Coal mine canyon

I'm interested in checking this place out sometime soon, and had a few questions. First, does one need a permit to visit this area (Navajo hopi lands)? Also, is there more than one spot to see? I have been reading up on it and all of the articles read about the picnic table area, but viewing on google earth shows a few roads to various parts of the canyon. Is one spot better than the other? I am also interested in doing some night photography here, but as I have read, there are "ghosts" that appear at night. I won't mind if others are interested in meeting up, but I do not have an exact date set up as of now. Is camping also allowed up along the canyon? I would assume a fee would be in place considering the reservation status of the location. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

The picnic table area is the only area that doesn't require a permit as it used to be a Navajo Nation 'park'. You can camp there freely, as many have in the past.
Funny thing about Navajo/Hopi permits is that even though they may be issued by a government agency, the homesite/grazing leaseholders (there are no landowners per se) almost always refuse to honor any papers whatsoever from their own tribal government. This comes from my own personal experience, btw.

So are you saying there is a chance if I go to a permit required area with permit in hand I can be forced to leave? Sounds like hogwash. Wonder if it is even worth visiting those specific areas then?

That's what I'm saying, Peter. The permit 'office' in Cameron will issue permits to just about anywhere...even places where they have no clue where the location is at. It justifies their jobs. But the final say-so will always be with the person who lives there and/or grazes livestock in the location.

Well...I've always been the gambling type :) Probably stick with the picnic area for my first visit, I'm sure there is enough to keep me occupied.

Peter,
I believe that a permit is needed for Coal Mine and to camp at the picnic area. Hiking into the canyon is not permitted. You could call or stop in at the Cameron center on the southwest corner of Hwys 89 and 64.

From the Navajo Parks website:
Cameron Visitor Center
P.O. Box 459
Cameron, AZ 86020
tel : 928.679.2303
fax:928.679.2017
email: lcr@navajonationparks.org

This visitor center is located at the junction of Highway 89 and Highway 64 in Cameron, Arizona. Information and permits can be obtained for trails along the Colorado River, Marble Canyon, Jackass Canyon, Salt Trail Canyon, Totahatso Point, Rainbow Bridge trails, Cove Mesa, Coal Mine Canyon and areas in the western portion of the Navajo Nation.

Peter -

"Ditto" to all of the above.

First, I believe that Doug is technically and "legally" correct based on the research that I did this past spring. Doug is also suggesting that you visit the Visitor Centers and get your permits in person.

Second, I believe that John is practically correct...

I visited Coal Mine Canyons and other parts of the Navajo Reservation in June and received conflicting information from a variety of sources - it depends upon who you ask and what their stake is in the situation. But, I chose to be safe, rather than sorry. (At Coal Mines, it was too hot in June to venture too far and I also knew that I shouldn't go below the canyon rim.)

I sent in permit requests to the Navajo Nation for Coal Mine Canyons and some other areas well before my trip - and didn't hear a word back. Sort of like John said, I took my chances on visiting the areas that I wanted to visit, but I also took photocopies of my letter to the Navajo Nation, my permit application and the money order that I sent to the Navajo Nation. I can't recall why I made these photocopies (I figured that it might only help if the Navajo authorities stopped me), but there was something that I had read about the inconsistencies that are being laid out that made me to opt to be a little more careful than usual.

And, no one ever said a word to me about why an SUV from Wisconsin was driving around the back areas of the Navajo Reservation because there wasn't anyone out there to see me/us! It's pretty remote once you get off of the main highways...

Good luck,

Tim!

Thanks for all the info. It seems the few places I am interested in visiting are hit or miss, nothing is ever clear about reservation lands and it gives me quite the headache. I searched all over the net for info on this subject only to find that everything was 50/50. I also started looking into blue canyon, but there are far too many stories of people getting kicked out of there that is swaying me away. Looks like when I head up there I will have to stop at the visitor center.

Hopi rangers definitely patrol Blue Canyon on a regular basis now.

That's what I hear.

Peter - maybe you can contact the guide who is mentioned in this article...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2012/10/25/arizonas-hopi-protect-the-wests-last-secret-land/1659207/

Good luck,

Tim!

Blue Canyon looks interesting but by the sound of the article they forbid photography. Even if you got down in the canyon would you be able to shoot? Thanks for the link Tim.

A Google image search of 'Blue Canyon Arizona' will answer your question, Bob.