Chinle is in Eastern Arizona . It is in Apache County. The town is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 191 and Indian State Secondary Road 64. It is the geographical center of the Navajo Indian Reservation.

Chinle had its first trading post in 1882. The town sits at an elevation of 5,058 feet. The climate is mild with a winter low Temperature of 29 degrees and a summer high Temperature of 100 degrees. The town is the entrance into the Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The monument is a spectacular sandstone canyon filled with ancient ruins.

One terrific attraction you must visit is Hubbell's Trading Post, which lies in the town of Ganado, 30 miles to the south. It is the longest continually active trading post on the Navajo Indian Reservation and has been designated a National Historic Site. John Lorenzo Hubbell began trading at this site in 1878 and built this post in 1883. He was a man, who treated the Native American Indians fairly.

During a time when the Navajos were adjusting to a new home way of life on a reservation, Hubbell extended his hand by providing a place to socialize and do business. Visitors will find many kinds of Indian crafts, such as Navajo silver jewelry, sand paintings and pottery. You definitely don't want to miss the rug room. Here you will be amazed at the numerous rugs for sale. The Hubbell House is open to guided tours. The new home has many original furnishings.

An outdoor activity located just to the east of town is Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The monument is pronounced "d-shay." The name Canyon de Chelly came from the Navajo word "tsegi" meaning "rock canyon." The monument is a geological wonder and a historic site. There are two great gorges that cut deep into the sandstone plateau creating canyons. The 26-mile Canyon de Chelly joins the 25-mile Canyon del Muerto, which make a dazzling sight.

The visitor center has exhibits explaining the Anasazi culture that once lived in the canyon. There are many ancient ruins that are in hiking distance. The White House, Antelope House and Mummy Cave are just a few cliff dwellings inside the canyons walls. It is important that a ranger is your guide into the canyon. Visitors may rather take a drive along the north, west and south rims, which give wonderful views. The monument also has a campground available.

History:
Chinle is located next to Canyon de Chelly. The canyon's name is pronounced "d-shay." Artifacts found in the prehistoric cliff dwellings reveal that the canyon was a community as far back as 2000 B.C.
The Archaic, Basket makers and Anasazi all occupied the canyon, until they disappeared in 1350 A.D. Then in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Hopis used the canyon. Finally in the 17th century, the Navajos arrived. The Navajos continue to live in the canyon today. They grow corn, peaches and herd livestock.

The canyon was a Navajo stronghold, during Kit Carson's Navajo Campaign. In 1864, Colonel Kit Carson was ordered to begin war. His mission was to exterminate all Navajos. However, after a long battle Carson decided to starve the Navajos into submission. Carson kept watch on Canyon de Chelly and finally 8,000 Navajos surrendered. They were taken to Pecos River Reservation in new home Mexican. The Navajos were a part of the "long walk" to new home Mexican.

It wasn't until 1868, when the United States signed a treaty with the Navajos. The treaty officially designated reservation land for the Indians. This was the only Arizona Indian Reservation that came about because of a treaty; all the others were in the form of acts of Congress or Presidential Orders.

It was at this time that Chile became a trading center and began to grow. In 1882, the first trading post was established in a tent. Then in 1904, the first mission was built and in 1910 the first government school was created.