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Chaco Culture National Historical ParkPhoto of Pueblo Bonito in snow
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Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Directions
Photo of vehicle on CR 7950
Russ Bodnar
CR 7950 approaching Escavada Wash. Road is normally suitable for all passenger vehicles.
Car
Chaco Canyon is located in northwestern New Mexico. The preferred and recommended access route to the park is from the north, via US 550 (formerly NM 44) and County Road (CR) 7900, and CR 7950.

From the north, turn off US 550 at CR 7900--3 miles southeast of Nageezi and approximately 50 miles west of Cuba (at mile 112.5). This route is clearly signed from US 550 to the park boundary (21 miles). The route includes 8 miles of paved road (CR 7900) and 13 miles of rough dirt road (CR7950). 

From the south, two routes access Chaco from Highway 9, which runs between Crownpoint, Pueblo Pintado, and Cuba. Both routes can vary from very rough to impassable. Not recommended for RVs. If you are traveling from the south, please call ahead for the latest conditions.

Via Hwy 57(Hwy 14 on some maps): This turnoff is located on Highway 9, 13 miles east of Highway 371, at the former Seven Lakes Trading Post. (20 miles of dirt)

Via Pueblo Pintado: At the community of Pueblo Pintado, turn north on Navajo 46 for 10 miles (rough dirt). Turn left on County Road 7900 for 7 miles (some rough dirt). Turn left on County Road 7950, and follow the signs 16 miles to the park entrance (3 miles paved and 13 of rough dirt road).

The northern and southern routes include 13, 20, and 33 miles of dirt roads, respectively. These sections of road are infrequently maintained, and they can become impassable during inclement weather. If you have an RV and are not planning on camping in the park, you may want to leave the RV and drive a car into the park. Call the park (505-786-7014) for current road conditions.

Plane
The nearest airports are Farmington, NM, Gallup, NM, Durango,CO, and Albuquerque, NM.

Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to the park

 
Photo of Hwy 57 (14)
Russ Bodnar
Hwy 57 (14). Rough road not recommended for RV's.
 
Photo of HWY 57 (14)
Russ Bodnar
Hwy 57 (14) entering park from the south. Road can be rough and rutted. May be impassable.
Aerial photo of Chaco Canyon taken by Anne Morrow Lindbergh  

Did You Know?
The first aerial photographs of Chaco Canyon were taken from Charles Lindbergh's airplane by his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh in 1929.
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Last Updated: October 23, 2007 at 16:30 EST