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Six of Chaco's Great Houses are accessible with short walks from parking areas on the loop road. Construction on the oldest two (Una Vida and Pueblo Bonito) began around the mid-800's with newer additions added over the next three centuries. The other four (Hungo Pavi, Chetro Ketl, Pueblo del Arroyo and Casa Rinconada) were constructed after the turn of the first millennium with all new building in the canyon ceasing around 1150 AD.
A "Great House" is a catchall term for the very large stone buildings - with hundreds of rooms and kivas, and multiple floors - that appeared in this region during the height of the Chacoan Period. Several dozen were located within the canyon and at least 150 more were constructed along wide, carefully engineered and maintained roadways that radiated out of the canyon in all directions. Chaco Culture NHP contains thousands of archeological sites but only a fraction have been excavated; some have been gently explored and covered up again to preserve them from the harsh elements of the high desert.
All of the Great Houses have different and interesting characteristics and a few have trail guides you can download from the park website in advance. Printed trail guides (50 cents or so) are available at the Visitor Center or at the trailheads for each site.
Updated Dec 2, 2009
Address: Chaco Culture NHP, New Mexico
Phone: (505) 786-7014
Website: www.nps.gov/chcu/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
There are six sites open to the public that are a very short distance from the loop road, Una Vida, located next to the Visitor Center, Hungo Pavi, Chetro Ketl, Pueblo Bonito, Pueblo del Arroyo, and Casa Rinconada. In addition, there are five other sites accessible by trail: the Pueblo Alto complex, Casa Chiquita, Tsin Kletsin, Peñasco Blanco, and Wijiji.
It is impossible to see them all in a day. Plan on staying several days at the park. The campground is located about a mile from the visitor center. I heard rumors that there are hot showers there now.
Written Aug 28, 2004
The Chacoans were skilled masons, that these pueblos still stand is a testament to their skills. Over time, their techniques evolved from simple walls one stone thick held together with a generous amount of mud mortar, to this more elegant style found at Pueblo Bonito
Written Aug 28, 2004
The trail to Peñasco Blanco is about 6 miles roundtrip, and well worth the effort. The trail passes by Pueblo del Arroyo, Kin Kletso, and Casa Chiquita. Beyond Casa Chiquita, there is a spur trail that passes by many petroglyphs carved into the canyon walls. After the spur rejoins the main trail, you continue walking along the Chaco Wash. Near the end of the trail, you cross the wash, and start up the other side of the canyon. Another short spur leads you to the most famous of the petroglyphs in the park, the so-called supernova petroglyphs. After returning to the trail, follow the cairns to Peñasco Blanco.
Written Aug 28, 2004
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The primitive campgound at Chaco Canyon National Historic Park is operated by the National Park Service. There are 47 sites and vehicles up to 30 feet long can park here. The limited facilities include flush toilets, fire grates, and picnic tables.
The camping fee is $10 and visits are limited to seven days.
Written Apr 6, 2003
Phone: (505) 786-7014
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The builders of Pueblo Bonito knew when they started that they were going to build four or five stories but the walls weren't erected in a single operation. As the height for each story was reached, beams were built into the wall, and the ceiling covered to provide a platform from which to work while raising the walls another stage.
Written Apr 6, 2003
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Constructed over three acres of land around 850 A.D., Pueblo Bonito had five stories, 800 rooms and 40 kivas housing 1,200 Anasazi - ancestors of today's Pueblo Indians.
The Chacoans were highly-skilled masons, building their cities of sandstone blocks mortared with mud, without metals tools or formal mathematical knowledge.
Written Apr 6, 2003
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Pueblo Bonito is a massive semi-circular "great house" that was used from 850 A.D. to around 1150. It encompasses many ceremonial kivas as interconnected cells.
OPEN: Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily 8-6
Labor Day-Memorial Day, daily 8-5
ADMISSION: $8 per vehicle
Written Apr 6, 2003
Phone: (505) 786-7014
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Climb the trail that goes up the cliffs overlooking Chaco Canyon. It is totally worth it. You get fantastic views of the ruins.
Updated Jul 8, 2005
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On the morning of the winter solstice in December, the rays of the rising sun shine through this window and strike the opposite corner of the room behind it.
Updated Apr 6, 2003
Yupkoyvi: "The Place beyond the Horizon"
I don't know where to begin to write about Chaco. This was our second trip to this remote and mysterious canyon and I fell as completely under its spell as I did the first time. Of all the ancient,...
Chaco Canyon National Historic Park
Chaco Canyon is home to the largest excavated Native American ruins in North America. The more than 2,000 sites were constructed between 900 and 1200 years ago. The Anasazi ("ancient ones") -...
The weather was beautiful and warm in the sun this day in March. We lucked out because it had been a cold and wet winter in New Mexico.
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