The archaeological features of Chaco are quite impressive, but so is the scenic valley in which the site is located. Your email address will not be published. Chaco Canyon Day Tour - Heritage Inspirations LLC Follow the cairns back towards Pueblo Bonito until you reach the lookout. Plan to stay until closing time for some of the best views and photo opportunities. Wijiji Trail The last of the backcountry hiking trails, the Wijiji Trail is only 3 miles roundtrip and takes hikers past remains of Navajo communities and wagon roads from the mid-1700s. An Insider's Guide to the Four Corners Traffic & Travel Tips CLOSED: Hwy 57 (North section) from Blanco Trading Post (on US 550) is permanently CLOSED at the park's north boundary. jQuery(function($){
Even when regarding all of the obstacles, the park is still very much worth visiting. However, for most first-time visitors, the highlight of visiting Chaco is . Take your time while cruising around the park and be sure to look under the wash bridge to find a flowing stream, depending on the season. A Machu Picchu of the Southwestern U.S., Chaco Canyon was an epicenter for trade among several different Ancestral Puebloan groups like the modern-day Hopi and Navajo. Guided tours are offered regularly from May until October each year, and self-guided tours are easily completed based . Ranger programs can be found on the park calendar. Level Up Your Travel Skills With Our Newsletter. Turn right on, CR7950, which deteriorates quickly to a gravel road and eventually leads you to the park, which has glorious paved roads! Find more inspiration in one of the New Mexico guide books below! Join a park ranger on a guided walk through the largest great house in Chaco Culture NHP and learn about the people that called this canyon home. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. ), you do not need to purchase any of the passes below. 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. April through October, night sky programs and telescope viewing of the spectacular dark night sky are offered. Note: Some of the camping sites are closed because of the danger of rockfalls. Although most great houses had a south-facing orientation, Pueblo del Arroyo faced to the east. For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. The largest and most spectacular great house in Chaco, Pueblo Bonito is also the most important in the area. Hungo Pavi is the first Chacoan great house you will come across on the Canyon Loop Drive. Some spots also require traversing narrow spaces and situations that approximate rock scrambles, so be sure to know your limits and how far you plan to go. Chacoans had a sophisticated knowledge of the planetary system and used the Sun Dagger site to integrate the spiritual and physical worlds, set ceremonial calendars, and plan agriculture. 10 Best Places to Visit in New Mexico (with Map) - Touropia For more details check out our World Nomads review here. Chaco Canyon may be off the beaten path, but it is well worth the journey. Very scenic place to visit! - Review of Chaco Culture National I had my fire for Chaco Canyon reignited today at a program then fanned into a flame of I can do it, by your info. Here you can appreciate what the building looks like without excavation. Simply start climbing between the crevice until you reach the top. These trails usually have high vantage points where you can see the whole valley below. The park itself included a nine-mile paved loop linking the main ruins and several hiking trails to other sites. It is a large space that featured plenty of seating and was somewhat deeply entrenched in the ground, placing it a bit below the surface of the ground within the community. It was a black Ford Mustang struggling to get down the road. 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). Purchase of this entrance pass is not required if you already own an Interagency Pass (such as annual, Senior, Access pass for persons with permanent disabilities, Military, 4th Grade, etc. The road to the north of the park is shorter and more frequently traveled. Many visitors to Chaco Culture National Historical Park leave absolutely astonished by the magnitude of the constructed buildings. Not quite a year before that drive, as I sat inside of an icebreaker ship bound for Antarctica, I remembered a phrase that seemed appropriate as our boat fought the turbulence of the Drake Passage: you dont just visit Antarctica, you earn it. If you are short on time, this is the place to spend it. Your first stop should be the visitor center, where you can pick up a brochure and learn as much as possible about the park. From the dry desert ecosystem at Chaco Canyon to the pinyon-juniper woodlands at Mesa Verde, the geographic isolation of these parks offers visitors the ability to get off the beaten path to find solitude away from big crowds. Maps - Chaco Culture National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) I was one day into a three-week cross-country road trip. Mystical. After miles of bouncing about in our rental car, I wondered if the same sentiment might be true for Chaco Canyon. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The park entrance FINALLY came into view. Drinkingwater is only availableat the Chaco Culture National Historical Park Visitor Center, which is a mile away. It is also possible to see the wood timbers that helped frame the structure. I dig into all the details in my latest post! While you would be right that nothing else can even come close, the Casa Rinconada trail leads to the largest kiva at the site. The horizon was empty except for the occasional abandoned house. Whether youre here for two days or two months, this guide will answer all your questions about things to do, logistics and most importantly, where to EAT! Allow for between 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete the walk. In fact, for most visitors, its the first thing that catches their eye when entering the park.Fajada Butte is mesmerizing as it dominates the landscape and welcomes visitors to Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Considering it is the largest site, plan on spending most of your visit here. Things to Do in the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico Fees/Camping: $16 per vehicle for 7-day pass; camping is $15 per site and must be reserved in advance. Highlights of the tour include a well-preserved great kiva, elevated kivas, and several hundred feet of intact perimeter wall. Free permits are available at the Visitor Center and at all trailheads. Chaco Canyon National Historic Park boasts the most extensive collection of ancient pueblo ruins in the United States. 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. The Anasazi who lived in Chaco Canyon are now referred to as Chacoans. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you are wondering if a visit to Chaco Canyon is a great way to use your vacation time, here are some of the reasons you may love it as much as we did. Once you see Pueblo Bonito, you might be ready to leave, thinking that nothing can top the experience. 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. There are also small ruins at this site but the rock panel of ancient art is the biggest draw to the Una Vida hike. Una Vida and the visitor center are located in the Fajad Gap. The Road to Chaco Culture National Historical Park. More cars appeared in my rearview mirror trying to beat the storm. Always carry enough water to prevent dehydration while exploring this desert park. (There are only two exits, and apparently, that horrible road I took is the best.) Pueblo indigenous peoples have inhabited Chaco Canyon for thousands of years. Archaeologists assume that the higher petroglyphs were created by standing on roofs or using ladders. While exploring any of the ruins, make sure you carry water and wear a hat and sunscreen. Check the parks website for times and availability. It is located in the region known as the Four Corners, where the states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. Four backcountry hiking trails access more remote sites and features. Now, I was regretting that decision as I bounced along the dirt road feeling like I was the backseat of a jeep in rural India. There are around 37 hotel/motelsranging in price from around $35-115. November through February, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. March through April, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., May through October, and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. If a Mustang could drive this road, then so could Betty! Plan on taking at least one hour to complete the walk. (Betty is my Kia Spectra and faithful travel companion.) 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. Winter deters many national park visitors and is the prime time to visit Chaco Culture Historic Park to avoid crowds. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through The architecture was constructed from the 9th to the 12th century and the site was once the center of social, political, and architectural sophistication, all present in the superb structures. });
All sites and trails are open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (May 1-October 31), 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Nov 1-Feb 28), and 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Mar 1-Apr 30). Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form. 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. (Highway 371 will take you to Bisti Wilderness as well. From there, a 9-mile loop road accesses five major Chacoan sites, including Pueblo Bonito. In 1987, Chaco Culture National Historic Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides watching the sky on your own, the park features a small observatory near the visitor center. If its your first time here, consider joining a guided tour, offered from May to October. Allow about 45 minutes to tour Casa Rinconada. snowpeak / Flickr. It sits in a high desert canyon with little annual rainfall, little to no shade, and high summer temperatures in the 100-degrees with the occasional surprise monsoon. Continue with Recommended Cookies, BREAKING FREE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BUDGET, Home 7 Must-Do Things to Do at Chaco Canyon. 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. Afterward, enjoy an amazing view of the great house on the Pueblo Alto Trail. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Open Open All Year. Along with Pueblo Bonito, Una Vida is one of the oldest great houses and with about 160 rooms, the fifth largest. Two other interesting aspects of Casa Rinconada include the two T-shaped entrances on a south-north alignment and a subterranean passageway. For these reasons, Chaco Canyon is an ideal place for hiking, cycling, and camping. Close to Pueblo Bonito and boasting 300 rooms, it was the fourth-largest great house in Chaco Canyon and included 14 kivas. As a result, Chacoans had the ability to anticipate the movements of planets, stars, the moon, and the sun. There is so much to do in 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. Chetro Ketl is the second-largest great house and is located just before Pueblo Bonito along the 9-mile Canyon Loop Drive. Farmington is also very close to Aztec, which has nice ruins and an excellent museum, also. The Chaco Canyon is Culturally Significant for Pueblo Indians Tomacito, an old Navajo, with his wife and three grandchildren at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in 1934 Image by George A Grant from Wikimedia By 1050, Chaco had become the political, economic, and ceremonial centre of the Chacoan culture. eSIM cards are the futureready or not! I visited Chaco Canyon in a 22-foot motorhome and the dirt road took me 1.5 hours. 2023|An affiliate website brought to you by. Its worth spending more time here, since it is the second largest great house in Chaco. Recreation.gov! Many of the buildings and walls were built for astrological purposes and align with solstices. Follow signs to the park. It costs $20 per night or $10 with a national park pass and is open year-round. 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. Site Passes purchased on Recreation.gov are non-refundable and non-transferable. You can reserve a campsite on Recreation.gov or do a walk-up reservation at the visitor center. However, once youre within the parks boundaries, youll be back on a paved road. The most popular route into the park is from Santa Fe, a 3-hour adventure. What Chaco Canyon can call itself, though, is remarkable. At nearly 3 acres, Chetro Ketl is considered the largest great house by area in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The central plaza features numerous kivas. Both the Chacoans and the Incas were master builders. You could also try Airbnb, whichlists around 18 rentals from $20-130. 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). Some archaeologists have compared their findings to the sites excavated in Egypt, which tell similar stories about the social and cultural societies built by people centuries ago. Upon completion, the massive complex covered three acres, was five stories high, and had about 800 rooms. For those reasons, and for many more, Chaco Canyon is a worthy destination in the USAs Southwest and a perfect place to visit if you want to unlock the secrets of the native people who called some of the countrys most vivid landscapes home. You need to drive about 20 miles on a dirt road to reach Chaco Culture National Historical Park. 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. Below are seven amazing things to see at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Chaco Culture National Historical Park Plan Your Visit - US-Parks.com From the south of the park:From I-40, take highway 371from Thoreau to highway 9 before turning on CR57. Beyond their engineering achievements, they constructed intricate astronomical elements which enabled them to accurately track equinoxes, solstices, lunar standstill, and measure time. Huge ceremonial complexes, decorative pottery, great houses, and central plazas a thousand years old can all be viewed at this site. According to the visitors center, the roads crisscross both county and tribal land. The half-mile trail takes you through a few large structures, including a few elevated kivas (round ancient ceremonial centers) and a great kiva. Some of the roads in the area (including the CR7500 near Bisti Wilderness area) are improving due to the oil companies working in the area. Make sure you take time to admire the excellent stone craftsmanship. We are Sheena & Erik, your friendly DIY Travel professionals! The site is particularly interesting because it is one of the least excavated areas of Chaco Canyon, which means it is one of the most naturally preserved spots in the park. Today, the 60,000 -70,000 visitors per year can explore the greathouses, a free-standing great kiva, a complex of small house sites, and see a variety of petroglyphs. It is also a perfect place to watch the sunset over the Chacoan world. We provide tools and tips to discover After visiting, we drove up to Farmington for the night and then back down to Bisti Badlands the next morning. Pueblo Bonito was the center of the Chacoan world and was constructed in the shape of a semicircle. There are 5 stops along this one-way road and parking lots with restrooms at each trailhead. Its something much more complexits actually coming home. Whats so cool? Preserving some of the largest structures built by the Ancestral Puebloans, Chaco Culture National Historical Park is one of the most studied archaeological sites in the U.S. Southwest. Your last stop along the loop is Pueblo del Arroyo, showcasing another Chacoan great house built between 1025 and 1125. Created in 1907, Chaco Canyon National Monument became Chaco Culture National Historical Park in 1980 and, in 1987, a World Heritage Site. Guided Tours - Chaco Culture National Historical Park (U.S. National Because of this remoteness, Chaco Culture National Historical Park is not the easiest National Park to visit. Take the US-550 North to Indian Service Route 7900, followed by County Road 7950, wherein the dirt road begins. Description. upon arrival at the park.. var a = new RegExp('/' + window.location.host + '/');
There is a maximum of 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 cars per campsite. and reservations. It involves driving on a rough, bumpy, "wash board," dirt road for 13 miles, once you make the turn off from paved road CR 7900. Here are some tips on how to make the best of your trip to Chaco. Chaco Culture National Historical Park Guide - National Planning Cycles Pet owners must clean up after their animals. Over 50,000 pieces of turquoise were found in a single room in Pueblo Bonito, which is more than was found in all other archaeological sites in the American Southwest combined. In fact, the ruins in Chaco Canyon are some of the least visited sites showcased in national parks. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to recognize the incredible architectural and engineering achievements of the Chacoan people. 11 Cheapest Countries to Live on Less Than $1250 Per Month in 2023. The two memorable features are the kiva and rear wall. To visit Chaco Canyon is to immerse yourself in an incredible number of notable spots of social, spiritual, and historical significance. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Lake Oroville Community Update - June 2, 2023 - Department Of Water More Information: Google Maps Location for Red Mesa Express. Simply visit Recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777 to make a reservation. 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. Gallo campsites may be reserved in advance from March through October at $15 each. One of the most prominent features that can be viewed along the trail is the Fajada Butte, which makes the landscape seem out of this world. 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!) Recommendations for visit to Chaco Canyon - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums I was driving 10 mph, and my car was shaking so violently that I thought it might fall apart at any second. Chaco Canyon, the Architectural Heart of the Anasazi - ThoughtCo Bring binoculars for the best experience. Firewood and food need to be brought into the campground. Visit Chaco - VisitChaco.us Chaco Canyon National Historical Park is a treasure, but visiting the remote site takes some pre-planning. Then, a small RV appeared on the horizon strategically maneuvering all the ruts in the road. Even the paved roads were still a bit rough, but I made it to Page, Arizona with 20 minutes to spare. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. With about 400 rooms, the D-shaped structure is believed to have been used as a place for large-scale ceremonies.From the parking lot in front of Chetro Ketl, visitors can easily access Chetro Ketl, the petroglyph trail, and Pueblo Bonito. In fact, its quite unique to be located south of the San Juan River. You can do this by visiting the reservation website. Although New Mexico and the US are relatively safe places to travel in, medical costs are high so we always recommend purchasing travel insurance before any trip. $('a').each(function() {
Upon ascension, the remaining 0.7 miles to the scenic overlook is fairly flat. Archaeologists believe it was constructed to account for overcrowding at Pueblo Bonito. Best time to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park. 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. And due to COVID restrictions, you need to reserve the campground beforehand (not on the same day). I love visiting archaeological sites and Chaco Canyon certainly delivers. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);
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! Emese Fromm is a Phoenix-based freelance travel writer, translator, and language instructor. No An official form of the United States government. Its all herefrom savory Chickpea Soup to sweet Pion Nut Cake dripping with honey. Chaco Canyon is not situated near any major city; the closest city is Albuquerque, which is between 2.5 and 3 hours away. Besides the incredible archaeological remains of the Chaco site, the towering mesas and red sandstone walls surrounding the site are other top reasons to visit this national monument. The limited facilities includetoilets, picnic table, and fire grates. It seems unlikely that Chaco Canyon, with its long winters, short growing seasons, and marginal rainfall, could have become a hub of regional cultures. Outside the structure, explore the maze of kivas, proving the ceremonial importance of the site. It was only a 21- mile detour off the main road. Our latest posts and travel tips sent to your inbox once a month! The visitors center is a great place to find park information, chat with knowledgeable rangers, and get a sense for what you will see once you are walking along the ruins. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor By the mid-1100s Chaco Canyon began to experience a decline from which it never recovered. This road ends shortly at a stop sign. Chaco Culture National Historic Park Site Pass - Recreation.gov Very Large Array. Its 20.5 miles from the turn off to the park but itll take you a good hour possibly depending on road conditions. Once in the park, it is amazing to see the ruins that are thousands of years. With a diameter of about 70 feet, Casa Rinconada is one of the largest known great kivas. Need a Rental? Chaco Culture National Historical Park was established in 1907 as a way to protect the grand archaeological features of the park, such as the great houses. This is one of the coolest national park campsites Ive stayed in, and one of the best campsites New Mexico. No matter what your plans may be, visit the Chaco Canyon Visitors Center before you explore the rest of the park.