Coal Mine Canyon
Near Tuba City, AZ
COAL MINE CANYON
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF COAL MINE CANYON
Coal Mine Canyon is another of the unique places in the American Southwest that seem to appear out of absolute nowhere. About 20 miles south of the small town of Tuba City, AZ in the middle of a barren, and seemly lifeless desert appears this magical oasis of shapes, formations and color.
Certainly, one of the coolest places you have never heard of, this jaw-dropping canyon provides endless photographic opportunities and leaves you wondering how it all happened. The most intriguing feature of Coal Mine Canyon is the vivid magenta and yellow striations that seem to pop out of the rocks. At sunset, canyon’s glow can provide for a spectacular vista.
NOTE: Due to COVID - access to Navajo land may be restricted or closed to non-Navajos. Check with the The Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation website before planning to visit.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
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DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH COAL MINE CANYON SUMMARY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2.5 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The hike to the location of this shot is a ranges from an easy 1/4 hike to 200 yds (depending on where you park). However, the drive to the parking location can be a bit bumpy (when dry) and almost impassable when wet. That being said, the location of the shot is near a ledge with a 300ft drop.
The shot from this location is pretty straightforward - not much to it other than finding the composition you like and waiting for the right weather and/or light.
With that being said, the entire Coal Mine Canyon is VERY, VERY large (with 2 separate entrances points) and you could spend all day scouting out different views, angles and locations. If you have time, I would suggest arriving early in the day and driving/walking around the canyon rim to find compositions you like. Once you settle on your composition, wait for the right light and capture a great image.
The shot above is a late afternoon, THIS IS NOT A SUNSET SHOT! If you wait for sunset, the canyon …
There are countless compositions available at and around Coal Mine Canyon. You can use lenses ranging from ultra-wide to telephoto to capture a nice image.
The above image was taken @ 30mm.
5,618 Ft. Elevation
Other Resources Available with Membership
KMZ Trail File
Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Permits Required
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Overnight Lodging/Camping
Nearby Restaurants
Area Guides and Workshops
Other Resources
LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
