Early Tour & Full Moon Package
Chimney Rock National Monument Tours
This guided tour is offered in conjunction with the Full Moon Program for a more comprehensive study of Chimney Rock National Monument. It starts late afternoon before the Full Moon Program to merge with that wondrous night sky experience later in the evening. The entire program lasts approximately four hours versus the shorter, three-hour Full Moon Program.
This tour takes the visitor on the 1/3-mile paved Mesa Village Trail, then proceeds up the Great House Trail to join the Full Moon Program. 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. Please keep in mind that the lecture before the moonrise is approximately 30 minutes in length, and the hike back down the high mesa occurs after dark. 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). This program is not suitable for children under 8, and parents are asked to closely supervise their children for the safety of all attendees. Water, flashlights, and a blanket or mat for ground seating (no chairs) are recommended.
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 $30.00. 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. Walk-in tickets, if available, 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. Refunds will be issued only for cancelled - not modified - programs. No refunds will be issued for no-shows.
Dates:
Thursday, May 23:
Check-in: 6:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Tour: 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Friday, June 21:
Check-in: 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tour: 6:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 20:
Check-in: 5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Tour: 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Monday, August 19:
Check-in: 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tour: 6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 18:
Check-in: 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tour: 5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, October 18:
Check-in: 4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tour: 5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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 2 hours prior to start of program.
- Entire Program
For your safety, stay for the entire program.
