About Chaco Culture National Historical Park
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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Summer highs are typically in the 80s to mid-90s. Thunderstorms can produce heavy localized downpours and sudden dramatic drops in temperatures. Winter temperatures will drop to well below freezing most nights. If you plan to camp in the winter, prepare for nighttime temperatures in the teens or lower. Spring and…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: New Mexico. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
This fee 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.
This fee allows a single individual traveling on foot, bicycle, or as individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group to enter the park to visit for up to 7 days from the date of purchase.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.
This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.
Non-commercial groups are charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle. For vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 or fewer, the fee is $25. For vehicles with a seating capacity of 16 or more, the fee is $15/person up to the commercial fee rate. Interagency passes may be used for entry in lieu of the $15/person fee.
If you represent an academic institution, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Download and complete the Academic Fee Waiver and mail it to the park at least two weeks prior to your intended visit. We will notify you of the approval or disapproval of your application before your arrival. Please call 505-786-7014 for any additional questions about this process.
This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.
This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.
Operating Hours
All hiking trails and archaeological sites are open from 7am until 9:00pm from May 1-October 31. The visitor center is open from 9:00am-5:00pm daily. At 8:30 PM, you must be leaving or if you are camping, you need to be back in the campground.
Activities
Current Alerts
It's a great weekend to visit Chaco! The north road (CR 7950) is currently dry and passable, with some deep ruts closer to the park. The south road (Hwy 57) is currently passable with AWD and experience driving in the mud. Some deep mud puddles remain on the south road, so the north road is the recommended route at this time. Feel free to call the visitor center for additional advice if needed: 505-786-7014.
Getting There
Your journey into Chaco Canyon will take you through private tribal lands. Please be respectful of our tribal neighbors and their livestock and leave no trace of your journey on their lands. Chaco Canyon is located in northwestern New Mexico. The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. Road conditions can be rough or impassable. Please call in advance for updates.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Visitor Centers
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…
Campgrounds
Gallo Campground
Gallo Campground, located one mile (1.6 km) east of the visitor center, is open year-round. The campground has 24 individual sites and 2 group sites.…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
