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What is the closest town to Chaco Canyon? After you watch the video below, click on this link for Chaco Canyon Camping if you will be travelling in an RV. It's a 1.5 hr / 90 mile drive north. 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. The closest lodging options from the south, along Route 66 are in Gallup and Grants, approximately 90 miles away. We drove first to Aztec Ruins and then to Chaco. 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. In addition to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, the World Heritage property includes Aztec Ruins National Monument and several smaller Chaco sites. An unexcavated site, Hungo Pavi is the first stop past the visitor center. Here are some of the most recommended hotels near Chaco Canyon. Just behind Kin Kletso is the start of the Pueblo Bonito Lookout trail. Chaco Canyon is located inside Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Chaco Canyon is a wonderful place to visit; it will undoubtedly become one of your favorite vacation memories and will inspire you, like it has us, to learn as much as you can about the people and communities that shaped our planet long before our time. Would love to stay longer but could not imagine driving it again when we were to leave. Despite its location in New Mexicos remote high desert, Chaco Canyon National Historical Park was once the site of a thriving culture. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Please use our directions below to avoid getting lost or stuck. Bloomfield, Aztec and Farmington, New Mexico, are the closest towns to Chaco Canyon National Historical Park's main north road. Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Tripadvisor The Road to Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Though the dark skies might be your reason to camp in Chaco, camping is the only lodging available in the park. The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. Generators are allowed between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, but only for one hour at a time. The accommodations indicated with the icononly allow same-day reservations within strict time limits. s.async = true; As an important note, there are no public transportation options available; your journey to Chaco Canyon can only be taken by car. Rio Rancho, New Mexico 0 Votes Bloomfield, NM has a very nice Best Western and it is closer than Farmington. You can do this by visiting the reservation website. 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. Most of it is good, though youll have to pass cattle guards and some rough parts. But, Everything you need to know about rising girl, Angel Number 222: Creativity, intuition and, Barbie releases Anna May Wong doll for AAPI Month, Students who wore 'Let's Go Brandon' shirts to, 'The only,' 'too' something or 'not enough. Below are the best places to stay near Chaco Canyon. There isnt much of anywhere to stop and pick up things on your way there. Where Did Chaco Canyon's Timber Come From? There are two backcountry options: biking to Wijiji Trail or Casa Chiquita . Original Vigas at Pueblo BonitaOriginal wood is still found in some of the buildings at Pueblo Bonita. Into the park is unpaved and pretty rough. Read Also: Mule Rides Grand Canyon South Rim. Stunning views, unique accommodations, and an amazing experience? And due to COVID restrictions, you need to reserve the campground beforehand (not on the same day). The trail is easy, though it has a few rocky areas and it might get slippery when wet (an extremely rare occurrence at Chaco). If you are planning a visit to the amazing Pueblo ruins at Chaco Canyon and your searching for Chaco Canyon Camping because you are traveling in an RV, then Id like to share something with you about the area so you can make the most of your trip. 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. Besides watching the sky on your own, the park features a small observatory near the visitor center. The limited facilities includetoilets, picnic table, and fire grates. Your first stop should be the visitor center, where you can pick up a brochure and learn as much as possible about the park. Our latest posts and travel tips sent to your inbox once a month! When we were there last, the road was in pretty good shape. 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. Chaco Culture National Historical Park really is the place to be. Its a four lane freeway running diagonally through the state between Albuquerque and Farmington. To get a good feel for Chaco takes about 3 days 2 nights. 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. If you are short on time, this is the place to spend it. Still, we have the need to catalog and characterize, so we used the name Anasazi until recently. 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). It's, How hard police look for missing children depends, Is that Twitter account real? The nearest gas station to the south is located in Crownpoint (39 miles south of the park off HWY 371). 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. There is a limit of six people, two tents, and two vehicles at each campsite. Each is about an hour and a half from the parks entrance. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chaco Canyon is a remarkable place. Hotel Chaco would be an ideal stop on a tour of the actual ancestral Puebloan sites. 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. The focal point for most visitors of Chaco Canyon is Pueblo Bonito, the largest prehistoric Southwest Native American dwelling ever excavated. Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Wikipedia 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). There is no public transportation to the park, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. From cliff-sited dwellings and small pit houses to massive grand houses, the Anasazi lived in a wide variety of structures. The one-mile round-trip walk includes views of petroglyphs. Q: Where is the nearest gas station/food/lodging? Pueblo BonitoRuins of Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Canyon. The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. 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. Chaco Canyon is listed as an International dark sky Park with the IDA Dark Sky Association. However, most cars can make it in good weather; just dont drive your brand-new low-clearance luxury car out there. If you adore the great outdoors, getting a place to stay near Chaco Culture National Historical Park is the answer. 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. Between 850 and 1250 A.D., Chaco Canyon functioned as a ceremonial center whose influence was felt for hundreds of miles. Another example of a large great house is Hungo Pavi, which is a bit isolated from many structures at Chaco Canyon. Chaco Canyon's largest pueblo, Pueblo Bonito, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Red Rocks - Southwest trip, 2012 - California State University, Northridge Vehicle Entrance Fee: $25.00 for 7 days This permit allows all persons traveling in one private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to enter the park to visit for up to 7 days from the date of purchase. You dont need a four-wheel drive to get through it, but a high-clearance vehicle is helpful. 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. 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. Chaco Canyon - Michael Ruark Top speed never exceeded 5-15mph for fear of destroying our 44 Pickup. The most recommended access point is from Highway 550, from CR 7900. The remote location of Chaco Canyon adds to the beauty and adventure of visiting this National Park. Cuba (69 miles, an hour and a half) Address: 1808 CR 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037 Rates shown below are averages. Chaco Culture National Park Lodging | USA Today 1 as the second, What to know about the Kentucky Derby draw, McCarthy replies to Russian reporter on Ukraine, Biden to end COVID vaccination requirement for, Biden seeks talks with McCarthy amid warning of, Speaker McCarthy defends Ukraine aid to Russian, First Republic Bank seized, sold to JPMorgan, Subaru recalls 4,000 vehicles because of safety, Akorn to shut down, recalls human, animal drugs. Hungo Pavi,The Great House of Hungo Pavi was tucked up next to the rocks. The absolute silence is very satisfying. The park is home to many prehistoric, multistory buildings called great houses. By the mid-1100s Chaco Canyon began to experience a decline from which it never recovered. Each site has an adjacent parking lot and an available guide - you can either . Though not fully excavated, the site is worth the walk for the views and an introduction to the ruins. These pueblos were often built to reflect the movements of the sun or moon, and contained large ceremonial structures called kivas. Chaco Culture National Historical Park Hotels and Lodges - Expedia From the south, two routes access Chaco from Highway 9, which runs between Crownpoint, Pueblo Pintado, and Cuba. Originally the home of the Anasazi, the community who lived in the region were mostly nomadic and were called the Basketmakers because they crafted baskets to preserve the food they gathered. Chaco comprises individual great houses, some of the best-preserved and most complex prehistoric structures in North America. One way to explore Chaco Culture National Historical Park is to bike. One option for cycling is the paved one-way Canyon Loop Road . The only structure standing in this area is a long wall the trail follows. While you would be right that nothing else can even come close, the Casa Rinconada trail leads to the largest kiva at the site. With 160 rooms it is not one of the largest structures constructed by the Anasazi, but it does provide good insight into living conditions for those who called it home. There are multiple ways to get to Chaco National Park. Call the park (505-786-7014) for current road conditions. It was first used back in the mid-nineteenth century by Navajo workers who were hired to go out and collect pot shards and other artifacts lying about ancient ruins. You may find a bit more selection a little farther in Farmington . Bloomfield (61 miles, an hour and a half), Farmington (74 miles, an hour and a half). 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. Find out everything you need to know for your visit! The Anasazi who lived in Chaco Canyon are now referred to as Chacoans. Groups can experience the grandeur of Chaco Culture National Historical Park with an expanded schedule of guided day trips offered through Albuquerques Hotel 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. Here's our Top for Fun list from our days camping in Chaco Canyon. From the visitor center, take the short trail to Una Vida, a set of smaller ruins on top of the hill. Chaco Canyon has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park and we have information on experiencing a presentation highlighting this distinction. From the south of the park: From I-40, take highway 371from Thoreau to highway 9 before turning on CR57. 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. Read Also: Places To Stay At Grand Canyon. Helping you travel longer for less since 2016! The quarter-mile round-trip trail through the site is gravel but climbs a few steep rises. There is limited cell service inside the Visitor Center. Most of the land in NM is owned by the government which means most of it is devoid of development. 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. 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. ', Drinking apple cider vinegar can be good for you, Can apple cider vinegar help with weight loss? (function(d, sc, u) { The park is located in northwestern New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Farmington, in a remote canyon cut by the Chaco Wash. Your first stop should be the visitor center, where you can pick up a brochure and learn as much as possible about the park. We hit one low spot where the road was flooded on our visit. The park has no restaurant or grocery store, so make sure you have enough food and water. 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. Customized day or overnight trips are available on other dates. Bloomfield (61 miles, an hour and a half) Aztec (69 miles, an hour and a half) Farmington (74 miles, an hour and a half) From the east: Cuba (69 miles, an hour and a half) Cuba Visitor Center phone number is 575-289-3808. Besides, when you camp here, youll have your own ruins at the campground, in an alcove. 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 reason is somewhat complicated, but easy enough to understand. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); From 550 turn onto CR 7900, . Please note that . 1 What is the closest town to Chaco Canyon? Please use our directions below to avoid getting lost or stuck. 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. 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. This route is clearly signed from US 550 to the park boundary . 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. Chaco Canyon is the center of the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway. From Flagstaff, AZ, take I-40 EAST then Highway 191 NORTH. Each is about an hour and a half from the park's entrance. You could also try Airbnb, whichlists around 18 rentals from $20-130. The only ones available at the park are at the visitor center. There are all sorts of trails once you get into the Chaco Canyon site. We spent more than half a day exploring, and we agreed it was one of the best days we spent during that vacationand one of the most unexpectedly fun destinations we have visited. 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. Also Check: Best Western Palo Duro Canyon. We stayed in Santa Fe the night before visiting Chaco Canyon and Farmington the night afterward. 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 It is located in the region known as the Four Corners, where the states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. While you would be right that nothing else can even come close, the Casa Rinconada trail leads to the largest kiva at the site. An Insider's Guide to the Four Corners If its your first time here, consider joining a guided tour, offered from May to October. And of course, you never know which one it will be until you get there. If you are planning to visit Chaco Culture National Historic Park, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your visit. Horrible. Dont miss the Museum of Chaco Culture, where you can see artifacts from the site and learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who built it. In terms of historical significance and uniqueness, Chaco is oftentimes compared to the ancient city of Rome, Egypts pyramids, or Stonehenge. Over the years, we learned a few things that make our visits easier and more enjoyable. Plan to spend at least 45 minutes here. Though not fully excavated, the site is worth the walk for the views and an introduction to the ruins. Built between 850 and 1150 A.D., it was the cultural center of the Chacoan world that covered a large area of the Southwest. Another concern are sudden storms so keep up-to-date with weather forecasts. It turns out that there are people in the southwest that consider themselves ancestors of the Ancient ones, and they arent fond of the term Anasazi, because of its negative connotations in the Navajo language, and perhaps also because its a Navajo word and the Navajo arent regarded as descendant from these ancient people. Your next stop is Chetro Ketl, 4.5 miles from the visitor center. Check the parks website for the latest opening hours. Below are links to the accommodations listed by the Tourism Department or Chamber or Commerce in nearby cities. Of course, the point of visiting Chaco Canyon is to view the ruins. We found our stop at the visitors center to be a nice way to ground our experience and ensure we made the most of the time we had there. The 4 1/2 miles before entering the park are very rough. Get yourself a cabin now and forget about the conventional Chaco Canyon, New Mexico hotels! Each Chacoan great house ruin has unique characteristics with Pueblo Bonito as the highlight in the middle of them all. Youre welcome to do a Google search and call them, but I really think you should just drive to Albuquerque. There are no more accommodations that exactly fit your criteria. Use Search above to see rates for your dates. Please note that you will have to drive at least 10 miles of gravel road from either direction to reach the visitor center. Follow the cairns back towards Pueblo Bonito until you reach the lookout. As a result, Chacoans had the ability to anticipate the movements of planets, stars, the moon, and the sun. 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. Apr 2022. It is a massive D-shaped structure that had somewhere between 600 and 800 rooms. In fact, many people think that the park would be one of the nations most popular if it wasnt so hard to reach. The best part is the path winds through the site and offers various vantage points. Chaco Culture National Historical Park Entrance Fee, Things to Do in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Where are the best overlooks in Chaco Canyon? At about 15 miles you hit the end of the county maintained gravel road. You will see incredible engineering techniques and intentional, detailed masonry. Hungo PaviThe ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. Mystical. Learn how your comment data is processed. We are OK with B & B, a motel, a guest house etc. One of our favorite pass times when traveling in the American southwest is visiting the various cliff dwelling houses. From Albuquerque, NM: Travel north 82 miles on US-550 until you reach Cuba, NM (nice little town with a GREAT Mexican food restaurant). By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I havent yet made it to Chaco Canyon, but I have been looking into it. In fact, the ruins in Chaco Canyon are some of the least visited sites showcased in national parks. There is one camp ground in Chaco Culture National Historic Park called Gallo Campground. There are a total of 48 Gallo campsites, 14 of which are exclusive to tents. The Chaco Canyon area was first inhabited in the middle of the ninth century and reached its peak importance about 200 years later, by which time the population reached 4,000 and over a hundred satellite villages had been constructed across north New Mexico. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? (20 miles of dirt). 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. 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. We usually get their early on the first day and tour the loop buildings all day, go back to the campground and build a nice relaxing fire to sit near and wait for the chile con carne to warm up. Does it cost anything to enter Chaco Canyon? The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. A detailed photography guide for shooting Chaco Canyon | Photographers