New Mexico: does anyone know if Chaco Canyon is closed?
 

We've been planning for years to see Chaco Canyon! Does anyone know for sure its status right now? We'd be there Monday (10/7) if its not a victim of this political temper tantrum!

Go to the Park Service site for Chaco Canyon and this is what you get:

"Because of the federal government shutdown, all national parks are closed and National Park Service webpages are not operating. For more information, go to www.doi.gov."

www.nps.gov/chcu/‎

While Chaco is closed there are many State areas that are in full swing and worth checking out:

drive up into the Jemez mountains and see Jemez State Historic Park, then maybe hot springs

Santa Clara Pueblo to see Puye Cliff dwellings and the shops/studios of artisans at the Pueblo

state parks http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/

Acoma Sky City pueblo
Taos Pueblo

MME: I checked the NPS website which is just the blanket statement you quoted. I'm wondering if there's a gate at Chaco that's now locked or if it's just unstaffed but accessible?
Thanks Debit, I'm looking at those sites now, and also considering a night in ALB instead to see the balloon fest.

I think "closed" means closed. You could always test it and see what happens.

It's a long, dusty drive to see a locked gate.

They are really "closing" places by blocking access.

And they are SHOOTING trespassers!!!

Also, NAvajo parks are open:

http://navajonationparks.org/index.htm

If you are in the area Salmon Ruin is a short way west of Bloomfield, on the road to Farmington and it is a county park so would be open. There is a nice small museum there in addition to the ruins.

I would imagine (but not positive) there will be at least one ranger on duty at Chaco that will boot you out when they see you.

Utahtea

Recording at the Chaco Canyon phone number says it is closed and all employees are furloughed. 505-786-7014

I was also going to suggest Salmon Ruins in Bloomfield if you are in the area. Not as spectacular as Chaco Canyon but very interesting. I thought the museum had better information than Chaco Canyon.

Acoma pueblo is spectacular and not far from Albuquerque.

AbbyAdams, I'm wondering if you decided to try and get into Chaco and if you went, were you able to get in?

Utahtea

Based on info posted here and questions we asked in Alb we decided not to try it. We're now in Taos and someone yesterday told us Chaco iis closed. On the way up here every location with the word National in it is closed: parks, forests, preserves, etc. of course there's no way to close trails but roads to trails may be closed and all visitor's centers we've seen so far are closed.

Abby if you want to see ruins, about an hour south is Puye Cliff, a native American site that does tours and would probably be open.