Can You Camp At Chaco Canyon
Sprawled on a high desert land of 34,000 acres, the Chaco Culture National Historical Park houses the ruins of the Chacoan civilization. Park visitors never fail to be mesmerized by the huge stone structures that are nestled in an area of the Colorado Plateau 20 miles off the continental divide. The area is known to receive less than ten inches of precipitation a year. The idea of living at Chaco Canyon during ancient times is both inspiring and mystifying.
Gallo Campground
Tucked among the fallen cliffs and boulders of Gallo Wash, the Gallo Campground is around one mile from the park’s visitor’s center and more than a mile away from the main ruins. It is the only camping option in the park and it’s open to campers year-round.
Facilities At The Camp
Visitors can enjoy camping in a literally rugged environment that’s surrounded by inscriptions, a cliff dwelling, petroglyphs and a high desert landscape. The campground is made up of 49 individual campsites with each site having a picnic table and a fire grate. It also has 2 group campsites which can accommodate 10 to 30 people. These group campsites also have picnic tables and a fire grate.
From March to October, the camp offers restroom facilities with flushable toilets on site. These are supplemented with portable toilets which are only available during the winter months. There are no facilities for taking showers, no food services, convenience stores, hookups and cell phone services. It’s primitive camping that’s perfect for anyone who knows the essence of coming prepared and willing to be temporarily “disconnected†from their tech-filled living.
Camping Perks
Camping at Chaco means you have all the time in the world to discover and explore the famous ruins. These include the half a dozen “great houses†such as Pueblo Bonito which is made up of more than 650 rooms. Apart from the great houses, you can also marvel at the landscape which is littered with smaller structures. Witness how the building walls are aligned with the directions inspired by astronomical elements. Roads are also different from the common everyday roads you’ve grown up with. For the Anasazi, roads had get more info ceremonial significance and had to be perfectly aligned for hundreds of miles while they are stretched straight up and down the cliff faces.
Night time is even more exciting as it allows you to see the valley under the moonlight which cast shadows on the ruins, creating a sense of being transported into the life of the area’s past inhabitants. In an instant, you feel a sense of amazement on how the site used to be occupied by a highly organized and productive society that’s also known for their elaborate culture and ingenious way of living.
Types of Camping
There are a number of ways on how you can go camping at Chaco Canyon. These include tent camping, car camping, RVs camping, and alternative camping.
Sites 36 to 49 are intended solely for tent camping. Other sites are open to both tents and RVs (must not be more than 35 feet in length).
Alternative camping is possible in other nearby locations. These include Ruby Ranch, Chaco Outlier Campsites, Angel Peak Scenic Area, and Navajo Lake.