Gallo Campground, located one mile east of the Visitor Center, is open year-round. Tucked amongst the fallen boulders and cliffs of Gallo Wash, the campground offers camping in a rugged environment, surrounded by a cliff dwelling, petroglyphs, inscriptions, and a high desert landscape. There is no shade.

The 47 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is limited to 7 days. From April to October the campground frequesntly fills by 3:00pm on holidays and weekends. Trailers and RVs over 30 feet in length can not be accommodated. A dump station (closed in the winter) is locatd in the campground.

Each campsite costs $10.00 per night. Golden Age and Golden Access cardholders pay $5.00 per site, per night. There is a limit of six people, two tents, and two vehicles at each campsite.

Each site has a picnic table and fire grate (with a grill). Bring your own firewood or charcoal. Gathering wood is prohibited. Most sites include a tent pad.

Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Do not approach or feed the wildlife.

The campground has water (non-potable) and restrooms with flush toilets. Site #16 and both restrooms are handicap accessible. There are no showers or hook-ups. Drinking water is available 24 hours a day in the Visitor Center parking area, where telephones are located as well.

There is no gasoline, auto repair, or food available in the park. Basic supplies can be purchased at a convenience store, located near the junction of US 550 and CR 7900 (21 miles from the park) or in Crownpoint (39 miles south). To make the most of your visit, please plan ahead and come prepared.

Group Camping

Two group campsites (10 to 30 people in each) are available. The maximum capacity of the group campground is 60 people.

Group campground reservations must be made in advance by calling the park at (505) 786-7014 ext. 221. The cost for group gamping is $2.00 per person, per night, with a minimum fee of $25.00 per site. Campers with Golden Age or Golden Access cards pay $1.00 per person, per night.

The group campsites are designed for tent camping, and can not accommodate RVs, pop-up trailers, etc. There is sufficient parking for 4-5 vehicles in each group site. Picnic tables and a fire ring (with a grill) are proveded at each site. There are restrooms with flush toilets, but no showers or hook-ups. Firewood and charcoal are not available in the park, so bring your own. Wood gathering is not permitted. Drinking water is available at the Visitor Center parking area.

Upon your arrival and before setting up camp, please check in at the visitor center or with the campground host. You will be directed to the site reserved for your group. You must stay in the assigned site. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm Memorial day through Labor Day, and from 8:00am to 5:00pm the rest of the year.

The group leader should pay the group camping fee. Please bring cash (or a check made out to DOI - NPS) in the full amount to the Visitor Center. We can not accept credit cards for camping fees.

Your reservation will be held until 5:00pm on the day of your scheduled arrival. If your group cannot arrive by that time , please call (505) 786-7014 ext. 221 before 5:00pm and inform park staff when you will be arriving. If we do not hear from you by 5:00pm, your site(s) will be reassigned. If you need to cancel your reservation, please do so ASAP so that other campers may use your site. Thanks!

Directions

Chaco Canyon is located in northwestern New Mexico 155 miles from Albuquerque and 75 miles from Farmington 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 west of Cuba (at mile 112.5). This route is clearly signed from US 550 to the park boundary (21 miles). The route includes 5 miles of paved road (CR 7900) and 16 miles of dirt (CR 7950).

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. If you are traveling from the south, please call ahead for the latest conditions.

Via Hwy 57: This turnoff is 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 CR 7900 for 7 miles (rough dirt). Turn left on CR 7950, and follow the signs for 16 miles (dirt) to the park entrance. (33 miles of dirt)

The northern and southern routes include 16, 20, and 33 miles of dirt roads, respectively. These sections of road are infrequently maintained, and they can become impassable during inclement weather. Call the park (505-786-7014 ext. 221) for current road conditions.