The Anasazi are believed to have lived in the Four Corners area as far back as 1500 B.C. The Gallo Campground has no shade throughout the year, and checkout time is 11 am. When visiting the site, remember that you wont find restrooms at the individual structures. It is a massive D-shaped structure that had somewhere between 600 and 800 rooms. You need to drive about 20 miles on a dirt road to reach Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Please note that you will have to drive at least 10 miles of gravel road from either direction to reach the visitor center. Beyond their engineering achievements, they constructed intricate astronomical elements which enabled them to accurately track equinoxes, solstices, lunar standstill, and measure time. What does a vitamin A deficiency look like? Groups can experience the grandeur of Chaco Culture National Historical Park with an expanded schedule of guided day trips offered through Albuquerques Hotel Chaco. One of Adams favorite tips for any trip is to wear sunscreen, and that is doubly true at Chaco Canyon, where high altitudes (more than 6,000 feet above sea level!) Other times, we found the road just as you describe here. And due to COVID restrictions, you need to reserve the campground beforehand . 4 ways to help you, Lifesavers: Your iPhone or Apple Watch can, Todays top money market account rate roundup, 14 things banned at Disney World that you may not be aware of, How herring fishermen may get SCOTUS to reel in Washington's power, Sophie Turner says video of daughter on Instagram was an accident, 'Devastated': Army names 3 soldiers killed in Alaska helicopter crash, DeSantis OKs death penalty for child rape, defying US Supreme Court, First Republic Bank seized, sold to JPMorgan Chase: What to know, Snoop Dogg emerges as member of group interested in buying NHL team, Who is Karl Lagerfeld? A: The nearest gas station is 21 miles north of the park at the junction of US 550 and CR 7900. 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 Culture National Historical Park really is the place to be. We stayed at Motel 6. Of course, the point of visiting Chaco Canyon is to view the ruins. What makes Chaco Culture National Historical Park so special is that it was constructed during the peak of cultural and societal development. Bloomfield, Aztec and Farmington, New Mexico, are the closest towns to Chaco Canyon National Historical Park's main north road. I found this art-filled boutique hotel in Albuquerque, NM to be a convenient location because it seemed I could travel to all of Albuquerques attractions or dining experiences, including the Historic Old Town within 10 minutes. 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. Stop along the loop at each individual site to explore these structures and their surroundings, a protected natural area in a desolate but gorgeous part of the high deserts. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Dating back to approximately the time of Pueblo Bonito, Una Vidawhich translates to One Lifeis one of the original three great houses in Chaco Canyon. We were there one night when one of the group sites was occupied by the Albuquerque Astronomical Society; a group of friendly people willing to share their views from their amazing telescopes. Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon Benjamin Oswald (CC BY-NC-SA) Chacoans migrated to surrounding communities to the north, south, and west with less marginal environments, which reflected Chacoan influence during this time. Chaco Canyon Historical Park map, from the National Park Service web site. You arrive only after miles of challenging terrain, backed by the knowledge and research it requires to know how exceptional the site will be to explore. There are a few reasonably decent hotels in Grants, or at least that is where I spent the night.This is what the NPS web site says:Keep in mind when driving through these places that there is literally nothing for many, many miles. The quarter-mile round-trip trail through the site is gravel but climbs a few steep rises. The visitors center is staffed year round and is a starting place for your adventure here. We wish we had known about this earlier as the pass investment can easily pay for itself with just a couple National Park visits. You earn it. Look out through some of the window openings for some gorgeous views of Chaco Canyon. To get there, you can travel from the Albuquerque area along New Mexico State Highway 550 most of the way. Containing the most sweeping collection of ancient ruins north of Mexico, the park preserves one of the most important pre-Columbian cultural and historical areas in the United States. 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. Plan to stay until closing time for some of the best views and photo opportunities. Each is about an hour and a half from the park's entrance.. 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. We could say its near the town of Cuba, but the truth is, its more accurate to say that Cuba is one of the nearest towns. Our latest posts and travel tips sent to your inbox once a month! Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a sprawling park in northeast New Mexico. The route includes 8 miles of paved road (CR 7900 & CR7950) and 13 miles of rough dirt road (CR7950). If camping is not your idea of fun, the closest towns where youll find a variety of hotels are Aztec (69 miles), Farmington (74 miles), or Gallup (94 miles). Besides watching the sky on your own, the park features a small observatory near the visitor center. In 1987, Chaco Culture National Historic Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located approximately 150 miles north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves more than 15 Chacoan "great houses" that were the hubs of Puebloan civilization between 850 A.D. and 1150 A.D. The national park contains an interesting collection of ancient ruins that date back over 1,000 years. Call the park (505-786-7014) for current road conditions. Generators are allowed between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, but only for one hour at a time. Pueblo BonitoOne of the standing walls of Pueblo Bonito with windows. Isolated from other structures, youll find the Great Kiva, with a diameter of 64 feet, half sunk into the ground at the end of a quarter-mile trail through a barren landscape. Camping is the only lodging available in the park itself. It might be that they didnt call themselves anything since evidence suggests that they were made up of many different cultures. 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. What syndrome is characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness? Note: Some of the camping sites are closed because of the danger of rockfalls. Cliff Palace is Mesa Verdes largest and best-known site, and North Americas largest cliff dwelling, with 150 rooms (you climb five 8-10-foot ladders and can descend into one of its kivas). The closest town is about an hour away.) From the visitor center, take the short trail to Una Vida, a set of smaller ruins on top of the hill. Our 8 Favorite Places For Stargazing In The U.S. 7 Incredible Ancient Ruins To Explore In U.S. National Parks. 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. If you can take the northern route your journey will be a bit shorterand a bit smoother. You could also try Airbnb, whichlists around 18 rentals from $20-130. However, the biggest thrill and highlight of the day during our visit was taking the Pueblo Alto Trail up the side of a cliff to gain an aerial perspective of Pueblo Bonito. Here's our Top for Fun list from our days camping in Chaco Canyon. Booking.com Hotels near Chaco Culture National Park Bloomfield, NM Use this simple form to find hotels, motels, and other lodging near Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This will give you a chance to walk through all the rooms and explore the kivas. Considering it is the largest site, plan on spending most of your visit here. You then return the same way. From Flagstaff, AZ, take I-40 EAST then Highway 191 NORTH. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The Gallo Campgrounds are closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and day, and New Years Eve and day during this time period. 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. var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; Plan to spend at least 45 minutes here. Address: 1808 CR 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037 Rates shown below are averages. Look up and notice the corner window in one room, built so the sun can shine through during the solstices. Chaco Canyon is located inside Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Chaco is an amazing cultural gem. The impressive masonry work at Chaco Canyon. Would love to stay longer but could not imagine driving it again when we were to leave. There are around 37 hotel/motelsranging in price from around $35-115. Original Vigas at Pueblo BonitaOriginal wood is still found in some of the buildings at Pueblo Bonita. The following are the Chaco Culture National Historical Park highlights. *. Gallo campsites may be reserved in advance from March through October at $15 each. It is easy to tell that Kin Kletso was built at a later time where the walls were formed from larger stones and were less intricate. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. The only real reason to go camping at Chaco Canyon is to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Casa Rinconada is one of four kivas at Chaco Canyon. These pueblos were often built to reflect the movements of the sun or moon, and contained large ceremonial structures called kivas. Turn left on County Road 7950, and follow the signs 16 miles to the park entrance (3 miles paved and 13 of rough dirt road). Bring along sun protection, a hat, and rain gear. can contribute to strong sunrays. Follow the rules of the road and be alert for vehicles. 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. There are no more accommodations that exactly fit your criteria. The reason for this is their remoteness. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chaco Canyon is a remarkable place. From the north, turn off US 550 at CR 7900--3 miles southeast of Nageezi and approximately 50 miles west of Cuba (at mile 112.5). Bloomfield (61 miles, an hour and a half), Farmington (74 miles, an hour and a half), Albuquerque (151 miles via Highway 550, 3 hours), Santa Fe (178 miles via Highway 550, 3 hours). Photo by Elizabeth R Rose. You can visit the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which lies in the northwestern part of New Mexico between Albuquerque and Farmington. Public Transportation There is a limit of six people, two tents, and two vehicles at each campsite. Somewhere with reasonable selection of lodging options, stores and restaurants. The closest cities are Farmington, NM (72 miles north) and Albuquerque, NM (170 miles south). If youre coming from Colorado, you can go through Durango, down to Farmington, and on to Chaco Canyon. Chaco Canyon is dry and often has extreme temperaturesespecially during the hot summersso having extra water is a great idea. The closest lodging options from the south, along Route 66 are in Gallup and Grants, approximately 90 miles away. Where are the best overlooks in Chaco Canyon? Here is a link to the official park service directions for getting there. Its a well-preserved and interesting look into how meeting spaces were defined, constructed, and used in Chaco Canyon. (It would be a shame to drive all the way out here and be unable to stay. There are multiple ways to get to Chaco National Park. Just behind Kin Kletso is the start of the Pueblo Bonito Lookout trail. It's 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. . November through February is on a first come, first served basis. Experts say it depends, Met Gala: See Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman hit, Who's ahead in USA TODAY TV poll? Let's get the negative out of the way first. They dont recommend it for RVs. Besides watching the sky on your own, the park features a small observatory near the visitor center. I agree with the traveller who says to check road conditions. Pueblo BonitoRuins of Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The least amount of time you should plan on spending here is about an hour. Archeologists believe that Chaco Canyon may have been a religious or ceremonial center for the Anasazi, where members of different clans gathered to perform rites and to trade. The quarter-mile round-trip trail through the site is gravel but climbs a few steep rises. Chaco Culture National Historical Park Entrance Fee, Things to Do in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Hungo PaviThe ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. Does it cost anything to enter Chaco Canyon? RVs up to 35 feet can fit in the campground, but theres no water at the sites, no power, and no sewer, although there is a dump station in the campground. Your next stop is Chetro Ketl, 4.5 miles from the visitor center. Chaco Canyon has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park and we have information on experiencing a presentation highlighting this distinction. Built between 850 and 1150 A.D., it was the cultural center of the Chacoan world that covered a large area of the Southwest. It also hosts the ruins of its own circular kiva. Please bear this in mind to guarantee your reservation. In terms of historical significance and uniqueness, Chaco is oftentimes compared to the ancient city of Rome, Egypts pyramids, or Stonehenge. The great house was most likely used to house people who lived in the area as opposed to royalty or religious leaders. For example, the last 20 miles to the park take place on a washboard dirt road. The northern and southern routes include 13, 20, and 33 miles of dirt roads, respectively. Use Search above to see rates for your dates. It's a 1.5 hr / 90 mile drive north. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. There are also several ruins that are more remote and accessed only by walking, but the trails are open to the public and well marked. Mystical. 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 main entrance into the park is from US Highway 550. Rio Rancho, New Mexico 0 Votes Bloomfield, NM has a very nice Best Western and it is closer than Farmington. One way to explore Chaco Culture National Historical Park is to bike. In addition to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, the World Heritage property includes Aztec Ruins National Monument and several smaller Chaco sites. The main entrance into the park is from US Highway 550. Youre welcome to do a Google search and call them, but I really think you should just drive to Albuquerque. Pueblo Bonito. There is a ton to see and do at Chaco Canyon, and its a good idea to plan to spend at least a half day there if possible. Hiking is one of the most popular activities; there are four backcountry trails that extend as long as eight miles, allowing plenty of opportunities to stretch and challenge yourself while taking in some of the incredible views of the ruins and the landscapes beyond them. Chaco Canyon is located inside Chaco Culture National Historical Park. No, because there are no good motels to my knowledge. Laying in the middle of the Navajo Nation, reachable only by a dirt road, Chaco is far from any tourist route, adding to its mystery, and to some unbelievable dark skies. Most sites are open to RVs or tents. The ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. To give you a starting pointfor your trip research, we looked at what people say about hotels near Chaco Canyon. The nearest gas station to the south is located in Crownpoint (39 miles south of the park off HWY 371). The regular sites are most appropriate for tent camping, and most of them have a tent pad. The directions here are from Albuquerque, NM. The route includes 8 miles of paved road and 13 miles of dirt road. You can do this by visiting the reservation website. This is a must see when at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Chaco Canyon is listed as an International dark sky Park with the IDA Dark Sky Association. Map detail of Chaco Canyon and the 8 mile loop that provides national park access. The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. No matter where you spend the night, you need to bring your own food when visiting Chaco. In fact, many people think that the park would be one of the nations most popular if it wasnt so hard to reach. Most of it is good, though youll have to pass cattle guards and some rough parts. I also recommend looking at the NPS website which has a lot of good info you may find useful: Dont Miss: Best Time For Lower Antelope Canyon. Its 20.5 miles from the turn off to the park but itll take you a good hour possibly depending on road conditions. Its always worth running a search on airbnb.com and homeaway.com to see if there are any private homes available to rent for a night or two. Is Chaco Canyon open to public? The one-mile round-trip walk includes views of petroglyphs. Despite its location in New Mexicos remote high desert, Chaco Canyon National Historical Park was once the site of a thriving culture. So if you are looking to rage it up and party while camping at Chaco Canyon, this is not the place for you. You dont need a four-wheel drive to get through it, but a high-clearance vehicle is helpful. Firewood and food need to be brought into the campground. Dont worry, youll be fine as long as youre not claustrophobic or scared of heightskidding! By Plane International airports located in Phoenix, AZ (5 hours) or Albuquerque, NM (4 hours). It is located in the region known as the Four Corners, where the states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. For decades, archaeologists remained busy excavating and discovering tens of thousands of artifacts that helped to tell the story of Chaco Canyon, the Anasazi, and the peoples who both lived and connected there. Note: Due to COVID-19, the visitor center has limited hours and services. The trail is easy, though it has a few rocky areas and it might get slippery when wet (an extremely rare occurrence at Chaco). Besides writing for online travel magazines, she publishes a travel blog, teaches Hungarian as a foreign language, and works as a freelance translator. If its your first time here, consider joining a guided tour, offered from May to October. While, the closest options overall are from the north in Bloomfield, approximately 60 miles from the park. Once you see Pueblo Bonito, you might be ready to leave, thinking that nothing can top the experience. The trail is easy, though it has a few rocky areas and it might get slippery when wet . The nearest towns to look for accommodations are Bloomfield , Aztec, or Cuba. I want to visit and explore the Chaco Canyon area in New Mexico and am looking for advice for a good base location for day trips. Note that the signs directing you to turn off of Hwy 371 onto Highway 9 are missing. Luxury log cabins near Chaco Culture National Historical Park are the ideal getaway. Please use our directions below to avoid getting lost or stuck. With such great distances and time between major cities, it makes sense to take advantage of Chaco Canyon camping and see other nearby remote attractions in northwest New Mexico. While theyre passable by just about any vehicle, they had a lot of wash boarding which makes for a rough ride thats hard on your car. The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. A native Hungarian from Transylvania (Romania), Emese grew up surrounded by multiple cultures and speaks several languages. How to Get There Hungo PaviAnasazi ruin, Hungo Pavi at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The notion that it was a cultural and religious center comes from the evidence that it seems to have a larger than normal number of ceremonial areas too, compared to the number of people who were thought to live here. The best time to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park,New Mexico is during the spring and fall when the temperature is milder. Chaco Canyon is remembered as a gathering place in the lore of todays Pueblo and Navajo tribes. During really wet weather, we might be a little concerned about using a two wheel drive vehicle, and big touring bikes (Harleys, Gold Wings, and so on) are simply out of the question. The park and campground are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day. 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. Read Also: Places To Stay In Bryce Canyon, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Most of it is good, though youll have to pass cattle guards and some rough parts. 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. Check the parks website for the latest opening hours. 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. If rain, snow, or thunderstorms are in the forecast simply call the visitor center or visit their website for road conditions and park closures. Extremely interesting, but will NEVER make the drive again. If you adore the great outdoors, getting a place to stay near Chaco Culture National Historical Park is the answer. If you don't want to camp, the closest town to Chaco Culture National Historical Park is Farmington. Bloomfield, Aztec and Farmington, New Mexico, are the closest towns to Chaco Canyon National Historical Parks main north road. There is one campsite, and reservations are recommended. Dont Miss: Where To Go At The Grand Canyon.