Directions

A vehicle drives on a wide dirt road through the desert.
CR 7950 approaching Escavada Wash. Road is normally suitable for all passenger vehicles.

Russ Bodnar

Important: Your journey into Chaco Canyon will take you through private tribal lands. Please be respectful of our tribal neighbors and their livestock and leave no trace of your journey on their lands.

Car
Chaco Canyon is located in northwestern New Mexico. The park can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads. Always check current conditions before entering into the park.

Warning: Some of the local roads recommended by map publishers and GPS devices are unsafe for passenger cars, or are private roads. Please use our directions below to avoid getting lost, stuck, or intruding on private property.

From the north, turn off US 550 at CR 7900 - 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Nageezi and approximately 50 miles (80 km) west of Cuba (at mile marker 112.5). This route is clearly signed from US 550 to the park boundary (21 miles). The route includes 8 miles (13 km) of paved road (CR 7900 & CR 7950) and 13 miles (21 km) of rough dirt road (CR 7950). The 4.5 miles (7 km) before entering the park are very rough.

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. These routes are not recommended for RVs. If you are traveling from the south, please call ahead for the latest conditions.

Via Highway 57 (Hwy 14 on some maps): This turnoff is located on Highway 9, 13 miles (21 km) east of Highway 371, at the former Seven Lakes Trading Post. This route is 21 miles (34 km) of dirt road. Note that the signs directing you to turn off of Highway 371 onto Highway 9 are missing.

Via Pueblo Pintado: At the community of Pueblo Pintado, turn north on Navajo 46 for 10 miles (16 km) on a rough dirt road. Turn left on County Road 7900 for 7 miles (11 km) on a road with some rough dirt. Turn left on County Road 7950, and follow the signs 16 miles (26 km) to the park entrance. This will include 3 miles (5 km) of paved and 13 miles (21 km) of rough dirt road.

The northern and southern routes include 13, 21, and 33 miles (or 21 km, 34 km, and 53 km) of dirt roads, respectively. These sections of road are infrequently maintained, and they can become impassable during inclement weather. If you have an RV and are not planning on camping in the park, you may want to leave the RV and drive a car into the park. Call the park (505-786-7014) for current road conditions.

Plane
The nearest airports are Farmington, NM, Gallup, NM, Durango,CO, and Albuquerque, NM.

Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to the park.

 
Photo of Hwy 57 (14)
Hwy 57 (14). Rough road not recommended for RV's.

Russ Bodnar

 
Photo of HWY 57 (14)
Hwy 57 (14) entering park from the south. Road can be rough and rutted. May be impassable.

Russ Bodnar

Last updated: February 5, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 220
Nageezi, NM 87037

Phone:

505 786-7014

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