Chaco Canyon was the home of many indigenous southwestern peoples, and the center of a far-reaching culture between 850 and 1250 A.D. After a thousand years, the great houses and other structures stand as monuments to a unique period in indigenous history, when diverse peoples were united in a shared vision of the world.
Chaco Culture National Historic Park preserves a special chapter in human history. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, joining a select list of protected areas whose outstanding natural and cultural resources form the common inheritance of all mankind.
|
| Elevation: |
6,229 feet, at Visitor Center |
| Fees: |
- The $8.00 fee is good for seven days and covers all occupants of a private vehicle (non commercial).
- An individual pass costs $4.00 and is good for seven days.
This fee covers motorcycles, bicyclists, and non commercial bus passengers.
|
| Hours: |
All trails and Chacoan cultural sites are closed from sunset to sunrise. |
| Facilities: |
Visitor Center, museum, book store, restrooms, drinking water, picnic areas, and a campground. |
| Directions: |
The Park is located in northwestern New Mexico. All routes into the Park include sections of dirt roads that are infrequently maintained; they can become impassable during inclement weather. Call the Park at 505-786-7014, ext. 221, for road conditions.
- The recommended access route is from the north, via U.S. Highway 550/44 and County Roads 7900 and 7950. Turn off U.S. 550 at CR 7900, three miles east of Nageezi and about 50 miles west of Cuba (at mile post 112.5). Follow the signs south on CR 7900 for five miles of paved road, then turn right on CR 7950, for 16 miles of unpaved road to the park boundary.
- Two roads access Chaco from the south. Both access the Park from Navajo 9, running between Cronwpoint, Pueblo Pintado, and Cuba. Signs direct travelers to the Park via Pueblo Pintado and via Seven Lakes. At Pueblo Pintado turn north on Navajo 46 for 10 miles, then left on CR 7900 for seven miles, and then left on CR7950 for 16 miles to the Park entrance (33 miles over rough dirt). At Seven Lakes (3 miles north and 12 miles east of Crownpoint), turn north on N. M. 57 to the Park entrance (20 miles over rough dirt).
- Get NPS directions.
- See Road Closures information.
- Get directions from Google Maps.
- Get directions from MapQuest.
|
| Coordinates: |
Map Coordinates (NAD83): 36 01.819N; 107 54.631W. |
| Weather: |
Winters are cold and summers are hot with very little shade. Highs are typically in the mid to upper 90s. Brief violent thunderstorms occur in summer, generally from July through September. Temperatures in September and October range from the low 60s to the mid 70s, with overnight lows from the low 30s to the mid 40s. |
| Regulations: |
|
| Precautions: |
|
