best time to visit chaco canyon

Last time I drove from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There is no shade. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Fajada Butte Overlook - the place of the famous "sun dagger" Hungo Pavi - An unexcavated Chacocan Great House. The age of curiosity is time to visit Chaco Canyon. We were in this adventure together. If and when they regrade the road it may be different. How to get there: There are two roads to Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The Chaco Culture National Historical Park (NHP) is the perfect getaway to explore the distinctive architecture, ruins, and ancient roads of this significant center of Puebloan culture. It would be a nice appetizer for the next day at Mesa Verde. Be prepared to do some walking! Chetro KetlChetro Ketl, a Chacoan great house at Chaco Canyon. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The horizon was empty except for the occasional abandoned house. Still, we have the need to catalog and characterize, so we used the name Anasazi until recently. Follow this road for 21 miles into the park. I grew up literally 2 blocks from theend of the pavement, so I am familiar with dirt roads, and I am not exaggerating. 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. Chiang Mai is where I normally spend my winters and where I just returned after a pandemic hiatus. 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). Four backcountry hiking trails access more remote sites and features. The first settlements at Chaco were not the grand casas that you see today, but the modest pit-houses dug into the earth around 200 AD. Have fun!!! The people who mention needing 4 wheel drive or high clearance did you specifically need that? 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. Sometimes, the most amazing places are the hardest to reach. The Big Dipper, the Milky Way, and all the famous constellations made an appearance in the blue-black sky that night. Although there are some hikes available, all the main attractions are within a short distance from the 9 mile Canyon Loop Drive. Beware that you have to drive on dirt roads to get to the site. Make sure you take time to admire the excellent stone craftsmanship. Learn how your comment data is processed. A visit to the Homestead Crater in Heber Valley, Utah, makes for a fantastic experience. Tours . Did you come from the north from Nageezi as suggested? 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. Chaco has kind of an electricity about it, all through the canyon. Admission is $25 per vehicle, but we strongly suggest buying the America the Beautiful National Park annual pass for $80. Imagine this light show in the enclosed Kiva, it would have been even more dramatic. Chaco experiences exceptionally climate extremes. Cornucopia, a 30-year guide at Chaco Canyon. 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: Chaco Canyon holds one of the largest collection of prehistoric buildings on the continent. Dogs are not allowed on any of the trails. This dry campsite appeals to both tent campers and RV campers alike, given they can traverse the long, unmaintained dirt road leading into the park. I was planning a full day to get to MV. Trust me on this one. Bento theme by Satori, Salisbury Cathedral in Southwestern England. Those with a passenger car or a light SUV with softer suspension will have a much easier time. Thanks. I slowed to about 5 mph in 1st gear to try to minimize the shaking. Sign up for new posts from my adventures along with travel advice & tips! The Four Corners region (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah) is dotted with thousands of archaeological sites. A short drive away is the trail to Pueblo Bonito Lookout with Kin Kletso at the base of the ascent. Preferably something small like a VW Westphalia or small class B RV. I think the original poster means Mesa Verde when he/she typed MV, not Monument Valley. Hitting the smooth black asphalt at the entrance to the park after 21 miles of rough road is extremely satisfying. We recommend booking Chaco Culture National Historical Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. 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. That never happens. There are a couple of downsides to camping, especially car camping. Wear study shoes for hiking; no sandals or open toed shoes! Even as an 11-year-old at Yosemite, I knew immediately I was somewhere awe-inspiring, and I still get that feeling to this day every time I visit Chaco Canyon. The course includes 8 miles of paved road and 13 miles of rough dirt road. I would recommend getting the booklets so you can read about the structures you are seing in each part of the property. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. For that reason, experts in the field have started using the term Ancient Pueblo Peoples out of courtesy to the present day Puebloans, and, quite truthfully, because we have no idea what they originally called themselves. Being completely different cultures in different periods in different parts of the word, I wouldn't expect too many similarities. Another concern is what is actually AT Chaco? Bisti Wilderness Adventure $130 BOOK NOW. To say about the route Colin gave you on 371. Without a literal translation, the word apparently has negative meanings that go beyond simply, Ancient Enemy.. Does anyone have a recommendation for an RV rental for going to Chaco? The first six miles are paved, and the last fifteen are unpaved. The park is home to more, The Taos Pueblo World Heritage Site is an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to New Mexico. Your email address will not be published. After the Visitor Center, take a drive on the 9-mile one-way loop to get an overview of the most accessible archaeological sites. They are about 1.5 hours away from Chaco. My first thought: Am I driving into the beginning of a horror movie? The weather is best in the spring and fall (Sept. - Oct.). Chaco Canyon definitely is one of the best places to visit but it takes a lot of time. . The park entrance FINALLY came into view. We would have needed at least two days to explore the riches of this place but only had a half-day. Save CC for a trip when you have plenty of time to enjoy it as a main attraction. 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. var a = new RegExp('/' + window.location.host + '/'); We stayed at Motel 6. Baby Travel Gear Must-Haves: Best Travel Car Seats for 2023 [Show] Chaco Canyon is very dry. Is this too much time? (Betty is my Kia Spectra and faithful travel companion.) I boiled some water, sipped some Navajo tea (greenthread), and watched the big dipper cross the windshield. That one full day was enough to have a very full experience of Chaco, including two ranger-led programs and visits to three of the great houses. You may notice that we keep calling the folks who lived here the Ancient Pueblo Peoples, and not Anasazi as they have been called in the past. window.open(this.href, '_blank'); We bought the self-guided booklets from the visitor center for the main sites here. Nature lovers will enjoy a visit to Canyon De Chelly, Red Rock State . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Mud puddles on dirt road in Monsoon season, During monsoon season (July-August), call the park on your travel day to make sure there are not any mud puddles on the dirt road! Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Culture National Historical ParkPueblo Bonito a Chacoan Great House at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. 50 % of order total. When we were there last, the road was in pretty good shape. Pueblo Bonito is the most visited site at Chaco Canyon; the biggest complex at the site. Extremely interesting, but will NEVER make the drive again. Located near a small cave ruin, there are no shaded areas, so come prepared. What was it like a thousand years ago to watch these same constellations trace a path across the night sky? The site looks ncludes a 9 mile drive with several stops to get out and see the remains of settlements from 1200AD and earlier. Check the Guided Tours page, the schedule at the Visitor Center or call 505-786-7014 for more information. The communal stone buildings were built between the mid-800s and 1100 AD by Ancient Pueblo Peoples (Anasazi) whose descendants are modern Southwest Indians. Every month of 2022 felt like a different life. Get off the cliffs and out of open spaces if you hear thunder or see lightning. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Testimonials "We took the Crow Canyon tour and it was a wonderful experience, educational and deeply moving. I saw that Belinda took the roads with a small RV. For more location guides, sign up for my email list below! Water (but not food) is available at the Visitors Center. The largest and most impressive Chacoan great house is Pueblo Bonito. And of course, you never know which one it will be until you get there. Its all herefrom savory Chickpea Soup to sweet Pion Nut Cake dripping with honey. 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. A storm started moving in as I was heading to the next set of ruins, Pueblo del Arroyo. 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. It was a blur of places across four continentsboth new and oldand reunions with old friends. Visiting Chaco Canyon Directions: See Directions and a Breakdown of Road Conditions below - this includes directions from all points. Go to the visitor center first, buy at least 3 guide books, and watch the film. 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. 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. The ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. The ruins sites are going to be the best you'll come across. Ill never forget seeing the Milky Way with my naked eye. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. BTW october was a great month for visiting NM. 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. 11.Chaco Culture National Historic Park. It might be that they didnt call themselves anything since evidence suggests that they were made up of many different cultures. All other roads are closed or impassable. Park Website. Even the paved roads were still a bit rough, but I made it to Page, Arizona with 20 minutes to spare. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13251929', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Albuquerque for Balloon Fiesta, and then we're driving to Mesa Verde (staying at Far View Lodge for 2 nights). As it is right on the way, make a stop at Aztec Ruins National Monument. Dont climb on anything. New Mexico's premier travel company, Heritage Inspirations, provides year-round, all-inclusive authentically-curated guided tours. Robert Alexander / Archive Photos / Getty Images Currently in The Southwest with a wonderful husband, a rescue dog named Gaia. There are thirteen miles of dirt roads to drive before getting to Chaco Canyon, and the last four miles are considered by the park service to be very rough. The noise didnt die down until after 10pm. Covering more than 160 southwestern plant medicines, within 102 profiles, Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest describes each plants medicinal use, therapeutic indication, geographic range, botanical characteristics, chemical composition, preparation, dosage, and cautions. If you like history and can endure bumpy roads, this is for you. Required fields are marked *. November through February is on a first come, first served basis. So I was looking at the tourism info online, saw all the cool stuff to see around ABQ (if you have more than 1 day) and decided to go back. Firewood and food need to be brought into the campground. Chaco Canyon National Historical Park is one of those extraordinary gems and an excellent example of ArchaeoAstronomy. What Are The Best Places to . Bring sunscreen. The gravel section isn't too bad but very dusty when it's dry. Chaco Canyon is located inside Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Farmington and Bloomfield are the closest towns with motels. Sign up for my adventure updates, tips, location guides & expert interviews! cmoiramagatos@gmail.com. Built between 850 and 1150 A.D., it was the cultural center of the Chacoan world that covered a large area of the Southwest. 2-5/16"L x 15/16"W. Stamped .925 sterling silver; oxidized finish. Should we shorten it??? Turn left on county road 7900, follow this road for 5 miles. Pet owners must clean up after their animals. We were in a regular car, 4 miles from the entrance, with no cell phone reception and decided not to chance getting stuck. 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. This could be an entirely separate blog post. 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. Hawk's Nest #6. And BTW, that Sinclair is the neatest, cleanest miniart you will find! } When itdries, it's as hard as rock and all the ruts and washboards remain until the next rain. It was only a 21- mile detour off the main road. Janelle Ortega and Chuck Bender are drawn deep into a threatening web of hostility and deceit in Saguaro National Park in this page-turner of a mystery. Gallo Campground, Chaco Canyon is one of my absolute favorite places to camp in New Mexico. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. We love to hike, hunt for crystals and minerals, and visit historic sites and ruins scattered throughout the southwest. 2023|An affiliate website brought to you by. The segment just past the ford is by far the worst. Fees/Camping: $16 per vehicle for 7-day pass; camping is $15 per site and must be reserved in advance. To most of us, this simply means that its got really, really dark skies. 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. There are around 37 hotel/motelsranging in price from around $35-115. }); Pueblo Bonito is a stunning set of ancient ruins located at the remote Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. I remember that dirt road to and fro 550 which already took 1.5 hours. The night skies mark for ideal stargazing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Covering 76,679 acres, Arches National Park in eastern Utah is located alongside the Colorado River.