Tuba City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

#Petroglyphs
#Petroglyphs
The rocks and stratifications near Tuba City, AZ
#Nature
Luckily I had the directions to Coal Mine this time, because there is no sign, it’s on private property and you can’t see it from the road.  Between mileposts 363 and 364 you turn off onto someone’s property and aim between a two-storey house and a windmill.  It’s okay, they’re about half a kilometre apart.
I pulled up beside a photogenic ruin and grabbed my gear.  As I stood up, the attraction of Coal Mine became clear.  It was everything I’d hoped for and more.  The reality of it was simply that it was the finest canyon I’d ever seen.
Sure, it’s not as deep as the Grand Canyon, doesn’t have as many hoodoos as Bryce, doesn’t quite have the sheerness of Zion and has no more colour than Cottonwood Canyon Road; but, it has everything; all of those features crammed into one of the earth’s most magnificent compact canyons.  Why it’s not a major attraction I don’t quite understand; perhaps it’s where it is that causes people to miss it.  This would be backed up by the fact that other nearby canyons are rarely visited also.  Perhaps it’s because this is distinctly Indian country, as was the Square Butte earlier.  All along the main routes you see stalls selling jewellery.  I couldn’t help but think if they got a bit entrepreneurial they could make an absolute killing by developing some of the sites.
Still, I was more interested in this washed out hole in the ground.  It’s on the edge of the 120 mile wide Painted Desert. The colours were the like of which I’d never seen before in one geological place.  I moved around to parts where you could get out to; couldn’t stop shaking my head at what was there in front of me.  Weird shapes, the layer of coal that used to be mined almost on top, the patterns in the rocks; I didn’t know where to look first.
After I’d spent over an hour poking in here and there I worked my way further south until I came across the benches that someone has put there.  However, to my despair, I noticed there’s also a rope-supported trail to the bottom just a bit further on.  Physically, I hadn’t enough left in me to go down but, know when you go that it’s an option.  If you want to get to this point first you should drive to the side where the windmill is.
I’ve read another report since on another site that indicates you can drive to two other access points as well, further down the road, but I was unaware of those at the time.  Also, you’ll read that you are on Indian land and, from every bit of information I could glean, it’s Navajo up the top and Hopi down the bottom.  I’d boldly suggest you do just what myself and most people do; just go there.  I tried to contact the Hopi re a trip to Blue Canyon but ran up a dead end, so I gave up after that.
So, if you’re looking for a café and accommodation beside a major attraction, you’ve come to the wrong place.  However, if it’s solitude and a wonderful natural experience that fits the bill, then look no further.
I'm in love with desert sunrises🌅

Quick Tip: Don't forget to pick up your Navajo Permit to access the canyon rim! If you want to climb down into the canyon, you need to hire a Hopi guide. #Arizona #Adventure
Navajoland Hotel of Tuba City

Navajoland Hotel of Tuba City

3 out of 5
10 North Main Street Tuba City AZ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹9,082 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
₹9,082
per night
10 Mar - 11 Mar
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Tuba City. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,568 reviews)
Stayed for only one night, check in was super smooth and efficient. The ladies in the front desk were very accommodating with my request for a room on the first level because we have an elderly in our group. They have breakfast vouchers to be used at their own restaurant. All in all, it was really ...

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Navajoland Hotel of Tuba City
Hopi Cultural Center

Hopi Cultural Center

2 out of 5
Highway 264, Milepost 379 Second Mesa AZ
The price is ₹11,397 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
₹11,397
per night
10 Mar - 11 Mar
Stay at this motel in Second Mesa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a conference centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (359 reviews)
The staff was very professional & attended to my needs. Great job!!

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

Hopi Cultural Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sedona Springs Resort

Sedona Springs Resort

3 out of 5
55 Northview Rd Sedona AZ
Stay at this aparthotel in Sedona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,280 reviews)
Rooms were nice, but sound from the next room was loud and clear enough to have been coming from our own room. Also, did not appreciate that a time share sales pitch was part of the check in process.

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

Sedona Springs Resort
Scottsdale Camelback Resort

Scottsdale Camelback Resort

4 out of 5
6302 E Camelback Rd Scottsdale AZ
Stay at this spa condo in Scottsdale. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,407 reviews)
Spacious, well equipped Villa in well kept up little community.

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Scottsdale Camelback Resort
Metro Tempe Extended Stay

Metro Tempe Extended Stay

4 out of 5
2301 E Southern Ave Tempe AZ
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Tempe. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in their ...
6.8/10 (1,141 reviews)
Please take this listing off your platform. There was blood on the pillows and bodily fluid in the restroom.

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Metro Tempe Extended Stay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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