 they are a real bargain. Look at tbirdlodge.com
In the nearby town of Chinle, there are a Best Western and Holiday Inn where rooms start at $50 or $60 dollars a night.

Vera

I'm not sure what the rates are these days, but Thunderbird is by far the most convenient to this wonderful site. However, Vera has made a good point about the possible weather in November.

My wife and I are always looking for "local" things: places to stay, food, art, and so on.

One year, we stayed at a very interesting place near the Canyon de Chelly. It was a NAVAJO run "motel" called Many Farms Inn in Many Farms, Arizona. It's actually a place to train Navajos in hotel management. The rate was very inexpensive and the rooms were very acceptable, cleaner than a lot of the chain motels and hotels we've stayed in across the US in out of the way places.

We did have some problems finding it, but everyone in Many Farms knew about it. It's an interesting experience, if that is what you want.

Otherwise, the other posters are correct. The Thunderbird Lodge is very close to the rim of the Canyon de Chelly. You can't get any closer than that!

Wonderful place! Hope the snows don't stop you! And, if you are able to drive along the rim, do go to the end of the South Rim drive to Spider Rock. Spectacular views, especially at sunset! Enjoy!

All the posters give good ideas.
if you are in good physic condition and if wheather allows it, try to make some hikes..Thera are some long but easy(pine canyon trail from north rim to mummy cave), some less long but strenous(crak trail , birds or bear trails) which use some ancient indian trails,...
The night trail if it always exist is not so bad...
Thunderbird lodge is crtainly the best place to stay and if you have some good
rates, try to get the "old" rooms of the lodge and notn the motel's rooms
which are less "charming".
To get a guide for hiking : just ask to the visitor center : it's not expensive : it was 10 $/hour , for 2-3-4
or 5...
Erik [email protected] à vannes
PS : c'est une région que nous connaissons bien(10 séjours, dont 4 avec des nuits à canyon de Chelley) :
un endroit magique...Pour s'y plonger, lire qq romans policiers de Tony hillerman...

Alain,
Definately the Thunderbird Lodge. It's right by the Visitor Center. They have an okay cafeteria. There really aren't too many other places to eat or stay other than the Holiday Inn. Also if you really want to explore (and you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle) hire a Navajo guide. It's the only way that you can access 99% of the canyons and it's very inexpensive. They also have group tours. You'll love it.
JoeG

I second JoeG's message, except I would rate the T-bird dining room as excellent, especially for Southwestern and Navajo dishes and steak. The Navajo-guided group jeep tours are not to be missed, and a safer bet with winter conditions. Have a great trip.