mlm59

We are planning to visit Chaco Canyon when we travel to NM in Sept. 2008. We plan to arrive in Albuquerque on Saturday afternoon and would like to drive near Chaco to spend the night and start out for Chaco on Sunday morning. Is there any place in the area to stay? What is the best route to take to Chaco? I realize the roads will not be paved in many areas and the weather could prevent us from visiting.

We also plan to visit Bandelier and Acoma during this trip. Is Chaco a very different experience than these other places?

Bobmrg

Haven't been to Bandalier so can't comment. Acoma is the direct opposite of Chaco Canyon...it is on a plateau. There is only one way to get up to it, and that is via the buses run by the Acomas. But it is fascinating!

Can't remember where we were staying when we visited Chaco, but I do recall that we were required to have a native guide. Do them both if you can.

richbutnot

We spent the night in Albuquerque, drove up to Chaco for the day, and spent that night in Farmington. We went to the Visitor Center, drove the loop and walked around 3 or 4 ruins, and had plenty of time. We were there last year and didn't need a guide.

I have experience with rough roads living in Arkansas and the road to Chaco is the roughest I've ever driven. It took 40 minutes from the highway to the park. Some place we couldn't drive more than 15 mph. It's not that there are a lot of pot holes, it more like a washboard.

carlyshells

Hi mlm - if you're willing to camp, staying at the campground in Chaco is the most ideal. As I'm sure you've already discovered, there is not much in the way of lodging around the park. Camping will also give you the opportunity to do one of the night ranger walks to the ruins, which is only available to those who are staying in the campground. The night walk is really quite amazing and gives you a much different perspective on the Chacoan culture. Not to mention the otherworldly feeling of being amongst the ruins at night. On the night that I went, astronomers were also there with high-powered telescopes and they showed the group a few different planets and star clusters, which seemed so close you could touch them. You might want to call ahead and find out the night ranger walk schedule before you go.

As far as driving into the park, the dirt road is definitely rough but you just need to take it slow (another reason that it is nice to stay in the campground - you don't need to drive that road in and back out in the same day!). We had a regular sedan rental car and it was just fine.

I've been to Bandolier and it does not hold a candle to Chaco, IMHO. It is good to see if you don't have a chance to make the trek to Chaco; but if you do go to Bandolier, I would recommend seeing it first, otherwise you will be disappointed if you visit it after Chaco. I've not been to Acoma, so can't comment on that.

tovarich

Acoma is a must.It's a pueblo.If you're interested in Native craft try the many Indians selling pottery at the parking lot in front of the Visitor center.The road to the Chaco canyon is very bad.We visited the canyon in Sept.and it was dry.One of the Park rangers advised us to increase your speed when driving on that road.Less bumpy that way.We did our visit while on our way to Durango from Taos.Chaco is completely isolated.Paul

LarryT

Chaco is different from almost any other similar place and should not be missed. Farmington is your best bet for a place to stay and still allow most of a day in Chaco. The dirt road can be rough but is worth the time. Don't miss the movies in the Visitor's Center as they explain a lot . The ruins are amazing and have left as many questions as answers. Enjoy PS: Navajo guides are required to go down into the canyon at Canyon De Chelly - not Chaco

mlm59

Thanks for all of the great information/advice. I have done some more checking and have found a Super 8 and Best Western in Bloomfield, a little closer than Farmington.

I believe I read there is more than one entrance to Chaco. Which one is best from Bloomfield? When we leave we will get back on 550 south. Again, is there more than one road that will take us there?

Sorry, camping is not an option.

DebitNM

I believe the most direct way to and from Chaco is via RT 550, even from Bloomfield. Bloomfield is northwest of Chaco, so you are going to pass it and then have to go back the next morning.

Cuba is a small town before Chaco on Rt 550. It has a few small local motels that might work for you. I pass them often, but have never been inside.
Cuban Lodge, DelPrado Motel and Frontier Motel.

There's El Bruno's for dinner in Cuba [not the original which burned down, but across from the old building]. Watch out when driving on Rt 550 -- speed limits drop fast and they are most definitely speed traps - especially in San Ysidro and Cuba.

YOu could also realistically stay north of ABQ and make it to Chaco entrance in 2 hours and have a bigger choice of places to stay and eat.

IF that sounds like a plan, let me know and I can recommend some hotels and restaurants [let me know $$ and cuisine].

Hope this helps...
Debi

mlm59

Debi,

Thanks for the information. I may be intersted in staying in Cuba for one night since it is so close to Chaco. A motel in Cuba would be fine as long as it is safe and clean.

Since it is a year away I'm not sure of the time our flight will arrive. If early in the day maybe we would want to drive to Farmington and stay there. Is there much to do there?

I plan to arrive at Chaco on Sunday morning. How many hours should I plan for our visit? We are okay with short hikes, but not long ones.

I am thinking of driving to Santa Fe after leaving Chaco. I don't mind driving in the early evening as long as I can arrive there before it is too late. Does this sound doable?

Debi, thanks for the warning about speed traps on 550. We have encountered the same problem in other small towns. Guess that is their way of making money from tourists.

Thanks again to all of you who have given me ideas.

LarryT

There is only one road into Chaco from rt 550. Coming from Bloomfield, it will be right after Negessi (sp?) which is just a spot in the road. Cuba is south of Chaco so you may pass through it on your way north but not on the way to Chaco from Bloomfield. Take lots of film. One note of warning - don't attempt the road into Chaco in heavy rain. Road can turn to mush and there are several potential flash flood spots. Enjoy!

LarryT

PS: The road into Chaco starts out paved but the remaining 16 miles is 'unpaved'. The road inside Chaco is paved and is a one-way loop.

bob_brown

I think your best bet for overnight lodging is near or in Farmington.

The best way in and out is from US 550.

I drove it in the spring and the road was in good condition for a dirt road. I, too, had heard the horror stories so I rented an all-wheel drive Subaru for the trip. Perhaps the added stability helped, but the roads were not that bad.

Perhaps later in the year after summer rain showers, the roads turn to washboards.

I suggest you prepare as much as you possibly can before you get there. I really think the more you know about what you are looking at, the more you will enjoy the trip.

I was so fascinated by the place that I
promised myself I would return. Well, that promise is still open.

Bandelier is near Taos and it is a creek side type of cliff dwelling, fairly primitive by Mesa Verde standards. The housing was more holes in the rock than elaborate buildings.

It is scenic and relaxing to visit, or at least it was when I was there.

Others ruins in that area include the misnamed Aztec National Monument. This one is fairly well preserved and maintained.

Canyon de Chelley is another of the cliff type dwellings in the general area, but a few miles removed from Chaco.

As for different, I thought it was. The age, the construction, even the purpose of the buildings is different. Chaco, for example, probably was not a major center for a permanent population. Its reasons for being there are still subject to conjecture but evidence points to a trading and ceremonial center.

By contrast people lived their lives in Mesa Verde.

LarryT

See the NPS web site for straight poop:
http://www.nps.gov/chcu

sharondi

Chaco Canyon is a special place. And there is a lot to see. We camped for 2 nights in Sept 05. Farmington is a good spot to stay so you can hit the market for lunch items to bring into Chaco. There are no services in the park and it's a long, slow ride out. We didn't find the road bad at all - dusty but we were doing 35-40 mph.

After 2 nights at Chaco, we headed to Jemez Springs for a night on our way to Bandelier. We hiked to some incredible hot springs and spent the night at a wonderful inn called Canon del Rio. Very reasonable ($115/night incl. breakfast), scenic setting on a few acres w/ trails. Neat little town. Bandelier is worth a few hours. Very different and really scenic. We have way too many pictures of Chaco and Bandelier at the following link if you're interested.
Chaco pics starting on page 6, Bandelier starts on page 18:

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/co_and_nm_05&page=9

Be sure to see the Taos Pueblo if you're in Taos.

DebitNM

mlm - I was thinking about your question and am wondering why you think it is better to drive west PAST Chaco on Saturday and then drive back east on Sunday morning? Farmington is a pretty blah typical small town. It will take you over 2 hours to drive there and then in the morning, you will have to drive back another hour.

I would suggest staying in the Bernalillo area [north of ABQ] at a nicer hotel and where there are more places to eat and things to do on Saturday. Get up early on Sunday and drive straight over to Chaco.

I haven't been to caves in Bandalier [just drove through the forest in 2000 after the big fire] so can't answer if it is different but CHaco is far different from Acoma. See both if you can.

Debi

mlm59

Once again, I want to thank all of you for your suggestions.

Debi - I was thinking of driving to Cuba, Farmington or Bloomfield to spend the night so we would be close to Chaco on Sunday morning. As you have pointed out, the time savings may not be worth it. I'm not sure what time we will arrive in ABQ - too early to book flights.

We like to take an early flight and arrive before noon so we don't waste a day traveling. We like to be on the go all the time and only need a clean, safe place to sleep.

We have previously visited Mesa Verde, Walnut Canyon and Canyon de Chelly and greatly enjoyed learning about the culture of the native Americans who once inhabited (or are currently inhabiting) these areas. On this trip we plan to see Chaco Canyon, Acomo, Bandelier, and Taos Pueblo. Will all provide a different view of the life of the Native American people?

Also, can anyone tell me how long it will take to reach Santa Fe after leaving Chaco? That is our next destination and I am planning to drive there Sunday evening.

BeachGirl247

mlm, we drove from Santa Fe to Chaco via 285/84 to 502 which takes you through Los Alamos, Bandalier and Jemez Springs. Then connected to 550. We stopped a couple of times along the way but I think it was around 2 1/2 hours drive time from SF into the park. Map says 159 miles to Nageezi so that sounds about right. As you've heard the road into the park is the slow part (from the North). Says to call ahead for road conditions if coming from the South.

We camped so I cannot help on lodging but Farmington does seem out of the way. Try calling for additional info. 505-786-7014. I also recommend stopping at the visitor center in the park.

Debi, which route do you take from the South? Is it through White Horse and then 7900 on the dirt road to Nageezi?

Chaco is much grander and more substantial than Bandalier. Chaco is filled with many ruins, more than you can see in a day, and had such importance for the Puebloan people.

Have a great trip.

ksbeem

We just returned from the southwest. I've been to Chaco before; this time we went to Mesa Verde.We had our kids, and we thought it was a good overview becaus so many ruins have been excavated so completely.
When we visited Chaco, we stayed in Gallup because we also wanted to spend time on the Navajo reservation.
If you're going to Chaco, enter the park from the north. The southern road is pretty rough. We put a hole in the rental car's front quarter-panel on that road.

peterboy

Mesa Verde and many of the other Ancient Puebloan sites are the remnants
of the Chacoan Culture. I think, to really appreciate your visit, you should read up on the history of the place and culture. One of the best reads I found is 'Anasazi America':

http://www.amazon.com/Anasazi-Americ.../dp/0826321798

I've visited many Ancestral Puebloan sites in the southwest but Chaco just blew me away...it was the 'Rome' of the culture that existed there a thousand years ago. You'll learn that there are many unanswered questions about what Chaco Canyon was and what happened to it. For me the place was quite moving and I couldn't shake off a feeling of melancholy while I was there. It was a visit I'll never forget and I hope I'm able to return and stay longer sometime.

Yes, Chaco is very different from any other native American site. If all you have is a day then so be it...at least you'll have been there.

In light of recent interest in Climate vs. Culture, a trip to Chaco couldn't be more timely.

Since we camped there, I can't help with where to stay but I can tell you that the road wasn't that bad. It is washboard and there are two approaches to this...go very slow or go pretty fast...I did the latter since it was a rental. As others have said, it should be avoided in the rain. It rarely rains there though.

My best advice is to learn all you can about it before you go so you'll better appreciate what you're seeing. An amazing and mysterious place...maybe you'll decide to stay a bit longer.

Other interesting sites about Chaco:

http://www.exploratorium.edu/chaco/

http://www.colorado.edu/Conferences/chaco/roads.htm

http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/archeo...o_compare.html

http://www.solsticeproject.org/greanort.htm

http://www.chacoarchive.org/gallery.html

There's plenty more ifyou "google" Chacoan, Chaco Canyon, etc.

bailey6325

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