Chaco Campground reopens September 17, 2009!

Date: September 4, 2009
Contact: Visitor Center, 505-786-7014 ext. 221
Contact: Russ Bodnar, 505-786-7014 ext. 540

 Chaco Culture National Historical Park is continuing to make emergency repairs at the Gallo Campground to replace the septic system. On September 17, 2009 the park will open the Gallo Campground with limited services:

• There will be no running water in Gallo Campground. Visitors can get drinking water the Visitor Center, located one mile away.
• Restrooms will be closed. Eight portable rest rooms will be installed for campers to use.
• The dump station will be closed.
• There will be no facility to empty RV holding tanks at the park. There will be no sink areas to wash dishes. Please reduce water use, use paper plates, grill foods, etc.
• Only one group site will be available for groups of 10 (minimum) to 30 (maximum) people.

The 49 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is limited to 7 days. In September and October the campground frequently fills by 3:00pm on holidays and weekends. Trailers and RVs over 35 feet in length can not be accommodated.

 Each campsite costs $10.00 per night. Senior Pass and Access Pass 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.

There are no showers or hook-ups. Drinking water and rest rooms are 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 CR7900 (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

One group campsite (10 people minimum to 30 people maximum) is available.

Group campground reservations must be made in advance by calling the park at [phone] ext. 221. The cost for group camping is $2.00 per person, per night with a minimum fee of $25.00 per site, per night. Campers with a Senior Pass or Access Pass 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 provided at each site. 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 5:00pm.

The group leader must pay the group camping fee at the visitor center. Please pay with cash, check (payable to DIO-NPS), or credit card at the Visitor Center

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 [phone] 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 reservations, please do so ASAP so that other campers may use your site. Thanks!

Superintendent Barbara West thanks visitors for understanding our situation and helping the park until the emergency repairs are completed. The park will continue to provide daily tours of Pueblo Bonito (10am and 2pm), Night Sky Programs on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings (8pm) and other special presentations, like the ongoing Guest Speaker Series.