The Center of an Ancient World
Today the massive buildings of the ancestral Pueblo peoples still testify to the organizational and engineering abilities not seen anywhere else in the American Southwest. For a deeper contact with the canyon that was central to thousands of people between 850 and 1250 A.D., come and explore Chaco through guided tours, hiking & biking trails, evening campfire talks, and night sky programs.
Features
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National Fossil & International Archaeology Day
Join park staff to celebrate National Fossil Day and International Archaeology Day on October 15th and 18th, 2014.
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International Dark Sky Park
On August 19, 2013, Chaco Culture became the world's newest International Dark Sky Park, one of only four NPS units to receive this distinction.
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Chaco Museum Collection
Learn about the artifacts found at Chaco and visit the web exhibit to see some of the treasures of the park's museum collection.
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Join Our Friends
Friends of Chaco is a nonprofit corporation that assists Chaco Culture NHP in preserving and protecting park resources and the visitor experience
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Traditions of the Sun
Take a virtual tour through Chaco's cultural sites before you visit them. View NASA satellite photos of the park from space and other historic photos.
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Chaco Research Archive
This online resource provides access to a wealth of information documenting the history of archaeological research in Chaco Canyon and beyond.
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Did You Know?
Many of the animal mounds you see at Chaco were made by Ord's kangaroo rats. They often dig in the soft midden (trash) areas in sites because they are elevated, easy to dig in, and don’t flood. In their colonies there are often more burrow openings than there are rats! (Drawing courtesy: ICWDM.org)