Flute Music at Twilight
Chimney Rock National Monument Tours
This program is offered once a month on Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during quiet off-hours of the Monument. A 2.5 mile drive from the Visitor Center leads to the upper parking lot where this Native American musical program takes place. Prior to the event, visitors will take a 1/3-mile guided walk along the paved loop through a Mesa Village. The tour provides excellent views of several excavated structures along with discussion of the various aspects of their uses.
Upon returning to the parking area, as dusk progresses and stars begin to appear, visitors will be treated to the haunting melodies of a flute played by our own Charles Martinez. Charles, a Native American, makes his flutes and composes his music. This affords a wonderful opportunity to 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. There is a limited amount of seating on wooden and stone benches; so folding chairs are suggested along with flashlights and warm clothing suitable for cool nights. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
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 locked at the end of that time. Please note that the tour will begin promptly at the end of the check-in period, so it will not be possible to accommodate late arrivals. The fee is $20.00 for ages 13 and up, $10.00 for ages 5-12, and under 5 are free, and is considered a non-refundable and non-transferable donation. 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.
This program is rarely at full capacity prior to the event, and we will accommodate walk-ins 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. In such a case, walk-ins will not be possible. Refunds will be issued only for cancelled – not modified – tours/programs. No refunds will be issued for no-shows.
Dates:
May 24
June 21
July 19
August 23
September 27
Check-in: 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Program: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Capacity: 30
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- Safety
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 Appropriately
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.
- Gate is open only for check-in
No late arrivals. The gate will be locked at the end of check-in time.
- Restrooms
Pit-style restrooms are available at the Visitor Center, the picnic area, and the upper parking lot.
- Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere in the National Monument.
- Pets
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.
- Trash
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
Reservations will be cut off 12 hours prior to start of program.
- Entire Program
For your safety, stay for the entire program.
