Chaco's Gallo Campground Closes for Repairs

 

Above: Zuni dancers at Pueblo Bonito, Solstice 2007

Below: Solstice sunrise at Casa Rinconada, June 2008

 

Above: Summer camping in Gallo Campground, Chaco Canyon

If you are heading to Chaco for summer solstice, you’ll need to make alternate camping plans. The Gallo campground closes beginning June 15 for about 3 weeks (or more) for repairs to the septic system.

Why now, you ask? Solstice is when many of us head to Chaco for our Chaco fix, and many newbies discover the park. The campground is always full.

I agree - solstice seems a crazy time to do this - but who knows what factors are at play here. It has needed to be fixed for about a year and a half, and the campground has been at less than capacity all that time.

So I’ve included a link to download a pdf of some alternatives for camping, as provided on the park web site - the same ones listed (more or less) for anytime when the campground is full.

Here are the camping options near Chaco Canyon.

You’ll be driving further once you leave the park to cook dinner and get some sleep. And it will take more planning, since you can’t just quickly head back to your campsite to grab some lunch or some forgotten gear. And then there are the 10 to 20 miles of dirt road to drive, whether you come in from the south or the north.

Think of it as an added bonus for your Chaco adventure. You know Chaco is always an adventure, don’t you?

Comments

[chaco]

Did you use Chaco sandals too? Kidding. Nice post and pictures! Hope to read more from you.