Chimney Rock National Monument Tours
This program is offered on select Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during quiet off-hours of the Monument. It begins from the amphitheater with a relaxing 1/4-mile walk up the nature trail, providing visitors with an experience of the natural environment along with beautiful views of the two pinnacles. Upon returning to the amphitheater, the program resumes with an informative lecture on topics specific to Chimney Rock such as the Ancestral Puebloan culture, archeoastronomy theories, the Major Lunar Standstill, geology, etc.
As dusk progresses and stars begin to appear, you will be treated to the haunting melodies of a native American flute played by our own Charles Martinez. Visitors will gaze in wonder at the heavenly skies and ponder what significance they had for the Ancestral Puebloans when they looked up at the same night skies 1,000 years ago. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Check-in is at the Highway 151 entrance gate at the time stated below. 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 program. 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 programs. Most programs 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. Tickets can be purchased directly from the gift shop. Note: if no one has signed up for the tour by online reservation within the allotted time frame, the program will not run. Refunds will be issued only for cancelled - not modified - programs. No refunds will be issued for no-shows.
Dates:
May 18
June 15
July 13
August 17
September 14
October 12
Check-in: 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Program: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Capacity: 100
Select a date to see a list of times
You are responsible for the safety of yourself and your family. This is a high desert location. Proper hydration and sun protection are vital to your comfort and safety. Bring plenty of water. Bottled water is available for sale at the Gift Shop. There is no other potable water on site.
Dress for outdoor weather: cool or hot temperatures, wind, insects, etc. should be considered. There is no shade on the trails. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Sunblock and a hat are recommended. A walking stick is advisable for those who feel more comfortable hiking with one.
No late arrivals. The gate will be locked at the end of check-in time.
Pit-style restrooms are available at the Visitor Center, the picnic area, and the upper parking lot.
Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere in the National Monument.
Pets (other than service animals) are not permitted on the trails. There are 3 kennels available at the cabin area. It is not safe to leave pets in vehicles or tied to vehicles. Parking areas do not provide shade.
Make sure to use the trash receptacles at the Visitor Center, the picnic area, and/or the upper parking lot. Rodents are attracted to food scraps and can damage archaeological sites. Food scraps are also not healthy for the animals who live at the Monument.
Reservations will be cut off 12 hours prior to start of program.
For your safety, stay for the entire program.