Forum Discussion

loggenrock's avatar
loggenrock
Explorer
Feb 10, 2018

Info about Chaco Canyon and other sites in NM

Buried in snow and cold in NH - so starting to plan for spring trip to NM and CO. This time would like to visit Chaco Canyon and surrounding sites. Looking for suggestions regarding places to see/visit/avoid in the general area. Last time was 2002 - went to Arches/Moab/Mesa Verde. Want to see/explore more! Any input appreciated! Thanks! ST

12 Replies

  • Chaco is an amazing place, but it is remote, as Agesilaus points out.

    But there are plenty of Ancestral Pueblan sites in the region that are more accessible. Just a few:

    -Navajo National Monument, AZ
    -Mesa Verde, CO
    -Aztec National Monument, NM
    -Bandelier National Monument, NM

    :)
    Lynn
  • Chaco is down dirt road, not sure how long; 10 or 15 miles anyway. The road condition varies from sandy but generally OK, when it's just been graded. To very rough and rutted. Not sure I'd want to take a big Class A down it.

    Parks have personalities, or rather the park rangers do. I suspect this is a reflection of the guy in charge at the park. But when we were there the place was being run by a very unpleasant bunch of rangers, that was several years ago and the staff could have completely changed by now. IT soured my opinion of the park anyway.

    And we have been to many ancient indian ruin parks and frankly they all look alike after the 8th or 10th version. I know I'm going the hear it about this comment.

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,730 PostsLatest Activity: Dec 06, 2022