I love it here, and its amazing how much variety there is in the landscapes and cultures. If you are traveling from the south, please call ahead for the latest conditions. There are thirteen miles of dirt roads to drive before getting to Chaco Canyon, and the last four miles are considered by the park service to be very rough. November through February is on a first come, first served basis. More Information: Google Maps Location for Red Mesa Express. One of our favorite pass times when traveling in the American southwest is visiting the various cliff dwelling houses. The following are the Chaco Culture National Historical Park highlights. You can do this by visiting the reservation website. If you were willing to camp, that would give you the most convenient access to the park, especially if you were planning on spending more than one day there. Drinkingwater is only availableat the Chaco Culture National Historical Park Visitor Center, which is a mile away. Built due to overpopulation and crowding at other great houses, Pueblo del Arroyo was constructed toward the end of Chaco Canyons period of large-scale growth in the mid-11th century. Most of it is good, though youll have to pass cattle guards and some rough parts. Your last stop along the loop is Pueblo del Arroyo, showcasing another Chacoan great house built between 1025 and 1125. The 4 1/2 miles before entering the park are very rough. Check the box below to confirm you would like to receive our monthly email newsletter, then subscribe: You can learn more about our newsletter and see a preview of a past edition here. From Chetro Ketl, you can drive to your next stop, but it is worth walking the short Petroglyph Trail, connecting the site to Pueblo Bonito. What is the closest town to Chaco Canyon? There are multiple ways to get to Chaco National Park. Chaco Culture National Historical Park Entrance Fee, Things to Do in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Please use our directions below to avoid getting lost or stuck. If you are planning a visit to the amazing Pueblo ruins at Chaco Canyon and your searching for Chaco Canyon Camping because you are traveling in an RV, then Id like to share something with you about the area so you can make the most of your trip. Cuba Visitor Center phone number is 575-289-3808. From Gallup, NM, take Highway 264 WEST then Highway 191 NORTH. Despite their nomadic tendencies, by the mid-800s AD they were in the midst of constructing large-scale architectural projects that relied on advanced masonry techniques and resulted in enormous, primarily residential buildings to house the Chacoan people. Its worth spending more time here, since it is the second largest great house in Chaco. Please note that . They dont recommend it for RVs. The largest and most spectacular great house in Chaco, Pueblo Bonito is also the most important in the area. The main entrance into the park is from US Highway 550. It is the only "great house" you can walk through the rooms of within the canyon. You May Like: Grand Canyon North Rim Camping. The drive in. We often find the best hotel deals using Booking.com, and we recommend it as a great tool to find a hotel near Chaco Canyon. Find more inspiration in one of the New Mexico guide books below! Bloomfield, Aztec and Farmington, New Mexico, are the closest towns to Chaco Canyon National Historical Parks main north road. Built between 850 and 1150 A.D., it was the cultural center of the Chacoan world that covered a large area of the Southwest. What city is Chaco Culture National Historical Park? Definitely not a good idea to take my Audi on that drive - it may have four wheel drive, but is not high enough to be good for the roads you see here . Your first stop should be the visitor center, where you can pick up a brochure and learn as much as possible about the park. Each Chacoan great house ruin has unique characteristics with Pueblo Bonito as the highlight in the middle of them all. Dont miss the Museum of Chaco Culture, where you can see artifacts from the site and learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who built it. Despite their nomadic tendencies, by the mid-800s AD they were in the midst of constructing large-scale architectural projects that relied on advanced masonry techniques and resulted in enormous, primarily residential buildings to house the Chacoan people. Chaco Canyon is remembered as a gathering place in the lore of todays Pueblo and Navajo tribes. Youll be outside quite a bit during your visit, so wear some sunscreen to protect yourselfand dont forget a hat and sunglasses for some additional comfort. 5 How many days do you need in Chaco Canyon? There is one campground in the park, near the visitors center, called the Gallo Campground. Each is about an hour and a half from the park's entrance. Source: nps.gov. Besides, when you camp here, youll have your own ruins at the campground, in an alcove. Bloomfield (61 miles, an hour and a half), Farmington (74 miles, an hour and a half). The route includes 8 miles of paved road (CR 7900 & CR7950) and 13 miles of rough dirt road (CR7950). Disappointing to say the least. but NOT camping. Chaco Canyon has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park and we have information on experiencing a presentation highlighting this distinction. The half-mile trail takes you through a few large structures, including a few elevated kivas (round ancient ceremonial centers) and a great kiva. Each is about an hour and a half from the park's entrance. We stopped for gas at the Red Mesa Express station just before turning on to CR 7900, and having a full tank made us feel a lot better about navigating the unpaved roadsthere would be little worse than getting stuck on them! Some are clear, but youll find others so eroded, you can only guess what was there in ancient times. We stayed at Motel 6. Along with Aztec Ruins and several smaller Chacoan sites, the ancient ruins in Chaco Canyon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and comprise some of the most famous ruins in the Four Corners area. The regular sites are most appropriate for tent camping, and most of them have a tent pad. Look up and notice the corner window in one room, built so the sun can shine through during the solstices. Bloomfield, Aztec and Farmington, New Mexico, are the closest towns to Chaco Canyon National Historical Park's main north road. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose. From the south, two routes access Chaco from Highway 9, which runs between Crownpoint, Pueblo Pintado, and Cuba. The route includes 8 miles of paved road and 13 miles of dirt road. The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. From the south of the park: From I-40, take highway 371from Thoreau to highway 9 before turning on CR57. *. Does not work with all carriers and not strong enough to use the internet. The quarter-mile round-trip trail through the site is gravel but climbs a few steep rises. The trail itself is only a quarter of a mile long, but past that, you can walk inside the multi-story structure and explore the interconnecting rooms and low doorways. And there are no accommodations for many miles. Guided tours are offered regularly from May until October each year, and self-guided tours are easily completed based on your speed and interest in the buildings and sites located along the parks Canyon Loop Drive. Another shout out to the Red Mesa Express: we stocked up on water and snacks before departing for Chaco Canyon, a smart move because you wont find restaurants or places to stop for food or drink once you get closer to the park. Chaco Canyon camping at Gallo Campgrounds is a great option when visiting Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the nearby attractions in northwest New Mexico. Dont Miss: Where To Go At The Grand Canyon. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliatelinks which means that we receive asmall commission if you click on alink and purchase something that weve recommended, at no extra cost to you. Into the park is unpaved and pretty rough. Gallo campsites may be reserved in advance from March through October at $15 each. Map detail of Chaco Canyon and the 8 mile loop that provides national park access. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, area of Native American ruins in northwestern New Mexico, U.S. Note: Some of the camping sites are closed because of the danger of rockfalls. Hungo PaviThe ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. During our visit to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, we werent aware that Chaco Canyon camping was an option. From 550 turn onto CR 7900, . Warning: Some of the local roads recommended by map publishers and GPS devices are unsafe for passenger cars. If you have an RV and are not planning on camping in the park, you may want to leave the RV and drive a car into the park. Because the drive from Santa Fe to teh canyon is about 4 hours, we would like to find a place to sleep as close to teh park as possible. When visiting the site, remember that you wont find restrooms at the individual structures. var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; By Plane International airports located in Phoenix, AZ (5 hours) or Albuquerque, NM (4 hours). Chaco Canyon is located in northwestern New Mexico. The largest and most impressive Chacoan great house is Pueblo Bonito. Farmington is about an hour west. To give you a starting pointfor your trip research, we looked at what people say about hotels near Chaco Canyon. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. It is a massive D-shaped structure that had somewhere between 600 and 800 rooms. Please note that you will have to drive at least 10 miles of gravel road from either direction to reach the visitor center. Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a sprawling park in northeast New Mexico. Chaco Culture National Historical Park or Chaco Canyon is Americas token archaeological site, comparable to Egypts pyramids or Perus Machu Picchu. There is no public transportation to the park, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Have a happy trip! The quarter-mile flat trail takes you through an area that might give you a good idea of what the unexcavated ruins look like. Its also within driving distance of a few other key attractions, including Monument Valley (about 4 hours away), Four Corners Monument (about 2.5 hours away), and Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is about 3.5 hours away and is another popular site worth visiting. Chaco Canyon lies in the true wilds of northwest New Mexico, 65 miles from the nearest town with a motel and of those 65 miles, 30 are dirt roads that may or may not be passable for a normal car. Officially known as the Chaco Culture National Historic Park, but commonly known by its more concise nickname, Chaco Canyons origins date back close to 12,000 years ago. Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico (photo: Paul Williams, CC BY-NC 2.0) Pueblo Bonito is among the most impressive of the Great Houses. The dark skies are great, and the solitude is even better but the point is that Chaco Canyon is considered to be the central cultural center of the Ancient Pueblo People. The great house was most likely used to house people who lived in the area as opposed to royalty or religious leaders. Follow the cairns back towards Pueblo Bonito until you reach the lookout. The ruins look amazing in pictures. There are around 37 hotel/motelsranging in price from around $35-115. There is one camp ground in Chaco Culture National Historic Park called Gallo Campground. Youll find the road to Chaco on maps as Highway 57 (also shown on some maps as Highway 14), a turn-off from Highway 9 (a paved road). From the visitor center, take the short trail to Una Vida, a set of smaller ruins on top of the hill. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The least amount of time you should plan on spending here is about an hour. Set? To most of us, this simply means that its got really, really dark skies. Chaco Canyon, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was home to a thriving Pueblo culture between 850-1250 A.D. After walking through the dry barren landscape it may be hard to believe that about 1,000 years ago Chaco Canyon was a lively bustling city. Also Check: Camping Golden Gate Canyon State Park. When it comes to visiting Chaco Canyon, there is a vast amount of things to do if you love national parks and the outdoors. There is one campsite, and reservations are recommended. The Road to Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Via Pueblo Pintado: At the community of Pueblo Pintado, turn north on Navajo 46 for 10 miles (rough dirt). In Hiking, New Mexico, North America, Outdoors, Places of Worship & Ruins, United States by Erik @ DIY Travel HQJuly 26, 2019Leave a Comment. However, most cars can make it in good weather; just dont drive your brand-new low-clearance luxury car out there. The nearest gas station to the south is located in Crownpoint (39 miles south of the park off HWY 371). Read Also: Mule Rides Grand Canyon South Rim. Over the years, we learned a few things that make our visits easier and more enjoyable. Original Vigas at Pueblo BonitaOriginal wood is still found in some of the buildings at Pueblo Bonita. Please ride single file. If youre a first time visitor to Chaco Canyon, you mightprefer a more touristy area, but if youre a solo traveler, a smaller hotel could be more interesting. Customized day or overnight trips are available on other dates. Watch the sunset at the ruins. 9 Mile Loop, 12 Chacoan Great Houses one of the largest concentrations of ancient Chacoan/Pueblan structures and cities in one place, the park features a nine mile paved loop with several of the largest and best preserved great houses. Please note that some roads recommended by Google, map publishers and mapping services using GPS are unsafe for passenger cars. Dont miss the Museum of Chaco Culture, where you can see artifacts from the site and learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who built it. Some areas havelots of things to do within walking distance, but the hotels may be more expensive. The only ones available at the park are at the visitor center. However, most cars can make it in good weather just dont drive your brand-new low-clearance luxury car out there. Otherwise the nearest hotels/motels are 1.5 hours away! Plan to spend at least 45 minutes here. Note: Due to COVID-19, the visitor center has limited hours and services. Chacoans built 16 major complexes made from tabular sandstone slabs, clay mortar, and timber imported from distant mountain areas. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The remaining 34 campsites can also accommodate RVs up to 35. Youll find the road to Chaco on maps as Highway 57 , a turn-off from Highway 9 . p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); If you are short on time, this is the place to spend it. Your next stop is Chetro Ketl, 4.5 miles from the visitor center. When visiting, it is possible to take either a professionally guided or a self-guided tour. Most of the ruins can be visited in a day. Besides being home to these amazing ruins, Chaco is also an International Dark Sky Park, so it is worth camping here to experience it. The Petroglyph Trail in particular is a nice, easy walk that is both scenic and even educational, so your visit can be as relaxing as you want it to be without compromising on sightseeing. If you have additional questions, please call the visitor center at 505-786-7014. Hungo PaviAnasazi ruin, Hungo Pavi at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Seventy miles from the nearest town and accessible only by washboard dirt roads, it's remote by today's standards. You may find a bit more selection a little farther in Farmington . The focal point for most visitors of Chaco Canyon is Pueblo Bonito, the largest prehistoric Southwest Native American dwelling ever excavated. The least amount of time you should plan on spending here is about an hour. In 1987, Chaco Culture National Historic Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Look no further as this collection of luxury log cabins is in the heart of all that is beautiful, near the ruins and historic Chaco Culture National Historical Park hotels and has everything you desire. Its a well-preserved and interesting look into how meeting spaces were defined, constructed, and used in Chaco Canyon. The visitors center is staffed year round and is a starting place for your adventure here. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You dont need a four-wheel drive to get through it, but a high-clearance vehicle is helpful. Check the parks website for the latest opening hours. There are a total of 48 Gallo campsites, 14 of which are exclusive to tents. Vehicle Entrance Fee: $25.00 for 7 days This permit allows all persons traveling in one private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to enter the park to visit for up to 7 days from the date of purchase. Pueblo Bonito is the most thoroughly investigated and celebrated cultural site in Chaco Canyon. About a mile away from many other locations of interest, Hungo Pavis ruins feature more than 70 rooms. The limited facilities includetoilets, picnic table, and fire grates. Historic. The ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. Plan on budgeting 3-4 hours at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. First, theres the solitude. See the Dark in the Park Featured Programme section below and learn how to take advantage of the unique and free nocturnal astronomy presentation given by park rangers during your stay. After miles of bouncing about in our rental car, I wondered if the same sentiment might be true for Chaco Canyon. Enough so that you can stand outside at night and easily see the Milky Way. Wearing good, solid hiking boots or shoes is key; we attempted a few of the trails and found they benefit from some preparation and smart footwear choices to ensure you keep your balance. Although there are some hikes available, all the main attractions are within a short distance from the 9 mile Canyon Loop Drive. The next 4+ miles of road into Chaco has . Its worth spending more time here, since it is the second largest great house in Chaco. No matter which type of visit you prefer, there are a few sites you will want to include on your Chaco Canyon itinerary. Any help will be appreciated. How many days do you need in Chaco Canyon? Visiting this park in an RV might be a good reason to upgrade your rig with solar panels. This will give you a chance to walk through all the rooms and explore the kivas. Acclimitise yourself to this coming from lower elevations, especially sea level. It is also possible to see the wood timbers that helped frame the structure. Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Culture National Historical ParkPueblo Bonito a Chacoan Great House at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Its a four lane freeway running diagonally through the state between Albuquerque and Farmington. About Ready? The overlooks of Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl are located on the ridge above, accessed from the slotted canyon behind the ruins of Kin Kletso. Though it lacks a great kiva, the site has all other characteristics of a typical Chacoan great house. Chaco Canyon Historical Park map, from the National Park Service web site. How to get to Chaco Canyon National Park? To visit Chaco Canyon is to immerse yourself in an incredible number of notable spots of social, spiritual, and historical significance. Hungo Pavi is the first Chacoan great house you will come across on the Canyon Loop Drive. Where are the best overlooks in Chaco Canyon? Here you can appreciate what the building looks like without excavation. Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves a major center of ancestral Puebloan culture dating between 850 and 1250 CE. Youll find a large multi-story structure you can explore inside and out as well as several kivas here. And of course, you never know which one it will be until you get there. There are no hotels near Chaco Canyon and its dirt road access makes it difficult-although not impossible-to do a simple day visit. How do you know when a chestnut tree is dying? Chaco Canyon is located in northwestern New Mexico. The trail itself is only a quarter of a mile long, but past that, you can walk inside the multi-story structure and explore the interconnecting rooms and low doorways. However, any road in to Chaco, is worth the dust, bumps and heat. The only structure standing in this area is a long wall the trail follows.
