Located 6 miles from the visitor center on the 9-mile Canyon Loop Drive. The trail through Casa Rinconada and the nearby villages is ½ mile long, round trip. It is graveled, and climbs several short, steep rises, so assistance is recommended for people using wheelchairs.
Located 4 1/2 miles from the Visitor Center on the 9-mile Canyon Loop Drive. The trail through Chetro Ketl is ½ mile, roundtrip. It is graveled, and climbs several short, steep rises, so assistance is recommended for people using wheel chairs. Chetro Ketl is the second largest Chacoan great house. It covers more than 3 acres and contains a great kiva and elevated kivas.
Fajada Butte is a unique part of the landscape of Chaco Canyon and can be seen from miles away. The butte rises 135 meters above the canyon floor and is the site of the famous Sun Dagger. It consists of three stone slabs, 2-3 meters tall, against a cliff face with two carved spiral petroglyphs. Visitors can observe Fajada Butte from an overlook accessed from the park road.
Located 2 miles from the visitor on the 9-mile loop drive. Hungo Pavi is an unexcavated Chacoan great house (monumental public building) containing over 150 rooms, a great kiva, and an enclosed plaza. It is a good example of what Chacoan sites look like without excavations--covered with a protective blanket of wind-blown sand and native vegetation. Travel in small groups to lessen our impacts to this fragile site.
Located 4 1/2 miles from the Visitor Center on the 9-mile Canyon Loop Drive. This is the most important site in the canyon and a must for all visitors. The trail through Pueblo Bonito is 0.6 mile, roundtrip. It is graveled, and climbs several short, steep rises.
Located 5 1/2 miles from the Visitor Center on the 9-mile Canyon Loop Drive. The trail through Pueblo del Arroyo is 1/4 mile, roundtrip. It is graveled, and climbs several short, steep rises. Assistance is recommended for persons using wheelchairs.
Una Vida is one of Chaco's earliest great houses built around 850 CE (Common Era). Una Vida exists today in a near-natural state of preservation, free from major vandalism, and with only minor excavations and preservation repairs. A one-mile roundtrip (including petroglyphs) trail begins at the NE corner of the Visitor Center parking lot. Portions are rocky, steep, and slippery when wet. Take water and travel in small groups to lessen our impacts to this fragile site.
