Explore the monumental structures and breathtaking landscape at Chaco, a thriving regional center for the ancestral Pueblo people from 850 to 1250 CE (Common Era), through hiking & biking trails, ranger-guided tours & programs, and more. Chaco Canyon is a sacred and deeply personal place for many Indigenous peoples throughout the Southwest. Please visit with respect.

Make your first stop the Visitor Center. From there, a 9-mile loop road accesses five major Chacoan sites, including Pueblo Bonito. You can buy guidebooks for these sites at the park store inside the visitor center. Pets are not allowed on these front-country trails.

HIKING

Chaco Culture National Historical Park has four backcountry hiking trails: 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; it is the most popular hiking trail because of 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.

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.

BICYCLING AT CHACO

Bicycling is a great way to visit many Chacoan sites and experience the canyon, its wildlife, its solitude, and its ever-changing environment. Inquire at the visitor center for biking options.

CANYON LOOP DRIVE
Bicycling the 9-mile paved Canyon Loop Drive is an excellent way to begin. The road is nearly level, and open from 7:00am-5:00pm (Nov-Feb), 7:00am - 7:00pm (Mar-Apr) and 7:00am - 9:00pm (May-Oct). NOTE: Front gate closes daily 30 minutes before closing time.)

Please remember that the road is one way. Be alert for traffic. Please stay on the road and/or designated trails.

CAMPING
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.

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 per 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.

All unreserved campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; please inquire about availability at the visitor center when you arrive. Group campsites are available with 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 camping discount. Group sites are a flat rate of $60/night. Visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.

OPEN YEAR-ROUND

The park and visitor center are open all year. The park, trails, and loop road are closed on Thanksgiving, December 25th, and January 1st. The campground is closed 6 nights: the night before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, December 24th, December 25th, December 31st, and January 1st.

GET AN ENTRANCE PASS

America the Beautiful Pass

For Vehicles
If you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass.

Private Vehicle $25

Motorcycle $20

For Individuals without a Vehicle

If you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under 16 don't need an entrance pass.

Per Person $15

PARK HOURS

Spring Operating Hours: March 1–April 30

Every Day:7:00 AM–7:00 PM

All hiking trails and archaeological sites are open from 7:00am until 7:00pm from Mar 1-Apr 30. At 7:00 PM, you must be leaving or if you are camping, you need to be back in the campground.

Summer Hours: May 1- Oct 31
Every Day:7:00 AM–9:00 PM

Winter Operating Hours
November 1–February 28

Every Day:7:00 AM–5:00 PM

All hiking trails and archaeological sites are open from 7:00am until 5:00pm from Nov 1-Feb 28. At 5:00 PM, you must be leaving or if you are camping, you need to be back in the campground.

See Map here
Chaco Culture National Historical Park Visitor Center

This is Chaco Culture's only visitor center. The hours of operation are 9:00am-5:00pm every day. Please stop in before heading into the park. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Visitor Center Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM