Chaco Culture National Historical Park

The Chaco people began to build in this canyon in the mid-800s. They continued building their multi-story stone buildings (called great houses) over the next 300 years. By the late 1100s, the Chacoans shifted their focus to other regional centers, like Aztec Ruins and Mesa Verde, and abandoned the canyon. This National Historic Park is 21 miles west of US550 of which 14 miles are gravel deteriorating to dirt road with one low water river crossing.  

Once we reached the National Park, the nine-mile loop was paved.

Fajada Butte

This distinctive 393-foot butte marks the entrance into Chaco Canyon.

Fajada Butte was sacred to the Chaco Culture. On the top remains astrological symbols used to determine the summer solstice.

This UNESCO World Heritage site hosts a very modern Visitor Center and Museum.

Hungo Pavi 1000-1250

This is the first Chaco Great House you encounter along the tour loop road.

We walked the path around most of the ruins.

Pueblo Bonito 850-1250

Pueblo Bonito is the largest and best-known great house in Chaco Canyon with over 600 rooms.

The scientists estimate the population of this great house varied between 800 and several thousand.

The Pueblo Bonito Great House covered three acres.

The pueblo walls were three feet thick.

Pueblo Bonito had a total of 26 Kivas, this is the Great Kiva.

The dwellings could be accurately dated by boring into the wood beams.

This corner window is very unique and not seen in many structures.

The tallest rooms were up to five stories high.

Rooms were connected by a series of interior doorways, some of them in a T-shape.

Part of the great house was destroyed in 1941 when the cliff above collapsed.

Chetro Ketl 950-1250

This is the Great Kiva of the Chetro Ketl Great House.

This smaller Great House was only a couple hundred yards from Pueblo Bonito.

Great care and artistic talent are reflected in the masonry walls of the Chacoan builders.

Rinconada 1075-1250

This massive kiva could be used to assemble the entire community. A roof existed on all the kivas and the Chacoans accessed them via a ladder through the top.

Chacoan Stairway

This stairway at the top of a cliff is part of the Chacoan road system. The 400-mile rock road system was up to 30 feet wide. The Chaco culture preferred straight roads and went through obstacles rather than around them.