Into the park is unpaved and pretty rough. Between 850 and 1250 A.D., Chaco Canyon functioned as a ceremonial center whose influence was felt for hundreds of miles. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 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. Wear comfortable shoes, no matter how long you plan on hiking. If you can take the northern route your journey will be a bit shorterand a bit smoother. There are more kivas surrounding the main plaza than you can shake a stick at. Your next stop is Chetro Ketl, 4.5 miles from the visitor center. A short drive away is the trail to Pueblo Bonito Lookout with Kin Kletso at the base of the ascent. You wont have a lot of choices when it comes to lodging, especially at the park itself: aside from camping, the closest town will be Farmington, New Mexico, which is 90 minutes north and has several hotel choices. This is a wonderful way to experience both the Great Houses and canyon. The only ones available at the park are at the visitor center. There, in a mile-high desert , one of North America's most complex societies flourished for three centuries, from roughly C.E . It has 49 regular campsites and 2 group sites that can accommodate between 10 and 30 people. Rio Rancho, New Mexico 0 Votes Bloomfield, NM has a very nice Best Western and it is closer than Farmington. During our visit to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, we werent aware that Chaco Canyon camping was an option. You dont need a four-wheel drive to get through it, but a high-clearance vehicle is helpful. Why are travel refunds taking so long now? How do you know when a chestnut tree is dying? Have a happy trip! The closest town is about an hour away.) 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. Youll find a large multi-story structure you can explore inside and out as well as several kivas here. You can try broadening your search by changing some of the filters or move and zoom-out into the map to show more results. How to get to Chaco Canyon National Park? The largest and most spectacular great house in Chaco, Pueblo Bonito is also the most important in the area. We can verify that the roads are indeed rough. Its 20.5 miles from the turn off to the park but itll take you a good hour possibly depending on road conditions. You'll find a large multi-story structure you can explore inside and out as well as several kivas here. 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. The city is thought to have been at its peak between AD 900 and 1150 and was home to the largest concentration of Ancient Pueblo Peoples in the American Southwest. Imagine seeing the ancient walls under a starry night! 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). Though the dark skies might be your reason to camp in Chaco, camping is the only lodging available in the park. With no running water, no power, no cell phone connection, this experience has always been what we consider an essential experience when visiting the southwest. We could say it's near the town of Cuba, but the truth is, it's more accurate to say that Cuba is one of the nearest towns. From Gallup, NM, take Highway 264 WEST then Highway 191 NORTH. The quarter-mile flat trail takes you through an area that might give you a good idea of what the unexcavated ruins look like. Warning: Some of the local roads recommended by map publishers and GPS devices are unsafe for passenger cars. Linking Chetro Ketl and Pueblo Bonito is a small detour that takes you to a cemetery. Here's our Top for Fun list from our days camping in Chaco Canyon. From the south of the park: From I-40, take highway 371from Thoreau to highway 9 before turning on CR57. Is Chaco Canyon open to public? It is about 29 miles from SR 550 near Nageezie to Chaco 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. Here is a link to the official park service directions for getting there. Its about3 hours (161 miles) northwest of Albuquerque, or 90 minutes (75 miles) southeast from Farmington. Your next stop is Chetro Ketl, 4.5 miles from the visitor center. However, any road in to Chaco, is worth the dust, bumps and heat. And due to COVID restrictions, you need to reserve the campground beforehand (not on the same day). You dont need a four-wheel drive to get through it, but a high-clearance vehicle is helpful. Carry plenty of water and snacks with carbohydrates. Glancing behind us through the mirror on the passengers side of the car, I watched as a plume of dust rose into the air, enshrouding the rear of the vehicle in a veil of tan and brown. In 1987, Chaco Culture National Historic Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides, when you camp here, youll have your own ruins at the campground, in an alcove. Chaco comprises individual great houses, some of the best-preserved and most complex prehistoric structures in North America. Bring binoculars for the best experience. Helping you travel longer for less since 2016! Its a four lane freeway running diagonally through the state between Albuquerque and Farmington. Its worth spending more time here, since it is the second largest great house in Chaco. To walk among the ruins so carefully constructed by the people who lived there centuries ago opens your eyes to their unique communityand the similarities between their lives and our own. Of course, the point of visiting Chaco Canyon is to view the ruins. While you would be right that nothing else can even come close, the Casa Rinconada trail leads to the largest kiva at the site. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. It's a 1.5 hr / 90 mile drive north. About Ready? To get a good feel for Chaco takes about 3 days 2 nights. Many of the people who lived there moved on to new parts of the region, ultimately abandoning the settlement. Although there are some hikes available, all the main attractions are within a short distance from the 9 mile Canyon Loop Drive. To walk the full trail and stop along the wall, count on spending about thirty minutes here. Outside the structure, explore the maze of kivas, proving the ceremonial importance of the site. Discover the luxury you are looking for in the western saloon turned glamping cabin or one of the many exquisite options nestled in the natural setting of the mountains. There is no way to avoid the dirt road into Chaco so I stay in Cuba because it has more amenities and has better road conditions leading into Chaco from the east. 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. If you want some easier walking, many places of interest are right off the Canyon Loop Drive, which is easy to drive and doesnt require a lot of physical effort. The Gallo Campgrounds are closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and day, and New Years Eve and day during this time period. Public Transportation 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. 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. Best Western Territorial Inn & Suites Show prices Enter dates to see prices 424 reviews 415 S Bloomfield Blvd, Bloomfield, NM 87413-3057 44.8 miles from Chaco Culture National Historical Park #1 Best Value of 33 places to stay in Nageezi Original Vigas at Pueblo BonitaOriginal wood is still found in some of the buildings at Pueblo Bonita. The route includes 8 miles of paved road and 13 miles of dirt road. There are no hotels near Chaco Canyon and its dirt road access makes it difficult-although not impossible-to do a simple day visit. You May Like: Grand Canyon North Rim Camping. Besides Farmington, Bloomfield; just east of there, are the two closest major cities to Chaco Canyon. Two-time MVP's historic, Cowboys scout had no clue Jerry Jones would draft, NBA playoffs rankings: Who's No. It might be that they didnt call themselves anything since evidence suggests that they were made up of many different cultures. Past the visitor center, a nine-mile paved loop drive takes you through the site, with parking areas for each individual structure. We visited in mid-October for the Albuequerque Balloon Festival and found it pleasant during the day, but cold at night. 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. Check the parks website for times and availability. Youll find a large multi-story structure you can explore inside and out as well as several kivas here. You need to drive about 20 miles on a dirt road to reach Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Below are the best places to stay near Chaco Canyon. Another concern are sudden storms so keep up-to-date with weather forecasts. As an important note, there are no public transportation options available; your journey to Chaco Canyon can only be taken by car. 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? Simply visit Recreation.govor call (877) 444-6777 to make a reservation. over a year ago Reviewed this attraction NMFireHor. There are all sorts of trails once you get into the Chaco Canyon site. 3 Where should I stay to see Chaco Canyon? From Kayenta, AZ, take Route 59 SOUTHEAST then Highway 191 SOUTH. There is one campground in the park, near the visitors center, called the Gallo Campground. Chaco Canyon is remembered as a gathering place in the lore of todays Pueblo and Navajo tribes. The closest decent lodging is in Albuquerque.I would start early in Santa Fe, go to Chaco, then drive back and go in to Albuquerque. There are around 37 hotel/motelsranging in price from around $35-115. Via Pueblo Pintado: At the community of Pueblo Pintado, turn north on Navajo 46 for 10 miles (rough dirt). Disappointing to say the least.
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