Sunrise at Chimney Rock Tour
Chimney Rock National Monument Tours
This special Sunrise at Chimney Rock, recently designated an International Dark Sky Park, is offered on Monday mornings at the times shown below. Please note that times will differ throughout the season. This engaging two-hour tour will start by watching the sun rise, with a 360-degree panoramic view, from the top of the mesa. Following sunrise, the tour will begin with 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! The tour then takes visitors along both the Great House Trail and the Mesa Village Trail to learn specifics about the structures along the way – their significance and uses. Several topics will be emphasized and 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 also 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.
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 will be in the dark and may be difficult for some due to the steep gradient, uneven footing, and elevation ending at 7,600 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). Bring a good flashlight or headlamp and dress appropriately for cool mornings.
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:
Monday mornings:
Check-in time: Sunrise time:
June 1 5:15 am – 5:30 am 6:09 am
June 8 5:15 am – 5:30 am 6:07 am
June 15 5:15 am – 5:30 am 6:07 am
June 29 5:15 am – 5:30 am 6:10 am
July 6 5:15 am – 5:30 am 6:13 am
July 13 5:15 am – 5:30 am 6:18 am
July 20 5:30 am – 5:45 am 6:23 am
July 27 5:30 am – 5:45 am 6:28 am
August 3 5:45 am – 6:00 am 6:34 am
August 10 5:45 am – 6:00 am 6:40 am
August 17 6:00 am – 6:15 am 6:47 am
August 24 6:00 am – 6:15 am 6:52 am
August 31 6:00 am – 6:15 am 6:57 am
September 7 6:15 am – 6:30 am 7:03 am
September 14 6:15 am – 6:30 am 7:09 am
September 21 6:30 am – 6:45 am 7:15 am
September 28 6:30 am – 6:45 am 7:21 am
October 5 6:30 am – 6:45 am 7:27 am
October 12 6:45 am – 7:00 am 7:33 am
Capacity: 25
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 the start of the program.
- Entire Program
For your safety, stay for the entire program.
