Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Protected park · NM, USA
Chaco Culture National Historical Park in NM, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
- When is Chaco Culture National Historical Park open?
- Usually Mon–Sun 7:00–17:00. Details
- When is the best time to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park?
- By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, May, and October. Details
- How much does it cost to get in?
- Published entrance fees: $15 per person, $20 for a motorcycle, and $25 for a private vehicle. Details
When is Chaco Culture National Historical Park open?
- Mon–Sun 7:00–17:00
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
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.
This park's official page lists: Wheelchair-accessible facilities, Restrooms, Visitor center, Drinking water, Picnic areas, Showers, Store / concessions.
When is the best time to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, May, and October.
The weather works against it in January, February, and December.
The warmest month is July, with average highs near 89°F (32°C); the coolest is January, near 40°F (4°C).
July is the wettest month, with about 1.8 in (46 mm) of precipitation in a typical July.
Getting in to Chaco Culture National Historical Park: fees and parking
Published entrance fees: $15 per person, $20 for a motorcycle, and $25 for a private vehicle.
Official facts
On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Chaco Culture National Historical Park's mapped point sits in the very low wildfire hazard class; that is a measure of the land, not a forecast.
Public access: Restricted access.
Protected area: 33,211 acres (13,440 ha).
Designation: National Historical Park. Listed as "Chaco Culture National Historical Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.
Established: 1980.
Managed by: NPS.
At the park
- Biking
- Camping
- Stargazing
- Hiking trails
Shows and experiences
- Ranger & guided programs
Before you go
- Disability access
- This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.
- Limits
- Each group site can accomodate a maximum of 30 people
- Limits
- Service Animals: Service animals are allowed anywhere that you are allowed to go in the park
- 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.
- Weather & when to go
- 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 fall are great times to visit with more moderate temperatures, but unexpected storms can change things dramatically. Monitor local weather forecasts.
- ⚠ Danger: Road conditions 11/7/26
- The north road remains impassable. After some clear skies the last few days, the south road is drying but is still wet in places and is extremely rough and rutted in others. Experience driving in rough/muddy conditions, high clearance, and 4WD are all recommended at this time. Some GPS units are saying the south road (57/14) is closed but that is NOT true! It just may be impassable for certain vehicle types. Please call for any additional questions or concerns: 505-786-7014.
- Visitor center
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park Visitor Center — 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. — Please click on the link for detailed directions to our visitor center.
- Visitor center
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park Visitor Center
Facilities on the park map
1 bench, 1 first aid kit, 2 picnic areas, 2 restrooms, 3 visitor information.
Where to stay
- Gallo Campground
History
- Opened
- 1980
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Operated by
- National Park Service
- Heritage designation
- part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (from 1987); America's Most Endangered Historic Places; National Register of Historic Places listed place (from 1966); International Dark Sky Park (from 2013)
- Designated National Register of Historic Places listed place — 1966-10-15
- Park opened
- Designated part of UNESCO World Heritage Site — 1987
- Designated International Dark Sky Park — 2013