#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.

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"Our stay here was such a unique and cool Navajo experience! If you're looking for something authentic and out of the ordinary, I HIGHLY recommend!"

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Navajoland Hotel of Tuba City

10/10 Excellent

"Very comfortable and friendly staff. "

Experience our Traditional Navajo Hogan near Grand Canyon

10/10 Excellent

"What a refreshing change from touristy cabins/motels. Solitude, wide open vistas, starry skies. Owner was helpful and responsive, but not intrusive. Members of owner’s family who stopped by were kind and informative. "

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Frequently asked questions

Searching for B&Bs in Tuba City?

If you're looking for something a little different than your standard hotel experience, a bed and breakfast might be the perfect option for your trip. When you want to explore the surroundings in Tuba City, Explore Navajo Interactive Museum and Navajo Code Talkers Museum are a couple notable museums worth checking out.

Are you thinking about B&Bs over traditional hotel rooms?

With attentive service, opportunities to meet other guests, and of course a full breakfast, B&Bs provide a one-of-a-kind environment.

When is the best time to book my B&B in Tuba City?

When you're planning your getaway to Tuba City, be sure to take into account the year-round temperatures. The hottest months are usually July and August with an average temp of 77°F, while the coldest months are January and December with an average of 38°F. Average annual precipitation for Tuba City is 6 inches.

What is there to do in Tuba City?

When you want to explore some cultural attractions on your trip, Explore Navajo Interactive Museum and Navajo Code Talkers Museum are worthy sites to check out. You might put Tuba City Trading Post and Painted Desert on your list if you want to see more of the area.