Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Danger Road conditions 11/8/26

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 AWD 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.

Overview

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

The Roosevelt connection

Protected by T.R.

His proclamations and orders

What to see and do

Activities

  • Astronomy
  • Camping
  • Guided Tours
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Chaco Culture National Historical Park: 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.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $25.00
  • Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
  • Entrance - Motorcycle — $20.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Van — $40.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $100.00
  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — $25.00
  • Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan — $40.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $40.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

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.

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

  • Gallo Campground (24 sites) — reserve

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 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.

Phone: 5057867014

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

The entrance sign to Chaco Culture made out of sandstone and showing Fajada Butte through a window.
Chaco Culture NHP Entrance Sign · M Murphy
Colorful sandstone walls with two open sections in the middle that look like doorways.
Sandstone Walls · NPS
A raven perched on the side of a canyon wall.
Raven · M Murphy
An aerial view of the Pueblo Bonito great house showing many rooms and circular kivas.
Pueblo Bonito · Andrew Kearns
A series of 4 Chacoan jars replicated in the same black on white style that was excavated long ago.
Chacoan Jars · NPS.

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