A Day in the Life of the Ancient Ones Tour
Chimney Rock National Monument Tours
A Day in the Life of the Ancient Ones Tour is offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Designed specifically for families with children and those unable to navigate the Great House Trail, this guided tour takes place along the Mesa Village Trail — an easy ¼ mile stroll along a mostly level, paved path. Along the way, visitors will visit a traditional agricultural home - Pit house; a community gathering site - Great Kiva; along with other unexcavated structures in this Ancient Puebloan agrarian village. Highlights of the tour will be a discussion of the plants and animals the Puebloans gathered and hunted, what crops they farmed, and how they utilized them in their daily lives over 1,000 years ago. You will have the opportunity to hold ancient pottery, touch the seeds they planted, and experience the amazing strength of their yucca fiber ropes. You will also learn how these small villages interacted with Chaco Canyon, the epicenter of the Chacoan culture. This tour is rated Easy and suitable for visitors of all ages and physical abilities.
Check-in is at the Gift Shop from 9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. The fee is $20.00 for ages 13 and up and $10.00 for ages 5-12 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. 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 at the Gift Shop. Note: if no one has signed up for the tour by online reservation within the allotted time frame, the tour will not run. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. Refunds will be issued only for cancelled – not modified – tours/programs.
The USFS Activity Pass fee must be paid (or applicable federal pass used) since this program occurs during the Monument’s regular daily opening hours.
Dates:
Tuesdays:
May 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13
Check-in: 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Tour: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Capacity: 20
Wednesdays:
May 20, 27
June 3, 10, 17, 24
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
August 5, 12, 19, 26
September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14
Check-in: 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Tour: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Capacity: 20
Thursdays:
May 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6, 13, 20, 27
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15
Check-in: 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Tour: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Capacity: 20
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.
- 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.
- Duration of Program
For your safety, stay for the entire program.
