Chaco Culture National Historical Park ⓘ

For all the wild beauty of Chaco Canyon's high-desert landscape, its long winters, short growing seasons, and marginal rainfall create an unlikely place for a major center of ancestral Puebloan culture to take root and flourish. Yet this valley was the center of a thriving culture a thousand years ago. The monumental scale of its architecture, the complexity of its community life, the high level of its community social organization, and its far-reaching commerce created a cultural vision unlike any other seen before or since.

The cultural flowering of the Chacoan people began in the mid 800s and lasted more than 300 years. We can see it clearly in the grand scale of the architecture. Using masonry techniques unique for their time, they constructed massive stone buildings (Great Houses) of multiple stories containing hundreds of rooms much larger than any they had previously built. The buildings were planned from the start, in contrast to the usual practiced of adding rooms to existing structures as needed. Constructions on some of these buildings spanned decades and even centuries. Although each is unique, all great houses share architectural features that make them recognizable as Chacoan.

During the middle and late 800s, the great houses of Pueblo Bonito, Una Vida, and Peñasco Blanco were constructed, followed by Hungo Pavi, Chetro Ketl, Pueblo Alto, and others. These structures were often oriented to solar, lunar, and cardinal directions. Lines of sight between the great houses allowed communication. Sophisticated astronomical markers, communication features, water control devices, and formal earthen mounds surrounded them. The buildings were placed within a landscape surrounded by sacred mountains, mesas, and shrines that still have deep spiritual meaning for their descendants.

By 1050, Chaco had become the ceremonial, administrative, and economic center of the San Juan Basin. Its sphere of influence was extensive. Dozens of great houses in Chaco Canyon were connected by roads to more than 150 great houses throughout the region. It is thought that the great houses were not traditional farming villages occupied by large populations. They may instead have been impressive examples of "public architecture" that were used periodically during times of ceremony, commerce, and trading when temporary populations came to the canyon for these events.

What was at the heart of this great social experiment? Pueblo descendants say that Chaco was a special gathering place where many peoples and clans converged to share their ceremonies, traditions, and knowledge. Chaco is central to the origins of several Navajo clans and ceremonies. Chaco is also an enduring enigma for researchers. Was Chaco the hub of a turquoise-trading network established to acquire macaws, copper bells, shells, and other commodities from distant lands? Did Chaco distribute food and resources to growing populations when the climate failed them? Was Chaco "the center place," binding a region together by a shared vision? We may never fully understand Chaco.

In the 1100s and 1200s, change came to Chaco as new construction slowed and Chaco's role as a regional center shifted. Chaco's influence continued at Aztec, Mesa Verde, the Chuska Mountains, and other centers to the north, south, and west. In time, the people shifted away from Chacoan ways, migrated to new areas, reorganized their world, and eventually interacted with foreign cultures. Their descendants are the modern Southwest Indians. Many Southwest Indian people look upon Chaco as an important stop along their clans' sacred migration paths-a spiritual place to be honored and respected.

Trees are living archives of information. Scientists around the world use tree rings to understand past climates, ecosystems, and cultures.

In addition to its spectacular archaeological resources, the park is naturally significant as one of the few protected areas in the San Juan Basin. It is an island of biodiversity, home to plants and wildlife that have been significantly affected by grazing, mineral extraction, and other land-use activities in the surrounding area.

The fauna found here includes elk, deer, bobcats, rabbits, badgers, porcupines, bats, snakes, lizards and other amphibians, and diverse bird populations. A number of ecosystems comprise the canyon vegetation, including pinyon-juniper woodlands, riparian with cottonwood and willow, and other numerous scrub and wildflower communities.

Scientific research in the park is ongoing and often overlaps projects concerning the cultural resources. Studies are as varied as fossil inventories, native plant surveys, annual bird counts, and rock monitoring.

Gallo Campground NPS photo Please note : In July 2023, a major rockfall occurred near the cliff dwelling, temporarily closing 8 sites and a nearby trail due to high risk of additional rockfall. Based on an Investigation Report conducted by the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Geologic Resource Division, it has been decided 5 of those 8 sites will remain permanently closed: 20, 21, 23, 24, and 25. The trail to the cliff dwelling will also remain permanently closed. Rock fall is unpredictable, and to allow visitors to camp in those sites could be putting them at risk for severe injury or death. NPS leadership was unwilling to take that risk.

Individual sites are $20/night. Senior and Access passes offer a discount for camping. Group sites are a flat rate of $60/night. Visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Open Open all year. Closed 6 nights: the night before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, December 24th, December 25th, December 31st and January 1st. Details Gallo Campground, located one mile (1.6 km) east of the visitor center, is open year-round. Tucked among the fallen boulders and cliffs of Gallo Wash, the campground offers camping in a rugged environment, surrounded by petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, inscriptions, and a high desert landscape. There is no shade. The campsites are available by reservation. Reservations will be open on recreation.gov three months prior to the date. Camping is limited to 30 days in a calendar year, and 14 consecutive days at a time. Group campsites may be reserved for no longer than 7 consecutive days at a time. As a reminder, if you are not here by the second day of your reservation, you do forfeit the remainder of your reservation and the campsite will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis for the rest of the reservation. For more details on camping regulations within the park, see the Superintendent's Compendium .

Each site has a picnic table and fire grate (with a grill). Bring your own firewood or charcoal. Gathering wood is prohibited and no firewood is available for sale in the park. Most sites include a tent pad. Pets are permitted, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Do not approach or feed the wildlife. The campground has water and restrooms with flush toilets, but no showers or hook-ups. Site #11 and both restrooms are handicap accessible. There is no gasoline, auto repair, food, or ice available in the park. To make the most of your visit, please plan ahead and come prepared. If you have additional questions, please call the visitor center at 505-786-7014. Tent Camping Most sites are open to RVs or tents. Car camping is allowed. There is a limit of six people, two tents, and two vehicles at each campsite. No tent camping is allowed in the "RV only" sites. RVs Please keep in mind the following information: - Trailers and RVs over 35 feet in length cannot be accommodated. - There are no hook-ups. - A dump station is located in the campground. - Generators may be operated between the hours of 8:00 am - 10:00 am, 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm, and 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm daily. - Sites 12-16 are for RV camping only. - No tent camping is allowed in the RV sites. You may be asked to leave if you do not have an RV in the "RV only" sites. Alternative Camping Occasionally, the 26 regular sites and 2 group sites in Gallo Campground fill up. Usually, this occurs on Friday and Saturday afternoons, holiday weekends, and on other unpredicted days when many visitors and groups happen to converge. Alternate camping options can be found here . Gallo Campground Group Sites: Two group campsites are available, each accommodating 10 to 30 people and no more than 5 vehicles. Group stays are limited to seven (7) days at a time. Group campground reservations must be made in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The cost for group camping is $60.00 per night. The group campsites are designed for tent camping and cannot accommodate RVs, pop-up trailers, etc. Picnic tables and a fire ring (with a grill) are provided at each site.

Please note : In July 2023, a major rockfall occurred near the cliff dwelling, temporarily closing 8 sites and a nearby trail due to high risk of additional rockfall. Based on an Investigation Report conducted by the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Geologic Resource Division, it has been decided 5 of those 8 sites will remain permanently closed: 20, 21, 23, 24, and 25. The trail to the cliff dwelling will also remain permanently closed. Rock fall is unpredictable, and to allow visitors to camp in those sites could be putting them at risk for severe injury or death. NPS leadership was unwilling to take that risk. The Gallo Campground within Chaco Culture has 26 individual sites and 2 group sites. We recommend making a reservation on www.recreation.gov to ensure a camping or RV space on the dates you plan to visit. All unreserved campsites will become available on a first-come, first-served basis; please inquire for availability at the visitor center when you arrive. The group campsites are available for reservations. The group leader must check-in at the visitor center before setting up camp. Guided tours and evening programs will be offered depending on staff availability. Individual sites are $20/night. Senior and Access passes offer a discount for camping. Group sites are a flat rate of $60/night. Visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.

Gallo Campground, located one mile (1.6 km) east of the visitor center, is open year-round. Tucked among the fallen boulders and cliffs of Gallo Wash, the campground offers camping in a rugged environment, surrounded by petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, inscriptions, and a high desert landscape. There is no shade. The campsites are available by reservation. Reservations will be open on recreation.gov three months prior to the date. Camping is limited to 30 days in a calendar year, and 14 consecutive days at a time. Group campsites may be reserved for no longer than 7 consecutive days at a time. As a reminder, if you are not here by the second day of your reservation, you do forfeit the remainder of your reservation and the campsite will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis for the rest of the reservation. For more details on camping regulations within the park, see the Superintendent's Compendium . Each campsite costs $20.00 per night. Interagency Senior and Access pass holders pay $10.00 per site, per night. There is a limit of six people, two tents, and two vehicles at each campsite. Check-out time is 11:00 am. Each site has a picnic table and fire grate (with a grill). Bring your own firewood or charcoal. Gathering wood is prohibited and no firewood is available for sale in the park. Most sites include a tent pad. Pets are permitted, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Do not approach or feed the wildlife. The campground has water and restrooms with flush toilets, but no showers or hook-ups. Site #11 and both restrooms are handicap accessible. There is no gasoline, auto repair, food, or ice available in the park. To make the most of your visit, please plan ahead and come prepared. If you have additional questions, please call the visitor center at 505-786-7014.

Make your first stop the visitor center. From there, a 9-mile (14.5 km) loop road accesses five major Chacoan sites, including Pueblo Bonito. Guidebooks for these sites can be purchased at the park store inside the visitor center. Pets are not permitted on these front country trails. Service animals are the only exception.

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). Pets are permitted on backcountry trails as long as they are on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Pet owners must clean up after their animals.

There are four backcountry hiking trails in Chaco Culture National Historical Park: Wijiji Trail , South Mesa Trail , Pueblo Alto Trail , and Peñasco Blanco Trail . Wijiji Trail is the shortest at 3.8 miles (6.1 km) round-trip. The South Mesa Trail is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) - this loop leaves from the Casa Rinconada parking area. The Pueblo Alto Trail is a 5.5 mile (8.9 km) loop - this is the most popular hiking trail due to the mesa-top aerial view of Pueblo Bonito. The Peñasco Blanco Trail is the longest backcountry hike at 7.5 miles (12 km) round-trip. Please talk to a park ranger at the visitor center for more information about each of these hikes. Whichever trail you choose to take, it will provide you with a rare opportunity to experience the sweeping vistas of the mesa landscape and see the impressive Chacoan great houses and roads, as well as help you understand the scope and extent of the Chacoan world.

Backcountry hiking trails require each group to sign in; these sign-in sheets are available at each trailhead. Trails are open during standard park hours ; please leave enough time to complete your hike before the loop road closes each night.

A comprehensive trail guide booklet to all of these trails is available for $3.00 at the WNP Bookstore in the visitor center.