 The only trail in the canyon that does not require a guide, the White House Trail leads to ruins that date from about 1200 A.D. -- some of the oldest in Canyon De Chelly National Monument. The trailhead is seven miles along the south rim drive; the one mile trail is rocky and steep in places but well-maintained and not too difficult - it takes between 25 and 50 minutes to get down, depending on your fitness. There are a couple of short tunnels, plenty of cacti and lizards, and the track passes a farm and an orchard before crossing the stream to the Ruins. Near the stream, just before the second tunnel, there is an interesting short-cut down a narrow gully, using old foot-holes carved in the sandstone walls. Once at the White House, rest rooms and Indian jewellery sellers detract a little from the experience but the delicate well-preserved buildings beneath the 500 foot sheer cliff are well worth the trip.
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