Chaco Canyon

Chaco Canyon, protected today as Chaco Culture National Historical Park, preserves one of the most important centers of ancestral Puebloan civilization. Between roughly 850 and 1250 CE, this remote high-desert canyon in northwestern New Mexico grew into a hub of culture, trade, and ceremony, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A Sacred Part of History That Remains

The canyon is famous for its monumental great houses, multi-story stone buildings raised with remarkable precision. The largest, Pueblo Bonito, once rose several stories and held hundreds of rooms and ceremonial kivas. Many structures are aligned to the movements of the sun and moon, reflecting the deep astronomical knowledge of the people who built them.

Plan Your Visit

Chaco is remote, and reaching it is part of the experience. Access is best from the north entrance near the town of Nageezi via County Road 7900, which is paved at first and then turns to dirt for several miles, so check road conditions before you go and follow the Chaco Canyon signs. Bring plenty of water, fuel, and supplies, as services are limited once you arrive.