Chaco's Camping will be Extremely Limited in 2008

Date: February 14, 2008
Contact: Visitor Center, [phone] ext. 221
Contact: Ramona Begay, [phone] ext. 233

Camping at Chaco Culture National Historical Park will be severely limited until further notice. The Gallo Campground septic system needs to be replaced, and the park is working on emergency repairs. Until the repairs are completed, the park has suspended all group camping and reduced the number of regular camp sites from 49 to 35. Groups visiting Chaco will need to make alternative arrangements for camping, and regular campers are encouraged to have other camping options in the event the campground is full. The park regrets this inconvenience. The nearest camping options in the park's immediate area include:

Ruby Ranch: A working cattle ranch 16 miles south of the park on Hwy 57 (rough dirt road) invites individuals and groups to camp at 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 [phone] for further details.

Blanco Trading 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 [phone].

Lybrook Mercantile: A working trading post located at Mile Marker 104 on US Hwy 550, 34 miles from Chaco (on the way to Cuba and Albuquerque). Trader John Lee invites individuals and groups to camp adjacent to the trading post. Tent camping is $10.00 per night. There are 6 RV sites with hook-ups at $29.95 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 9:00pm. Water is available. Call [phone] for more info.

Angel Peak Scenic Area: A Scenic Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management is located 39 miles north of Chaco, off US 550 on CR 7175. Look for a turnoff just south of Mile Marker 137. A dirt road leads 6 miles to the primitive campground. Angel Peak Campground has nine sites available for tent camping; each with picnic tables on a concrete underfoot, gravel pathways, and fire grates. Picnic shelters are located at three campsites, two with shade 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 winds among the plants that have found a niche along the desolate rim and leads to an overlook of the canyon where a bench is provided for relaxing and enjoying the view. No electrical hook-ups or water are available. Contact BLM Farmington Field Office at [phone]. 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, and Farmington. National Park Service campgrounds are also located at other regional sites such as Mesa Verde National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, El Malpais and El Moro National Monuments, and Bandelier National Park. Additionally, there are numerous public campgrounds in the region managed by the US Forest Service, Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation, and New Mexico State Parks.

Superintendent Barbara West thanks visitors for understanding our situation and helping the park by looking for alternative camping possibilities until this emergency is appropriately dealt with.