Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Fajada Butte's silhoutte shown under a timelapse image of stars appearing in a vibrant circle above.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is an International Dark Sky Park.
The entrance sign to Chaco Culture made out of sandstone and showing Fajada Butte through a window.
Welcome to Chaco Culture National Historical Park!
Colorful sandstone walls with two open sections in the middle that look like doorways.
Most walls seen at Chaco Culture NHP are close to 1,000 years old.
A raven perched on the side of a canyon wall.
Observe many ravens while visiting Chaco Culture NHP.
An aerial view of the Pueblo Bonito great house showing many rooms and circular kivas.
Pueblo Bonito is the largest great house within Chaco Canyon.
A series of 4 Chacoan jars replicated in the same black on white style that was excavated long ago.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is home to impressive pottery built by the ancestral Pueblo people.
Photos: National Park Service

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.

Quick Facts

State New Mexico
Designation National Historical Park
State Code NM
Weather 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…

Location & Map

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located in New Mexico.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle $25.00

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.

Entrance - Per Person $15.00

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.

Entrance - Motorcycle $20.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Commercial Entrance - Van $40.00

This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach $100.00

This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups $25.00

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.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups $0.00

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.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan $40.00

This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus $40.00

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.

Wednesday 7:00AM - 9:00PM
Monday 7:00AM - 9:00PM
Thursday 7:00AM - 9:00PM
Sunday 7:00AM - 9:00PM
Tuesday 7:00AM - 9:00PM
Friday 7:00AM - 9:00PM
Saturday 7:00AM - 9:00PM

Activities

Astronomy Camping Guided Tours Hiking Junior Ranger Program

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 Directions

Contact & Address

Address 1808 CR 7950, Nageezi, NM, 87037
Phone 5057867014

Topics & Themes

Archeology Ruins Night Sky

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…

Hours: The visitor center and park are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The visitor center has a gift shop and orientation film.

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.…

24 Sites

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