Visitors walk through the ruins of a massive stone complex (Pueblo Bonito) at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in Northwestern New Mexico. Hungo Pavi,The Great House of Hungo Pavi was tucked up next to the rocks. Theres a sign but its small. Bring sunscreen. The park itself included a nine-mile paved loop linking the main ruins and several hiking trails to other sites. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, also known as Chaco Canyon, is the largest excavated prehistoric ruins in North America and is a must-see for history buffs and outdoor lovers. Chetro Ketl A large great house an possible ceremonial center dating to 900 AD. Google Maps said the journey would take about 75 minutes, but it ended up taking closer . It has been very dry so you should be a-ok! Even if you find an artifact on the ground, it must stay where you found it. If you are in 4wd trucks you may not care I hope this helps. More cars appeared in my rearview mirror trying to beat the storm. Today the massive buildings of the ancestral Pueblo peoples still testify to the organizational and engineering abilities not seen anywhere else in the American Southwest. We are Sheena & Erik, your friendly DIY Travel professionals! Please note that you will have to drive at least 10 miles of gravel road from either direction to reach the visitor center. From the south of the park:From I-40, take highway 371from Thoreau to highway 9 before turning on CR57. Whether exploring ancient ruins, shopping for silver and turquoise jewelry or just enjoying the ever-changing colors of the sky at sunset, New Mexico casts its charm on every visitor. Shutterstock Fajada Butte, Chaco Canyon, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico Quick Links There would be no stores in the canyon, and its a long drive if you forget to pack an item. A trip there is life-changing.Lets take a look at what its like to journey to this ancient, mysterious place. Chaco's ruins are very impressive and the site history is quite unique in the area. Getting here requires advance planning and a journey over 15 miles of unpaved, rough road. Thanks. Call ahead for road conditions if there has been any rain in the previous 48 hours. So is there somewhere else we should go to? Chaco Canyon is a very interesting and compelling place. We bought the self-guided booklets from the visitor center for the main sites here. Generators are allowed between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, but only for one hour at a time. Yes, I meant Mesa Verde. Located near a small cave ruin, there are no shaded areas, so come prepared. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. The storm loomed in the distance and paralleled the dirt road the entire drive back to the main (nicely paved) highway like a vulture stalking its prey. Thanks! Visiting this park in an RV might be a good reason to upgrade your rig with solar panels. }); Places like Mesa Verde come immediately to mind, but the area is scattered with many more out of the way places that can really make an adventure to the southwest something special. The ruins sites are going to be the best you'll come across. Save CC for a trip when you have plenty of time to enjoy it as a main attraction. I smiled. It would seem to be not quite true to claim that Chaco Canyon is near anything at all, and that for us is the point. A hat and sun screen is advisable. Robert Alexander / Archive Photos / Getty Images Running Bear STERLING SILVER TURQUOISE RING 2.25" Long at the best online prices at eBay! You might imagine that a group of amateur astronomers from Albuquerque are used to pretty good viewing and they were raving about the conditions at Chaco Canyon. The irony in this is that this whole trip started with a desire to see Chaco Canyon. You could easily spend an entire day here. We did the Crowpoint to White Horse detour (and then travelled south on 509 to Grants) and this route was all paved, even to Pueblo Pintado from where it's a good gravel road (thanks to NM Photojournalist who provided this info) but coming from ABQ it will be faster to drive 550. Pueblo Bonito The largest and best known Great House in the park. Left: The northern entrance to the park is on Highway 7950 is a rough dirt road. Required fields are marked *. You can carry a small compressor like I do, or repressure your tires at the Sinclair where road 7900 meets SR 550. The two memorable features are the kiva and rear wall. This is the only way into 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. Earlier that morning, I was at my friend Seans apartment in Santa Fe, New Mexico planning my route to Page, Arizona. We would like to visit Canyon de Chelly, Chaco . Check the calendar online or at the Visitor Center. Without any slight intended to it, I would say give it a miss this time since you're going to Mesa Verde. Pueblo BonitoRuins of Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. That said, the paved segment is no problem. Here are a few ideas (both big and small) to help you find the perfect gifts for friends and family this holiday season. The further you hike the happier you will be. Free shipping for many products! Simply start climbing between the crevice until you reach the top. Keep an eye on the weather during any visit to Chaco Canyon. When kids in the family reach the age of curiosity, a visit to the national historical park near Nageezi, New Mexico, U.S., should be in the cards. Last updated: February 22, 2023 Was this page helpful? Approx. Temperatures vary from 38-102 F (39-39 C) and can fluctuate by 60 F (33 C) in a single day. Available on weekends and at special celestial events throughout the year, the program offers presentations on archaeoastronomy, cultural history, and the viewing of heavenly bodies through telescopes. 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! I've been to Mesa Verde many times, to Canyons of the Ancients west of Cortez, to Bears Ears National Monument, Canyon de Chelly and to Hovenweep National Monument. When you return to the parking lot, head over to Pueblo del Arroyo for one last glimpse of a Chacoan great house before calling it a day. As I experienced in Greece, there is such a thing as too many ruins ;-) I'm glad they exist, but I don't need to see them ALL. United States - Best month for NW New Mexico - We are planning a girls trip to NW New Mexico and are wondering if Mid May would be a good time. Pueblo Bonito is the most visited site at Chaco Canyon; the biggest complex at the site. the dirt road wasn't too bad and the Park wasn't crowded so you can enjoy walking around the site and appreciate all of its wonder. Roads can be messy in the rainy season (July - Sept.). After visiting, we drove up to Farmington for the night and then back down to Bisti Badlands the next morning. 7. Chaco Culture National Historical ParkAnasazi ruin Hungo Pavi at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. A few sites to look out for: Una Vida Ruins - One of the earliest Great Houses. I grew up literally 2 blocks from theend of the pavement, so I am familiar with dirt roads, and I am not exaggerating. There's a lot of walking (and climbing) to be done and it just could not be accomplished in the time we had there. Bento theme by Satori, Salisbury Cathedral in Southwestern England. . Pueblo Bonito is the most important, most celebrated, and most scrupulously investigated site in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The noise didnt die down until after 10pm. The dirt road can be rough but is worth the time. Chaco Canyon can only be visited by driving on dirt roads. The stars. One night at Chaco is not enough. Anna Sofaer found the now-famous Sun Dagger petroglyph site on a desert butte high above Chaco Culture National Historical Park at Summer Solstice in 1977, leading to 30 years research into the meaning of ancient Chacos astronomical expressions. I remember that dirt road to and fro 550 which already took 1.5 hours. The Visitor Center is open from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Chetro Ketl Ruin at Chaco CanyonAnasazi ruin chetro ketl at chaco culture national historical park. Would love to be able to time travel and see it at its peak. While it is possible to visit the Canyon on a day trip, camping is a fun option. You really need a whole day. event.stopPropagation(); There are short and long hikes around the site. Firewood and food need to be brought into the campground. Be sure to bring (and drink) 1 liter of water for every hour of hiking. Casa Grande sits in the middle of a surrounding flat desert in Coolidge, Arizona, just a short drive from Phoenix. This area of New Mexico is home to a fantastic network of pueblo ruins built by ancient Anasazi people that date back to AD 850. Hungo PaviThe ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. Chaco Canyon definitely is one of the best places to visit but it takes a lot of time. Preferably something small like a VW Westphalia or small class B RV. Stuart Kenny Monday 27 Feb 2023 12:01 am. The good news, the water at the visitor center fill point is really good. (Betty is my Kia Spectra and faithful travel companion.) Running, yelling, loud or boisterous play is not appropriate, Chaco is an outdoor museum and a sacred place to many of todays Pueblo people. You'll find a large multi-story structure you can explore inside and out as well as several kivas here. Chaco Canyon is a wonderful location that offers a great opportunity to visit one of the largest ancestral Puebloan ruins in the American Southwest. Chaco Canyon Glamping Expedition. 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. Continue north on Highway 550 north for 36 miles until just before Nageezi. They're just so different. The Hopi and other ethnic groups of New Mexico trace their ancestry directly to the culture and people of Chaco Canyon. The ancient Pueblo people constructed several roads straight north. Chaco Canyon Historical Park map, from the National Park Service web site. Linking Chetro Ketl and Pueblo Bonito is a small detour that takes you to a cemetery. Four backcountry hiking trails access more remote sites and features. It's more than a little powerful walking through the remnants of that culture. Chaco Canyon Equinox & New Moon Overnight Glamping Expedition . The park offers camping facilities at the Gallo Campground, with 48 individual campsites. Easy terrain, but no shade. We rarely went above 5-10 mph. The air was electric. When you are driving the last 10 miles or so on deeply rutted dirt roads and the park ranger says the other route is worse, we could only assume he knew what he was talking about. The scenic . All eyes were on the wall of the once-enclosed Kiva. I backed up about 100 yards to a nearby driveway and turned around. It was only a 21- mile detour off the main road. Wings * #2. Top ways to experience Chaco Culture National Historical Park and nearby attractions Zipline / Adventure Tour 7 from $85.00 per adult 9-day Tour: Trail of the Ancients Multi-day Tours from $2,999.00 per adult (price varies by group size) PACKAGE: Ziplining/Adventure Tower, River Adventure, & Tico Time Day Pass 3 from $99.00 per adult If and when they regrade the road it may be different. Another concern is what is actually AT Chaco? There are a couple of downsides to camping, especially car camping. The best time to visit the Park is during Spring a nd Fall. The park entrance FINALLY came into view. The park is home to more, The Taos Pueblo World Heritage Site is an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to New Mexico. Pet owners must clean up after their animals. I absolutely recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle with good tires for this trip. There is a paved loop road within the park itself, but vistors must park at each site and then hike in; in order to see each of the individual sites. 12.The Blue Hole. The following are the Chaco Culture National Historical Park highlights. The pristine environment is wonderful for exploring desert and scrubland flora and fauna. Change). Every two minutes, I considered turning around. It's small and doesn't take much time to visit. The Gallo Campground has no shade throughout the year, and checkout time is 11 am. Bisti Wilderness Adventure $130 BOOK NOW. Make your first stop the Visitor Center. This trail was 2.5 miles, all average until the last 1/2 mile which feels almost straight up! You have at least a 1/2 hour drive on dirt roads to get to the park. Free shipping for many products! Chaco Canyon definitely is one of the best places to visit but it takes a lot of time. Helping you travel longer for less since 2016! Plan your upcoming visit to Chaco Canyon. 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. Check the Guided Tours page, the schedule at the Visitor Center or call 505-786-7014 for more information. Some areas havelots of things to do within walking distance, but the hotels may be more expensive. Roads can be messy in the rainy season (July Sept.). A short drive away is the trail to Pueblo Bonito Lookout with Kin Kletso at the base of the ascent. The Chaco Canyon NHP ranger-led tours offer fantastic insights into Chacoan history and life, along with their interest in astronomy. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Some Im back on the road, I have collected a list of my favorite travel items that I have discovered this year that have made my life easier. It was the religious center of the Anazasi. Check the Guided Tours page, the schedule at the Visitor Center or call 505-786-7014 for more information. It might be that they didnt call themselves anything since evidence suggests that they were made up of many different cultures. /* This is of course, back when we used to do that sort of thing to our historical sites. Chaco Canyon National Historical Park is one of those extraordinary gems and an excellent example of ArchaeoAstronomy. A storm started moving in as I was heading to the next set of ruins, Pueblo del Arroyo. 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. It appears that this great house would have rooms for several families. Make sure you take time to admire the excellent stone craftsmanship. This road ends shortly at a stop sign. You can also get off I-40 at Milan then take highway 605 to 509 to 9. When Janelle Ortega's cousin from Mexico is found brutally murdered at a remote petroglyph site in Saguaro National Park, she and her husband, archaeologist Chuck Bender, are drawn deep into a threatening web of hostility and deceit stretching . Chaco Canyon is very dry. The Gallo Campgrounds are closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and day, and New Years Eve and day during this time period. Red Queen and Hoodoos * #8. If you are pulling a trailer, I highly recommend you STOP AND DROP IT at Horsethief. Farmington and Bloomfield are the closest towns with motels. Chaco Canyon You bring the adventurous spirit, we'll supply the archaeology! Early Spanish explorers named the massive great house Pueblo Bonito because it resembled a 'pretty village.'. It's some years ago and I checked my notes but it took almost all day from SF to drive, visit and drive from there to Durango a visit to Aztec Ruins (also recommended) included. Each leading site has parking options, and a few places you can hide are the Hungo Pavi, Pueblo del Arroyo, Casa Rinconada, Pueblo Bonito, and Cheto Ketl. When the temperature is moderate throughout the day but cool at night. Well be driving to/from Sedona. You should also dress accordingly. Visit store; See other items; Chaco Canyon: Archaeology and Archaeologists Lister, Robert PB 1987 New Mexico . Ranger programs can be found on the park calendar. The NPS doesn't mention needing 4 wheel drive or high clearance but multiple comments on here mention needing them. less than 30 days prior to the program start date. Travel Guides, Budget Tips & Expert Interviews. To get there, you can travel from the Albuquerque area along New Mexico State Highway 550 most of the way. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. WARNING: The people. Very spirtual. Simply visit Recreation.govor call (877) 444-6777 to make a reservation. In Hiking, New Mexico, North America, Outdoors, Places of Worship & Ruins, United States by Erik @ DIY Travel HQJuly 26, 2019Leave a Comment. Its a four lane freeway running diagonally through the state between Albuquerque and Farmington. 50 % of order total. Two hikers look out over Bear Gulch Reservoir, Pinnacles National Park, California (Photo: Emily Pennington) Established by President Obama in 2013, Pinnacles is the newest of California's nine . Depending on how long you spend at each ruin site, it can take 2 to 4 hours to see the Chaco Canyon ruins, using the loop road. Its all herefrom savory Chickpea Soup to sweet Pion Nut Cake dripping with honey. Hi there. After leaving Albuquerque, we stopped in the tiny village of Cuba (population 742), for pancakes. If youre coming from Colorado, you can go through Durango, down to Farmington, and on to Chaco Canyon. Just count on most or the day for that visit. This is gravel area and pretty level. There is a maximum of 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 cars per campsite. From the north coming from I-25: Follow highway 550 past Cuba then turn left just past a convenience store (mile 112.5) onto CR7900. From mid-May to mid-October, visitors are required to take a shuttle bus from the White Rock visitor center to access the main visited area of Bandelier National Monument between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Follow our adventures around the world and the American Southwest on my blog www.jauntingjen.com To top it all off, the canyon setting is beautiful. Start with Chetro Ketl where you can continue to examine the Chacoan stonework up close. Lets take a look at all the things to do and places to visit on Canyon Loop Drive! Containing the most sweeping collection of ancient ruins north of Mexico, the park preserves one of the most important pre . FYI: the water at the water point next to the visitor center is excellent. really cool archaeological site. Their smallest one aint small, but it was fun and the bed was great. There is one campground in the park, near the visitors center, called the Gallo Campground. It not only covers admission to per vehicle attractions, but up to 4 people at per person sites. Still, we have the need to catalog and characterize, so we used the name Anasazi until recently. Built between 850 and 1150 A.D., it was the cultural center of the Chacoan world that covered a large area of the Southwest. 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. From 850-1150 AD, Chaco Canyon becomes a major center of Ancestral Puebloan culture.