Chaco Canyon & Mesa Verde
 

Flying into Albuq April 5, stay at Hampton Inn Farmington 3 nights, spend Sunday and Monday at Chaco. Tue drive to Mesa Verde, three nights at Kelly Place B&B outside Cortez CO. Second day at Mesa Verde, third day hiking at Hovenweep NM. Was looking for a B&B closer to Chaco but did not find any so using rewards at Hampton in Farmington. Any suggestions??

There's nothing close to Chaco, Farmington is your best bet. It's still a long drive from Farmington. Once you leave the highway, a good part of the road is a graded dirt road. Not bad unless it's been raining.

As dgassa said, the road into Chaco is graded and not bad at all, although it is a relatively long drive in from Farmington. We camped at Chaco during our visit so we could maximize our time there. It is an amazing place.

The hike up to Pueblo Alto is great and you get great views of Pueblo Bonito from above. Here is a picture from the hike:

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/50395691

Also some awesome views of the Jackson Staircase - see picture:

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/50396831

You have a fascinating trip planned - have a great time!

To Sharondi
Loved the photos, have you been to Mesa Verde? Would lve to camp but we are going April5-12, Spring Break, think it is a little early. My wife is a teacher and we have been going to the southwest the last few years. NM is truly the land of enchantment.

Thanks kyhiker55. You can see lots more pictures of that trip to Chaco - just open the picture and then click on the image. It'll bring you to the gallery.

We started that trip in Denver, a few nights in Ouray, then to Mesa Verde for 2 nights at the Far View Lodge. It was great - be sure to sign up for the ranger-led walks. From Mesa Verde, we went to Chaco.

The ride in to Mesa Verde is pretty long - staying in the park saves a lot of drive time and the food at the lodge is really good.

It could well be muddy. There is snow up on Mesa Verde now and early April will most likely be about when it starts to get messy here.

I also would suggest staying Tuesday night at Far View, which is right in the park. As previously mentioned, the drive into the park takes a good 45 minutes from the main road. Add to that another 10 minutes to Cortez. That is a long distance to do Tuesday night and then again on Wednesday morning.

FYI -- Hovenweep is on the border between Colorado and Utah, not NM.

Not to try and sway you from your itinerary, you are going to be seeing a lot of the same type of sites. Have you considered seeing some other areas of SW Colorado instead of seeing so many ancient puebloan ruins? Theres lots to do here that might add some variety to your trip. Just my 2 cents worth.

I live in SW Colorado, so if I can help, please ask away. Restaurants etc...
Deb

DebitNM, I woould appreciate your 2 cents on our trip to Santa Fe, Mesa Verde, Durando, and Arches Np in June. Any must sees or accomodation rec: considering I will be travelling with my wife and 2 teenage boys would be great? Thank you Sabbin

I am headed out, but if you click on my name, lots of posts about Durango, Mesa Verde and Santa Fe should come up.

Will check back later.

There is a motel in Bloomfield I think it's a super 8 but am not sure. It's basic but was clean the last time we were there and is about a half hour from the turn into Chaco in Nageezi. Check with www.nps.gov and click on Colorado to see if Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde is open when you go. Several years ago we stayed there in late April and it was the first week it had been open that season, it is basic but very convenient since the ride up to MV does take a while.