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. What was it like a thousand years ago to watch these same constellations trace a path across the night sky? Tours . But I keep hearing of all these other places that are better, and I wonder if we'll go to all the hassle of getting there and then be disappointed. Visitors walk through the ruins of a massive stone complex (Pueblo Bonito) at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in Northwestern New Mexico. 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. Of course, the point of visiting Chaco Canyon is to view the ruins. The service is spotty, and second, some of the roads do not show up on GPS. My first thought: Am I driving into the beginning of a horror movie? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for CHACO CANYON Signed R.B. The view was surreal and worth every minute of the terrible drive. We can verify that the roads are indeed rough. The horizon was empty except for the occasional abandoned house. So best will be from 550. Wayne and his family own Horsethief Campground, a Dry Camp area, just past the end of the pavement. I recommend at stopping by Aztec Ruins National Monument, and then to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, May through October 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, November through April Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day Entrance Fees: The following fees are current as of October 21st 2018: I absolutely recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle with good tires for this trip. It is the only tributary left in the Colorado River . The night skies mark for ideal stargazing. Get off the cliffs and out of open spaces if you hear thunder or see lightning. A few sites to look out for: Una Vida Ruins One of the earliest Great Houses. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13268219', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Albuquerque to Chaco, it took less than four hours, going via 550. And of course, you never know which one it will be until you get there. Would I do it all again? Chaco Canyon is one of the oldest places of habitation in the United States. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. After Cuba, follow these directions into Chaco Canyon: The last road into the park (Highway 7950) is 21 miles. Located off Route 70 in New Mexico, the White Sands National Monument is at an elevation of 4235 feet in the Tularosa Basin. 1 Visiting Chaco Canyon 1.1 Driving to Chaco Canyon 2 Chaco Ruins, the Archaeological Site 2.1 Una Vida 2.2 Hungo Pavi 2.3 Next Stop 2.4 Chetro Ketl 2.5 The Petroglyph Trail 2.6 Pueblo Bonito 3 A Hike to the Mesa Top 3.1 Klin Kletso 3.2 The Trail to the Top 3.3 At the Overlook 3.4 At the Casa Rinconada, Home of the Great Kiva Short self-guided trails are marked at each site. Petrified Logs * #5. My first stop was the most important and stunning set of ruins in the park Pueblo Bonito. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. At about 15 miles you hit the end of the county maintained gravel road. Chetro Ketl Ruin at Chaco CanyonAnasazi ruin chetro ketl at chaco culture national historical park. */ Check the Guided Tours page, the schedule at the Visitor Center or call 505-786-7014 for more information. The following are the Chaco Culture National Historical Park highlights. I smiled. more. The limited facilities includetoilets, picnic table, and fire grates. Remnants of Turbulent Streambed #3. It not only covers admission to per vehicle attractions, but up to 4 people at per person sites. A small square of light appeared and began to move from left to right before reaching the final resting place on a niche in Casa Rinconada. Would love to stay longer but could not imagine driving it again when we were to leave. There would be no stores in the canyon, and its a long drive if you forget to pack an item. Chaco Canyon Adventure $147 BOOK NOW. Have fun!!! less than 30 days prior to the program start date. You can purchase tickets at the visitor center, and enjoy the great introductory movie that explains Chaco Culture and what you will see on your journey through Chaco Canyon. Getting there is another story. When itdries, it's as hard as rock and all the ruts and washboards remain until the next rain. The turnoff is 3 miles southeast of Nageezi. Chaco Canyon can only be visited by driving on dirt roads. A visit to the Homestead Crater in Heber Valley, Utah, makes for a fantastic experience. Turn right on county road 7950. New Mexico's premier travel company, Heritage Inspirations, provides year-round, all-inclusive authentically-curated guided tours. The best time to see this glowing phenomenon is late at night when the sky is darkest. There are short and long hikes around the site. Google Maps said the journey would take about 75 minutes, but it ended up taking closer . Travel Guides, Budget Tips & Expert Interviews. Bento theme by Satori, Salisbury Cathedral in Southwestern England. Too many is just too many. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. You say that Nat'l Geographic recommended it What's the organization and how do we contact them? For a deeper contact with the canyon that was central to . There is no shade. The air was electric. I am almost 100% certain this is Navajo Land, so take your chances if you want to spend the night. . Hawk's Nest #6. If you are short on time, this is the place to spend it. Make sure you take time to admire the excellent stone craftsmanship. Once the pavement ended, I was bouncing along through the horror movie set again on the dirt road behind another car. 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. We love to hike, hunt for crystals and minerals, and visit historic sites and ruins scattered throughout the southwest. I was planning a full day to get to MV. Fajada Butte Overlook the place of the famous sun dagger. } It was the religious center of the Anazasi. The first six miles are paved, and the last fifteen are unpaved. 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. You could easily spend an entire day here. The hikes range from an easy two-mile Pueblo Bonito overlook, to a grueling seven-mile Penasco Blanco trip. 12.The Blue Hole. 'Best Trips 2019' NATGEO TRAVEL . To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Disappointing to say the least. }); Fees/Camping: $16 per vehicle for 7-day pass; camping is $15 per site and must be reserved in advance. Its all herefrom savory Chickpea Soup to sweet Pion Nut Cake dripping with honey. To see photos and get more info on Chaco, visit http://www.nps.gov and go to CHaco. Go up a notch with this one, and sign up for a Night Sky Program at the park. Many of the buildings and walls were built for astrological purposes and align with solstices. Get hold of a trail guide booklet at the Visitor Center before you start your hike, and irrespective of the trail you choose, your walk will give you a chance to experience a unique landscape amid ruins unlike anywhere else in the world. We are going to be in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Dozens of backcountry hikes are waiting for explorers at Chaco Canyon. Here are a few ideas (both big and small) to help you find the perfect gifts for friends and family this holiday season. It is mind boggling to learn about how and think about why this was constructed a millennium ago. There is reasonably good road access to all the major ruins as well as hiking trails between them. On the other hand, Mesa Verde is more scenic, where Chaco is in a pretty austere desert setting, but both are beautiful in their own way. The surrounding scenery is gorgeous and the park/ruins are beautiful. There is also industrial traffic from oil fields in the area. November through February is on a first come, first served basis. My last stop was Casa Rinconada, the largest excavated kiva in the park. The geothermal hot spring is housed within limestone rock in the shape of a beehive. Your email address will not be published. 50 % of order total. 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. Check, Situated only a few miles west of downtown Tucson is the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Chaco Canyon National Park is one of the best ways to spend your time in New Mexico. The site is home to the, There are so many reasons to visit Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. Hotels near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Hotels near University of New Mexico Taos Klauer Campus, Things to do near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park Tours and Tickets, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Nageezi, Chaco Culture National Historical Park: Tickets & Tours, Vienna Mozart Concert in Historical Costumes at the Musikverein, Piton Sunset Snorkel Cruise St. Lucia From Castries, Go City: Boston Explorer Pass - Choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 Attractions, Hoover Dam Kayak Tour on Colorado River with Optional Pickup in Las Vegas, Dolce Vita vintage photo tour with the iconic yellow Fiat 500, Mayan Inland Expedition - Coba Ruins, Punta Laguna and Mayan family, VIS Island (Mamma Mia Island) PRIVATE TOUR, See all 1 Chaco Culture National Historical Park tours on Tripadvisor. Games in the afternoon under a shade capopy. I was in ABQ for work a few years ago, and I had a Saturday to kill. The Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located in northwestern New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Farmington, and is home to the massive Pueblo Bonito ruins which are believed to have been . All paved 2 lane highway. Bring sunscreen. Every month of 2022 felt like a different life. It didnt take long for first rays of the morning sun to wash out the Big Dipper, as if it never existed. Hungo PaviThe ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. Casa Rinconada, a 19-meter diameter great kiva located within the canyon, has two opposing interior T-shaped doors placed along a north-south axis and two exterior doors aligned east-west, through which the light of the rising sun passes directly only on the morning of an equinox (whether this latter alignment existed during Chacoan times is Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The lightning and thunder were intense, but it did not seem to be moving in my direction. There is one campground in the park, near the visitors center, called the Gallo Campground. Built between 850 and 1150 A.D., it was the cultural center of the Chacoan world that covered a large area of the Southwest. You'll find a large multi-story structure you can explore inside and out as well as several kivas here. Chaco Canyon can only be visited by driving on dirt roads. One advantage to Chaco vs. Mesa Verde is that at Chaco you will have the opportunity to walk through all of the ruins, whereas in Mesa Verde, most of the ruins can only be viewed from above or below. It is advised that visitors call the Park prior to a visit to ensure roads are accessible during inclement weather. Guest houses are too far away - you'll spend all your time driving. Wings * #2. Chaco has kind of an electricity about it, all through the canyon. 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. From 850-1150 AD, Chaco Canyon becomes a major center of Ancestral Puebloan culture. Just northwest of Tucson and right off of I-10 is this gorgeous state park. Chiang Mai is where I normally spend my winters and where I just returned after a pandemic hiatus. For more location guides, sign up for my email list below! You can also get off I-40 at Milan then take highway 605 to 509 to 9. 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. (Kivas are partially underground structures used by Puebloans for religious ceremonies.) really cool archaeological site. The best way to explore the canyon is with a knowledgeable guide. An old-fashioned map is necessary. Approx. }); Pueblo Bonito is a stunning set of ancient ruins located at the remote Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. If you take the other road, drive to Grants, take 605 and 509 all the way to Pueblo Pintado and to Chaco. First ones at the gate. I am confused as to the most reasonable place to base ourselves in simple lodging for a couple of night/ one full day in Chaco Cyn. if(!a.test(this.href)) { A trip there is life-changing.Lets take a look at what its like to journey to this ancient, mysterious place. 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. Its 20.5 miles from the turn off to the park but itll take you a good hour possibly depending on road conditions. Pueblo Bonito is the most important, most celebrated, and most scrupulously investigated site in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. cmoiramagatos@gmail.com. The pristine environment is wonderful for exploring desert and scrubland flora and fauna. 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. The people who mention needing 4 wheel drive or high clearance did you specifically need that? Alternatively, you may use, Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock. One thing to consider aside from the heat is the humidity, or lack thereof. We stayed at Motel 6. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard Chaco Canyon National Park New Mexico USA North America at the best online prices at eBay! It was only a 21- mile detour off the main road. To say about the route Colin gave you on 371. 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. The best route is from the North via US 550. Chaco Canyon Sterling Silver Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Flower Cuff Blooming with glossy Sleeping Beauty turquoise and fresh-picked for your next outfit, this bracelet is a vibrant way to work bold and rustic florals into your everyday looks. Then, I realized the storm was headed straight for the nightmarish dirt road, the only northern exit from the park. Expect the last 21 miles into Chaco Canyon to take well over an hour, in ideal conditions. September and October are ideal for visiting the Chaco Canyon as the daytime temperatures are in the low 80s and high 20s, and you can see the weather is mostly stable. (LogOut/ Opt for bicycling around the sites if you want to cover more ground. If a Mustang could drive this road, then so could Betty! You should also dress accordingly. Without a literal translation, the word apparently has negative meanings that go beyond simply, Ancient Enemy.. 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. Chaco Canyon National Historic Park & Where to Stay In Your RV (505)327-1671 If you're a first time visitor to Chaco Canyon, you mightprefer a more touristy area, but if you're a solo traveler, a smaller hotel could be more interesting. *. This route is signed from US 550 to the park boundary (21 miles). Original Vigas at Pueblo BonitaOriginal wood is still found in some of the buildings at Pueblo Bonita. The irony in this is that this whole trip started with a desire to see Chaco Canyon. Learn from my misadventures: If youre traveling in theSouthwestern U.S., be sure to research all road conditions! 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 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. Are there guides we can book We have traveled in Mexico and are very intersted in exploring this amazing site. Bring water and food and make sure you have enough gas. Our savior was Wayne. 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. This is gravel area and pretty level. In its prime, the mysterious Chaco Canyonwhat is now Chaco Culture National Historical Parkwas a central gathering place for tens of thousands of Ancestral Puebloan peoples between 850 and 1250 A.D. "We don't know why advanced society chose to live [there]it's such a hard place to live," said G.B. We rarely went above 5-10 mph. Shutterstock Fajada Butte, Chaco Canyon, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico Quick Links Start with Chetro Ketl where you can continue to examine the Chacoan stonework up close. The pure excitement of being in this ancient place kept me awake. Thanks! You then return the same way. No We took 550 south from Farmington. Ranger programs can be found on the park calendar. Remember, you have to bring EVERYTHING you're going to need for the trip with you or make the drive back to Nageezi or Bloomfield at some point to resupply. Early Spanish explorers named the massive great house Pueblo Bonito because it resembled a 'pretty village.'. To get there, take I-40 west past Thoreau, head north on Route 371, then, just past Crownpoint, turn right (east) on IR (arrowhead looking sign) 9. Chaco Canyon Equinox & New Moon Overnight Glamping Expedition . 7. Free shipping for many products! After the Visitor Center, take a drive on the 9-mile one-way loop to get an overview of the most accessible archaeological sites. The best route is from the North via US 550. The thunder and lightning appeared to heading off to the North, which was a relief for my photos. 13.Tse Bitai (Shiprock) New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. Tombstone is touted as the most authentic western town left in Arizona and is the state's pride. Still, we have the need to catalog and characterize, so we used the name Anasazi until recently. When visiting, it is possible to take either a professionally guided or a self-guided tour. For heavy vehicles, it's do-able with reduced tire pressure. The next 4+ miles of road into Chaco has the worst washboards I have ever seen. The ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. Easy terrain, but no shade. Ranger programs can be found on the park calendar. 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. Chaco Canyon Campitos Turquoise Squash Blossom Flower Earrings A modern take on the traditional squash blossom design. VISIT CHACO CANYON IN NEW MEXICO Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and certified International Dark Sky Park, is considered one of the most important cultural and historical areas in the world. 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. Well be driving to/from Sedona. More cars appeared in my rearview mirror trying to beat the storm. The pavement turned into gravel. The "Chaco Culture," as modern-day archaeologists call it, flourished between roughly the 9 th and 13 th centuries A.D. and was centered at Chaco Canyon in what is now New Mexico. At times the road is heavily rutted. Located near a small cave ruin, there are no shaded areas, so come prepared. 8 days from $5,295. There is a maximum of 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 cars per campsite. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Chaco Canyon: Archaeology and Archaeologists Lister, Robert PB 1987 New Mexico at the best online prices at eBay! Is this too much time? Free shipping for many products! The park offers camping facilities at the Gallo Campground, with 48 individual campsites. Should we just go straight to MV? Chaco Canyon definitely is one of the best places to visit but it takes a lot of time. WARNING: