chaco canyon tours from albuquerque

Chaco Canyon Adventure

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwest New Mexico. Marvel at the thousand-year-old, resilient architecture of Chaco Canyon, where the Ancestral Pueblos showcased their exceptional engineering skills in designing Great Houses with celestial alignments over vast distances. This iconic location continues to hold deep significance for modern indigenous communities, keeping their ties alive through kinship and sacred ceremonies.

Chaco Culture NHP - archaeoastronomy

Story - local history, indigenous knowledge

Guided routes - 2.5-kilometers, 5-hrs, Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl, and more!

Small groups - maximum of 10-12 people, enjoy an authentic experience

Booking - full deposit required

Start/end - meet at Visitor Center parking lot, or at scheduled meet-up location

Pricing List

Maximum 10-12 people per tour

Six years and under FREE

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Chaco Canyon Tours

Experience chaco, new mexico.

Immerse yourself in a captivating exploration of ancestral Puebloan civilization in the high desert of New Mexico. Discover well-preserved sites, including Pueblo Bonito and Casa Rinconada, with knowledgeable guides sharing insights into these ancestral structures’, advanced engineering, and cultural significance. Unveil the rich history of the Chacoan people on this remarkable journey.

ALL CHACO TOURS MEET AND END AT THE H.I. TRAVEL HUB INSIDE HOTEL CHACO IN THE SAWMILL DISTRICT OF ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

VISIT H.I. albuquerque

inside HOTEL CHACO 2000 Bellamah Ave NW Albuquerque, NM 87104 GET DIRECTIONS

Chaco Canyon Day Tour

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (1 = Easy | 3 = Moderate | 5 = Difficult)

Explore the mystery of Chaco Canyon UNESCO World Heritage Site with Heritage Inspirations. Featured in top publications, our tours unveil the enigma of this ancestral Puebloan site.

$325 per person + tax* VARIED PRICING: Hotel Chaco guests $299 + tax tour price per person

Saturday 7:15 am - 5:45 pm (Not offered in July and August): March 1 - November 30 MEET AT: Hotel Chaco in Old Town Albuquerque TOUR REGION(S): Albuquerque, NM, Chaco Canyon, NM

Acoma Pueblo Day Tour + Chaco Canyon Day Tour Bundle

Explore the ancient Acoma Pueblo, the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S. A cultural journey from Hotel Chaco to Sky City.

$565 per person + tax* VARIED PRICING: Hotel Chaco guests $540 + tax tour price per person

Friday: DEPART: 8:00 am - RETURN: 2:30 pm Saturday: DEPART: 7:15 am - RETURN: 5:45 pm (Not offered in July and August): March 1 - November 30 MEET AT: Hotel Chaco in Old Town Albuquerque TOUR REGION(S): Albuquerque, NM, Chaco Canyon, NM

Chaco Canyon Glamping Excursion

Not only can you experience this major ancestral Puebloan center of migration, grand construction, and cultural integration, but you can do it at an equinox to witness the precision engineering, elaborate ingenuity, and timeless architecture documenting the sun’s movement across the sky.

Your luxurious journey to the National Park of Chaco Canyon will transcend this ancient site, at its most special time.

$1599 per person + tax* SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FEE: $199 per night for private tent

DEPART: 8:00 am - RETURN: 3:30 pm 2024 New Moon (Special departure from Santa Fe at Inn of the Five Graces. Special Rate Code: CHACO) : April 8 - April 9 2024 New Moon: May 7 - May 8 2024 Fall Equinox: September 21 - September 22 MEET AT: Hotel Chaco in Old Town Albuquerque TOUR REGION(S): Albuquerque, NM, Chaco Canyon, NM

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Chaco Canyon Guided Tours

Travel tips.

A multi-room ruin in Chaco Canyon. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images )

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One of the most significant archaeological sites of the Four Corners is Chaco Canyon in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. As you enter the park from narrow roads lined with sparse sagebrush and the occasional juniper, the buildings remain camouflaged against the desert. At first glance, it is easy to miss these structures, but a tour of the area grants you a close-up view of their carefully crafted rock walls. Each room, tower and kiva demonstrates the amazing abilities of a civilization that used no metal tools or calculators to build with rock, mud and wood.

Ranger-Guided Tours

Tours guided by National Park Service rangers are available from April through October. The main tour takes visitors to Pueblo Bonita. Not only is this considered the most significant location in Chaco Canyon; it is also one of the largest pueblo structures. This grand structure extends over three acres in a half circle. When archaeologists studied its 600 rooms, they determined the pueblo's main purpose was for ceremonies and other community needs. Its resilient architecture includes towers up to five stories high. With a broad understanding of Chacoan history, your ranger will be able to call attention to these and other important details of this pueblo.

Self-Guided Tours

Most of Chaco Canyon is set up to be toured on your own, allowing you to determine your own pace and schedule at each of the sites. For a richer understanding of the area, start at the visitor's center, where you can get a close-up look at artifacts in the museum. Take the Canyon Loop Drive to access most of the sites, including Una Vida, Hungo Pavi, Chetro Ketl, Pueblo del Arroyo and Casa Rinconada. Various hikes lead from this road to petroglyphs, a diverse array of ruins and staircases chiseled in the canyon walls.

Private Tours

To get a comprehensive look at the expansive Anasazi territory, take a private tour. As you visit sites outside of the canyon, you gain awareness of the impressiveness of Chaco and its important role in Anasazi culture. The Salmon Ruins Museum leads groups from its location in Bloomfield; guests tour houses and kivas as they make their way toward Chaco Canyon. Other tour companies offer the opportunity to see sites currently in stages of excavation, giving you a peek at the progression these ruins make from hidden objects in the sand to fully unearthed structures.

Considerations

Chaco Canyon runs through a remote section of desert between Farmington and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Some of the access roads are dirt roads with little maintenance, and they can be rough or impassable. This is one area in which it is best to use reliable maps and leave the GPS at home. Come prepared with ample water, food and sunscreen, as the park's services are limited.

National Park Service: Chaco Culture: Things to Do
National Park Service: Pueblo Bonita
National Park Service: Chaco Culture: Directions

Getting hands dirty is just part of the fun for Sarah Shelton, who draws on personal experience to write home and garden, automotive and travel articles. Her pieces have appeared on ConsumerSearch.com, USA TODAY, Dremel.com and other websites. Shelton received a bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and currently lives in southern Oregon.

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A great day trip from Albuquerque! - Chaco Culture National Historical Park

United States
New Mexico (NM)
Nageezi
Nageezi - Things to Do
Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Great piece of history of the southwest. The campsites had the best bathrooms I’ve ever seen. They... read more

We hired a guide through Navaho Tours here on Tripadvisor, and it was worth it. We needed to have... read more

A great day trip from Albuquerque!

Plan on about 3 hours to drive out to the visitor center, another 2-3 hours to explore (there's plenty more if you have the time), and then 3 hours back to Albuquerque. A solid day trip worth the drive if you enjoy beautiful vistas, colorful hills and canyons, and AMAZING large ruins full of native American history. Yes, there is about 4 miles of washboard dirt road, so be prepared to go slower on that part (as you near the visitor center), but otherwise it's easy on the tires. There is a 25-minute video at the visitor's center, if you watch the first 10-15 minutes you get the gist. Otherwise, the visitor's center doesn't have much in it except a ranger who can give you some good information. For the best day trip experience, I recommend stopping at Chetro Ketl ruins (after you enter the park) and Pueblo Bonito, which are the largest two ruins and have a walking path between them where you can see petroglyphs on the canyon walls. If you have more time, by all means take in some of the stops, but if you go through these two, you will be absolutely amazed and you will have seen the best there is to see! Be prepared to walk a mile or so around the two ruins. I saw several elderly people with their canes and they were quite able to walk there, so the path is uncluttered and not strenuous. Bring plenty of water and a cooler with lunch or snacks. Oh, and don't forget the camera, you will want to take lots of pictures!

read all the warnings about the roads..they are very tough. get a reservation for a campsite. I reccommend campsite no 14. it is close to the toilet and next to the ONLY tree in the entire campground. 14 is on the east side of the tree,,thus getting morning sun and warmth and somewhat protected from the sun in the west in the afternoon.

Worth the 3 hour drive from Albuquerque, be careful as the last road in and first road out are all hard packed dirt and very bumpy! But an amazing journey back in to the early days of America and the Chacoan Indians. It will leave you mesmerized.

CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK CROSSROADS OF OLD WAYS AND TRADITIONS (NEW MEXICO’S HIDDEN BYWAYS I) In the vastness of the New Mexico desert, there is a place that was lost, and now rediscovered. This is a place where the land is old and dry, a place where the colors of red rock meets the eye in every direction. A place where the land speaks to the mind through shape and shadow, and the wind whispers of ages past and present. This is a very ancient place, where time has stood still. This is an area where the wind whispers through the ruins and the rust colored rock cliffs tell tales of long forgotten times. A place where the ancient people lived and traditions were kept, cherished, and remembered. This is a place where the land was sacred, and worked in the old ways and worshiped for its wisdom. This place is CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. Chaco Canyon, as it is known, is located in the Northwestern section of the state of New Mexico. The access to this Historical Park is via NM US550 southeast of the town of Nageezi, NM. You can also access the historical park from the north via SR550S from the Bloomfield, NM. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRIP IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN THE LAST 12-24 HOURS. THESE INNER DESERT ROADS CAN GET VERY MUDDY, QUITE SLICK, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS RUTTED AREAS. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A STREAM (WASH) CROSSING NEAR THE PARK. THIS STREAM WILL BECOME A RAGING FLOOD IN HEAVY RAIN, MAKING CROSSING IMPOSSIBLE. USING A VEHICLE WITH HIGH CLEARANCE, SUCH AS AN SUV, SMALL TRUCK, OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE JEEP TYPE, IS NOT MANDETORY, BUT PRACTICAL. I AM NOT KIDDING!!! BRING WATER, FOOD, AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND YOUESELF. A GOOD AREA MAP IS ESSENTIAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS MINI EXPEDITION. CHECK THE LOCAL WEATHER FORCAST AND WATCH FOR INCOMING WEATHER, SUCH AS THUNDERSTORMS. The first question was lodging. We found that the town of Bloomfield, New Mexico was ideally suited for our needs. It is about 20 miles north of the initial turnoff for Chaco Canyon. There is a Best Western Territorial Inn located on US550 in Bloomfield that has excellent accommodations and nearby restaurants that will cater to your tastes. Additional lodging establishment are also located in the Bloomfield region. There are a number of approaches that can be used to access the park, but some of them are not maintained and can be dangerous. Furthermore, there is a rabbit warren of dirt roads crisscrossing the area, which can cause confusion and disorientation, getting you lost. Your best route is the one that I will describe below. Please note the aforementioned warnings for your safety, comfort, and peace of mind. From the town of Bloomfield, New Mexico: travel south on NM US550S for about 20 miles. Look for a sign on your right announcing the turnoff. Make a RIGHT turn onto CR 7900 (paved) and proceed in for about 7 – 8 miles to the junction of CR 7950, which will be a RIGHT turn. Please keep a sharp eye out for horsemen and animals. You are on ranchland and the roads are used as conduits for easy travel through this semi-desert region. Once you turn onto CR 7950, you will soon lose your paved road and get onto dirt/gravel. Do not exceed 20 – 25 mph on this section, which can contain ruts and potholes. You will travel 12 -15 miles on this washboard, paying strict attention to the signs. Stay on CR 7950, or you will find that you will get lost. As you approach the park, the road will get rougher. You will pass the home of Native Americans. Please respect their privacy. About a mile or two out of the park, you will have to make a water crossing (Escavada Wash). DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS CROSSING IF THE WATER IS HIGH AND FAST MOVING. There have been vehicles that have been washed away by the force of the water here. Do not stop in the middle of the crossing, but maintain a steady speed in low gear until you have reached the safety of the opposite shore. You have now reached Chaco Cultural National Historical Park at the sign, with Chacra Mesa and Fajada Butte on your left. You will also have a feeling of relief that you have survived the trip and arrived in one piece. Stop at the Visitors Center to pay your fee, get your map, and get oriented. Spend some time at the visitors Center, exploring the relics of that ancient puebloan group that built the ruins that you are about to visit. Get a map of the canyon and discuss the trail conditions with the ranger staff. In addition, take advantage of the rest rooms. You will have to return here if nature calls. It should be noted that there is a campground here. Please call for advanced reservations (505-786-7014, Ext. 221). The Chaco Canyon road is an elongated one-way loop, with ample parking as you move along the loop. Note that there are few visitors here due to the location of the park and the semi-difficult access. This will allow more freedom of movement through and around the ruins. In addition, keep an eye on the weather! Furthermore, have appropriate footgear on for some of the trails leading to outer ruins, along with water. NOTE: BE SURE TO USE RESTROOM FACILITIES BEFORE YOU ENTER THE VALLEY. THERE ARE NO FACILITIES UNTIL YOU EXIT, UNLESS YOU ARE FOND OF SHARING A BUSH OR A ROCK WITH A SNAKE. I have found the late morning, early to mid-afternoon (i.e. four to five PM) lighting to be excellent for photography due to the proper lighting on most of the various formations and ruins. DO NOT DEFACE OR CLIMB ON THESE RUINS OR ITS SURROUNDINGS. YOU ARE ON FEDERAL PROPERTY, AND IT IS AGAINST THE LAW. LEAVE IT THE WAY NATURE, AND MAN, INTENDED IT TO BE LEFT! REMEMBER, THIS WAS SOMEOME’S HOME, SO RESPECT THESE RELICS OF THE PAST. If you are planning to drive, here is a synopsis of what you will encounter: The first major ruin that you will encounter is HUNGO PAVI (see images). This multi-roomed structure was well built, with walls that are many feet thick. The rooms are very small, limiting living space. In addition, these early puebloans used some of this precious space for food storage. We found it amazing that so many individuals could live in such a small, by our standards, living space. As you approach this structure, marvel at the construction and number of rooms that it encompasses. This was all built by hand out of stone and mud. This was a vibrant agrarian community, using the irrigated soil to grow crops and draw water from now defunct springs. I found it amazing that these pieces of stone block meshed so well with the surrounding blocks, which indicated the simple sophistication of these early engineers. Of further interest was the squared off corners prevalent in all of the structures. Spend some time here, and admire what has past. Your next stop is the major ruins of PUEBLO BONITO (see images), the heart of the complex. Stand at the corner of this multi-storied, windowed Pueblo and admire the construction. These structures were built to withstand the ravages of time. The stone work is so fine that it could withstand weather (see image). Walk into one of the rooms and envision the ancient inhabitants pursuing their daily routines. Walk around this massive structure, as well as above it on the cliff trail, to get an idea of the size of these ruins. This, in my opinion, is my favorite spot in the park. Be sure to document your visit with many pictures. It should be noted that scientist theorize that the Chaco Canyon complex was the central hub of a vast trading network. It had to accommodate travelers, trading goods, storerooms religious needs, as well as its own permanent population. Some individuals think that this was an astronomical facility used by the ancients to predict events and mark time. A short walk will bring you to CHETRO KETI (see images). You will walk next to a rather long wall in your approach, which is another feature of this grouping. You will also notice many large circular constructs. These are large Kivas, built to hold many Native Americans during religious ceremonies. They were covered over with a roof structure, which has long since vanished in the mists of time. If you listen to the wind, you can almost hear the rhythmic chanting emanating from these holy constructs. Their size attests to the size of the population of the Chaco Canyon complex. Returning to your vehicle, you will encounter a parking area with a trail(s) leading to the ruins of PUEBLO DEL ARROYO, KIN KIETSO, and CASA CHIQUITO. These are magnificent structures that served as the housing and storage areas for the complex. Unfortunately, I noticed the slow build-up of approaching thunderheads and thunderstorms. With discretion being the better part of valor, we decided to beat a hasty retreat out of the park before the Escavada Wash flooded. This was a wise decision, because a line of thunderstorms with fierce electrical discharges (i.e. lighting) hit the area two hours later and lasted all night. The park was effectively cut off until the water level in the Escavada Wash drop to a safe level. To leave the park, retrace your steps. Safely cross the Escavada Wash and proceed on CR 7950 for about 14 miles to the junction of CR 7900. DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THE MAIN TRACK OF CR 7950! At the junction, make a LEFT onto the paved CR 7900 and proceed to the junction with NM US550N. Make a left here and proceed for about 20 miles to Bloomfield, NM. Congratulations, you have survived a very educational, and somewhat harrowing, trek. HAVE A SAFE AND HEALTHY TRIP. ALASKASEEKER = (B.I.N.)

Coming off of NM-550 (from Albuquerque to Farmington) its a 16 mile drive. The first 4 miles are paved, but then its hard packed dirt. About 3-5 miles later, you come to a wash (a spot where a small creek runs OVER the road.) The sign says not to cross if there is any water on the road. I checked it out on foot and found it to be safe, in my opinion. My wife and kids wanted to turn back, but I made us push on and I am glad we did. The road is rough and washboardy, but its fine if you are reasonable. We did it in a minivan with no trouble. Some spots are clearly rutted and would be a mess if wet, but when we went, they were just a nuisance. Just about 2 miles short of the park, the road is beatifully paved again. The park is very nice. Good facilities, enthusiastic rangers, and available water foutains/pumps. Some short trails to nice petroglyphs. The main reason for the visit are the ruins that date from 900-1200 AD. I am a student of history but never knew such extensive cities existed in the SW. A good visit. Worth the trip.

Amazing cultural site. Our map was not clear that this was a 28 mile ridged dirty road. Very difficult on your vehicle and very isolated so make sure you have gas and a sturdy and reliable car. Also cell service is non-existent so make sure you have a hard copy of your map or already dialed into your phone.

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Chaco Culture National Historical Park

1808 CR 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037
Phone: (505) 786-7014
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The Center of an Ancient World

Today the massive buildings of the ancestral Pueblo peoples still testify to the organizational and engineering abilities not seen anywhere else in the American Southwest. For a deeper contact with the canyon that was central to thousands of people between 850 and 1250 A.D., come and explore Chaco through guided tours, hiking & biking trails, evening campfire talks, and night sky programs.

Chaco Canyon is located in northwestern New Mexico. The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. Warning: Some of the local roads recommended by map publishers and GPS devices are unsafe for passenger cars. Please click here for directions to avoid getting lost or stuck.

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CHACO CANYON

On June 18, 1823, while leading an expedition to the heart of Hopi lands, Mexican soldier José Antonio Vizcarra (soon to be the third Mexican governor of New Mexico) dipped into a canyon and came across the remains of the largest series of structures built by man in North America. What Vizcarra found in that canyon was more than impressive — it was a rare design that, to this day, stands the test of time. Constructed of sandstone and timber, Chaco Canyon was the cultural center for the Ancient Pueblo people between 900 – 1150 AD. Now managed by the National Park Service, Chaco Canyon is a testament to human ingenuity and the merging of spiritual life, community and commerce.

In 1987 Chaco Canyon was designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. This is a reflection of its extraordinary cultural and physical significance. The purpose of UNESCO designations is to preserve and protect World Heritage Sites for the benefit of humanity. The program's recognition of Chaco Canyon pays respect to the ancient and the Native cultures. The designation is not granted lightly; there are only 802 designated UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites in the world. Of those, nine UNESCO designated sites are in the United States and three are in the Southwest. The Southwest designations include Chaco Canyon, Taos Pueblo and Mesa Verde. All three are within a day's drive from our hotel near Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.

CHACO CANYON DAY TOURS

Heritage Inspirations, Heritage Hotels' partner tour company, offers day trips from the hotel to Chaco Canyon - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park. Experience this major ancestral Puebloan center of migration, grand construction, and cultural integration and see why Chaco is a fascinating place of mystery. Learn more and book your day tour.