Date: April 29, 2009
Contact: Visitor Center, 505-786-7014 ext. 221
Contact: Russ Bodnar, 505-786-7014 ext. 240
Camping at Chaco Culture National Historical Park will be interrupted in 2009 when emergency repairs begin at the Gallo Campground to replace the septic system. When construction begins on June 15, 2009, the park will suspend all camping in the park. Visitors will need to make alternative arrangements for their Chaco visit and find another camping option. The campground closure will continue until project completion (approximately three weeks). The park will continue to provide updates on this closure, the expected project completion date, and the campground re-opening. Visit the park web site (www.nps.gov/chcu) or call the park for updated information (505) 786-7014 ext. 221). The park regrets this inconvenience. The nearest camping options in the park's immediate area include:
Cactus Hill: 13 miles north of the park along CR 7950 (dirt road), local Navajo elders Mary J. Harrison and John Begay, invite campers to camp on their property. Camping is primitive and campers must be self contained (i.e. bring own food, water and pack out all trash). Contact by email at: chaco57camping@yahoo.com or call for more info at 505-860-5412 (leave message).
Ruby Ranch: A working cattle ranch 16 miles south of the park on Hwy 57 (rough dirt road) invites individuals and groups to camp a their ranch. There is unlimited camping ($5.00 per person/per night) at the ranch. Camping is primitive and campers will need to be self contained (i.e., bring their own food and water, pack out all trash and properly dispose of human waste). The ranch can accommodate large groups. Large groups may need to make arrangements to rent portable toilets through local vendors. Call Mickey or Amy Williams at (505) 979-0614 for further details.
Blanco Tracing Post: A working trading post located at 12341 S. Hwy 550, 29 miles north of Chaco off US 550. Fourth generation traders Justin and Savannah Higgins invite individuals and groups to camp adjacent to their trading post. ($5,00 per person/per night). Group rates are available. Restrooms and food service are available at the post during operating hours 6:30am to 9:00pm (summer). Water is available. Call (505) 632-1219 or e-mail: info@blancotradingpost.com for more info. Visit their web site at: www.blancotradingpost.com.
Lybrook Mercantile: A working trading post located near Mile Marker 103 on US Hwy 550, 34 miles from Chaco (on the way to Cuba & Albuquerque). Tent camping is $10.00 per night. There are 6 RV sites with hook-ups at $20.00 per night. There are no showers. Restrooms, laundry, gas, propane, groceries, and food service are available at the post during operating hours 8:00am to 6:00pm Water is available for RVs. Call (575) 568-4477 for more info. Closed on Sunday.
Angel Peak Scenic Area: A Scenic Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management is located 39 miles north of Chaco, off US Hwy 550 on CR 7175. Look for a turnoff just south of mile marker 137. A dirt road leads 6 miles to a primitive campground. Angel Peak Campground has nine sites available for tent camping; each with picnic tables and fire grates. Picnic shelters are located at three campsites, two with single shelters and one with a double shelter suitable for larger groups. Two accessible vault toilets and trash receptacles are conveniently located in the campground. A short nature trail leads to an overlook of the spectacular canyon. No electrical hookups or water are available. contact BLM-Farmington Field Office at (505) 599-8900. Visit their web site at: http://www.nm.blm.gov/recreation/farmington/angel_peak_scenic_area.htm
In addition to these sites there are commercial campgrounds available in Cuba, Bloomfield, Farmington, Grants, and Gallup. National Park Service campgrounds are also located at other regional sites such as Mesa Verde National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, El Malpais & El Moro National Monuments, and Bandelier National Monument. Additionally, there are numerous public campgrounds in the region managed by he US Forest Service, Navajo National Parks and Recreation, and the New Mexico State Parks.
Superintendent Barbara West thanks visitors for understanding our situation and helping the park by looking for alternative camping possibilities 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 summer solstice Pueblo dances at Pueblo Bonito on June 20, 2009.
Additional Camping options for the areas surrounding Chaco
Simon Canyon
Largely undeveloped area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Allows primitive backcountry camping. Attractions include Simon Canyon Pueblito; the remains of a Navajo defensive site dating to 1754.
Fee: None
Distance from Chaco: 80 miles
Contact:
BLM Farmington Field Office
(505) 599-8900
www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/farmington/Simon_Canyon_ACEC.html
McGee RV Park
Large RV park along the San Juan River between Farmington and Bloomfield. 574 RV spaces with electric and water hookups. Each of these sites is 21’ by 41’. In addition there are 100 dry camping sites. There is a dump station on site.
Fee: $18 per night for sites with hookups; $10 per night for dry camping sites
Distance from Chaco: 67 miles
Contact:
(505) 325-5415
Navajo Lake State Park
A New Mexico state park focused on Navajo Lake, a large reservoir on the San Juan River. Several campgrounds. Can accommodate both tent and RV camping.
Fee: $10 per night for developed sites (plus $4 each for water or electric hookups); $8 per night for primitive sites
Distance from Chaco: 85 miles
Contact:
(505) 632-2278
(888) 451-2541
www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/navajo.htm
Bisti/De Na Zin Wilderness Area
Undeveloped wilderness area known for its impressive geology. Allows backcountry primitive camping.
Fee: None
Distance from Chaco: 60 miles
Contact:
BLM Farmington Field Office
(505) 599-8900
www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/wilderness/bisti.html
Ruins Road RV Park
RV park in Aztec, NM, very close to Aztec Ruins National Monument. 53 spaces available.
Fee: $20 per night for sites with full hookups; $10 per night for dry/tent camping sites
Distance from Chaco: 75 miles
Contact:
(505) 334-3160
Desert Rose Resort
RV park and KOA Campground in Bloomfield.
Fee: $34 per night for RV sites ($30.60 with KOA or AAA cards; $26 per night for tent sites ($23.40 with KOA or AAA cards)
Distance from Chaco: 60 miles
Contact:
(505) 632-8339 (information)
(800) 562-8513 (reservations)
desertroseresort@aol.com
Angel Peak RV Park
Private RV park in Bloomfield, NM. Full hookups.
Fee: $22 per night
Distance from Chaco: 60 miles
Contact:
(505) 632-6780
info@angelpeakrv.com
www.angelpeakrv.com/
Apache Nugget Casino
Allows RV camping in 5 sites by arrangement. No hookups.
Fee: None
Distance from Chaco: 40 miles
Contact:
(575) 289-2486 or Lorraine at (575) 756-4965 (cell)
Los Piños Trailer Court
RV park on north side of Cuba, NM
Fee: $20 per night for sites with hookups; $10 per night for tent sites. Water available, but no showers & no toilets.
Distance from Chaco: 60 miles
Contact:
(575) 289-3525 or (505) 328-1325 (cell)
Theresa’s Beauty Shop & RV Park
Northwest of Cuba on US 550.
Fee: $15 per night for RV sites with hookups; No tents
Distance from Chaco: 59 miles
Contact:
(575) 289-3244
Clear Creek Campground
Forest Service campground in Jemez Mountains east of Cuba, NM. 15 sites available. Sites have tables and fire rings. Vault toilet.
Fee: $10 per night
Distance from Chaco: 71 miles
Contact:
Santa Fe National Forest, Cuba Ranger District
(575) 289-3264
www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/recreation/districts/cuba/camping/clearcreek.html
Rio de Las Vacas Campground
Forest Service campground in Jemez Mountains east of Cuba, NM. 16 sites available. Sites have tables and fire rings. Vault toilet. Potable water available.
Fee: $10 per night
Distance from Chaco: 72 miles
Contact:
Santa Fe National Forest, Cuba Ranger District
(575) 289-3264
www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/recreation/districts/cuba/camping/riodelasvacas.html
Coal Mine Campground
Forest Service campground at Mt. Taylor, 10 miles from Grants, NM. 15 sites available. No water. Vault toilet.
Fee: $20 per night
Distance from Chaco: 84 miles
Call for reservations:
(877) 444-6777
Cibola National Forest, Mt. Taylor, Ranger District
www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/recreation/rec-mttay.shtml
Lobo Canyon Campground
Forest Service campground at Mt. Taylor, near Grants, NM. 9 sites available. Group site, Vault toilets. 6 Picnic tables.
Fee: None
Distance from Chaco: 84 miles
Contact:
Cibola National Forest, Mt. Taylor Ranger District
(505) 287-8833
www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/recreation/rec-mttay.shtml
Quaking Aspen Campground (Open May 15) in Zuni Mountains
Forest Service campground south of Ft. Wingate, NM. 20 sites available - first come-first served. No water.
Fee: $5 per night
Distance from Chaco: 89 miles
Contact:
Cibola National Forest, Mt. Taylor Ranger District
(505) 287-8833
www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/recreation/rec-mttay.shtml
McGaffey Campground in Zuni Mountains
Forest Service campground south of Ft. Wingate, NM. 29 sites available. No potable water.
Fee: $15 per night for RV hookups (electric only); $10 per night for tent sites
Distance from Chaco: 91 miles
Contact:
Cibola National Forest, Mt. Taylor Ranger District
(505) 287-8833
www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/recreation/rec-mttay.shtml
Ojo Redondo Campground in Zuni Mountains
Forest Service campground south of Thoreau, NM. 15 sites available. Pack in Pack out.
Fee: None
Distance from Chaco: 88 miles
Contact:
Cibola National Forest, Mt. Taylor Ranger District
(505) 287-8833
www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/recreation/rec-mttay.shtml
BluewaterLake State Park
New Mexico state park south of Prewitt, NM. Mostly known for fishing, but has a variety of camping options as well.
Fee: $10 per night for developed sites (plus $4 each for water or electric hookups); $8 per night for primitive sites
Distance from Chaco: 71 miles
Contact:
(505) 876-2391
www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Bluewater.htm
Red Rock Park
East of Gallup, NM. Large campground (630 sites - 121 open year round) equipped with hookups, restrooms, showers, and picnic areas.
Fee: $20 with electric & water, $15 water only, and $10 per night primitive.
Distance from Chaco: 90 miles
Contact:
(505) 722-3839
www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html
Gallup KOA
KOA campground in Gallup, NM with 630 RV sites & 2 dump stations.
Fee: $20 per night with electric and water, $15 water only, and$10 per night primitive.
Distance from Chaco: 100 miles
Contact:
(505) 722-2333
(800) 562-3915
USARV Park
Private campground in Gallup, NM. Tent and RV sites available.
Fee: $25.35 per night with electric; $27.39 per night water & electric; $29.42 per night with water, electric, and sewer, and $21 per night for tents.
Distance from Chaco: 100 miles
Contact:
(505) 863-5021
Reservations@usarvpark.com
www.usarvpark.com/
El Malpais National Monument and National Conservation Area
Wilderness area jointly administered by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Primitive BLM campground on Hwy 117 (exit 89). 11 sites. Vault toilet. No water. Allows primitive backcountry camping.
Fee: None
Distance from Chaco: 97 miles
Contact:
BLM Grants Field Station
(505) 287-7911
El Malpais Information Center
(505) 783-4774
www.nps.gov/elma
www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/rio_puerco/el_malpais.html
