Mysteries of Chimney Rock Tour

Chimney Rock National Monument Tours

The Mysteries of Chimney Rock Tour is offered on Monday and Friday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., and on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. This engaging two-hour tour will spotlight several topics aimed specifically at interpreting the history and significance of Chimney Rock and the ancestral Puebloans who inhabited the area over 1,000 years ago. The tour delves into the connection of Chimney Rock to the greater Chaco Culture, the significance of the mesa top Great House Pueblo, and the day-to-day lives of the inhabitants of Chimney Rock. 

The tour takes visitors along both the Mesa Village Trail and the Great House Trail to learn specifics about the structures along the way – their significance and uses. At the end of the trail, visitors will enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from atop the mesa ridge. They will also be afforded the closest view possible of the two pinnacles: Chimney Rock and Companion Rock. Peregrine falcons are often sighted on the left side of Companion Rock, so cameras are a must! Of special note, the tour will be conducted in the quiet off-hours of the Monument. The hike up to the Chacoan Great House Pueblo may be difficult for some due to the steep gradient, uneven footing, and elevation ending at 7600 feet. The elevation gain is 200 feet. Participants should be in reasonable physical condition and willing to hike mostly uphill for 1/3 mile (and return steeply downhill). 

Check-in is at the Highway 151 entrance gate at the time stated below for each tour. Please adhere to the check-in timeline. The gate will be promptly locked at the end of that time. Tickets are $20.00 for ages 13 and up, $10.00 for ages 5-12, and under 5 are free. Making a reservation through the Recreation.gov website or the call center (877-444-6777) is the only way to guarantee a spot for this tour. Recreation.gov charges a $1.00 reservation fee that is non-refundable. To ensure this tour is scheduled, reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations will be cut off 12 hours prior to the start of the tour. Most tours are at full capacity prior to the event, but walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. They will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, and must arrive during the specified check-in time frame. Tour tickets can be purchased directly from the guide with cash only. Note: if no one has signed up for the tour by online reservation within the allotted time frame, the tour will not run. Refunds will be issued only for cancelled - not modified - programs. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. 

Dates:

Monday and Friday mornings:

May 17, 20, 24, 27, 31

June 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28

July 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29

August 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 

September 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30

October 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21 

Check-in: 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Tour: 8:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. 

Capacity: 25 

Wednesdays late afternoons:  

May 22, 29

June 5, 12, 19, 26

July 10, 17, 24

August 7, 14, 21

September 4, 11, 25

October 2, 9, 16 

Check in 4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Tour: 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.   

 

Capacity: 25

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