Chaco Culture National Historical Park
NM

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Hours

Open daily · 7:00AM - 9:00PM

Entrance Fee

$25.00

Entrance - Private Vehicle

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Chaco Culture at a glance

Best time
March–May, September–November
Trip length
1–2 days
Don't miss
Main Chaco Culture highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
Nearby city
Nageezi, NM

Explore this park

About Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Explore the monumental structures and breathtaking landscape at Chaco, a thriving regional center for the ancestral Pueblo people from 850 to 1250 CE (Common Era), through hiking & biking trails, ranger guided tours & programs, and more. Chaco Canyon is a sacred and deeply personal place for many Indigenous peoples throughout the Southwest. Please visit with respect.

1 current NPS alert

  • Danger: Road conditions 10/25/26

Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 1, 2026). Official Chaco Culture National Historical Park page on nps.gov

Weather Information

  • Spring

    and fall are great times to visit with more moderate temperatures, but unexpected storms can change things dramatically.

  • Summer

    highs are typically in the 80s to mid-90s.

  • Winter

    temperatures will drop to well below freezing most nights.

Thunderstorms can produce heavy localized downpours and sudden dramatic drops in temperatures. If you plan to camp in the winter, prepare for nighttime temperatures in the teens or lower. Monitor forecasts.

Entrance Fees

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

$100.00

This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.

Commercial Entrance - Van

$40.00

This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

$40.00

This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

$40.00

This fee for commercial entrance is charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle.

Entrance - Private Vehicle

$25.00

This fee allows all persons traveling in one private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to enter the park to visit for up to 7 days from the date of purchase.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

$25.00

Non-commercial groups are charged per vehicle and based on the capacity of the vehicle. For vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 or fewer, the fee is $25. For vehicles with a seating capacity of 16 or more, the fee is $15/person up to the commercial fee rate. Interagency passes may be used for entry in lieu of the $15/person fee.

Entrance - Motorcycle

$20.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Entrance - Per Person

$15.00

This fee allows a single individual traveling on foot, bicycle, or as individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group to enter the park to visit for up to 7 days from the date of purchase.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

Free

If you represent an academic institution, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Download and complete the Academic Fee Waiver and mail it to the park at least two weeks prior to your intended visit. We will notify you of the approval or disapproval of your application before your arrival. Please call 505-786-7014 for any additional questions about this process.

Operating Hours

All hiking trails and archaeological sites are open from 7am until 9:00pm from May 1-October 31. The visitor center is open from 9:00am-5:00pm daily. At 8:30 PM, you must be leaving or if you are camping, you need to be back in the campground.

  • Monday7:00AM - 9:00PM
  • Tuesday7:00AM - 9:00PM
  • Wednesday7:00AM - 9:00PM
  • Thursday7:00AM - 9:00PM
  • Friday7:00AM - 9:00PM
  • Saturday7:00AM - 9:00PM
  • Sunday7:00AM - 9:00PM

Common questions

Planning Chaco Culture National Historical Park

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.

Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Chaco Culture. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.