Chaco Canyon & Bisti Badlands (Albuquerque, Farmington: campground, cars, areas)

[Zoidberg]

Am considering a visit to both areas from Albuquerque.

Am also a bit leery of the dirt roads involved. It appears that the recommended approach to Chaco Culture NHP is from the NE, but there's no easy way of getting from there to the Bisti Badlands (about halfway between Crownpoint and Farmington on 371) without taking the dirt road 57 or going hours around.

Here's my map and basis.

Anyone been south of Chaco Culture NHP lately, with an idea of what kind of road it is? Have an old SUV that I trust on pavement just fine, but washed out roads don't sound like as much fun. May just be ultraconservative.

Likewise, any recommended lunch spots or recommended days of the week to go or not go?

Thanks in advance!

[aries63]

The CHaco Culture website offers the following number for info about road conditions: 505-786-7014.

I've been in and out on the main road from the north into Chaco in compact cars without any problem. Also the road to the south but that was a few years ago. I still haven't been inside Bisti so can't advise on that.

As far as when to go to Chaco, the only advice I have is be sure it's not during some New Age festival. We made the mistake of going there during some planetary alignment we didn't know about and every square inch of the campground was occupied! Had to camp in a spooky location off the south highway.

It is weirdly beautiful and fascinating... have fun!

[GregW]

Astronomical alignment and spooky campsite sound like my kind of fun. Let us know what happens. If our "mud season" is any example the important things for mud driving are All or 4 wheeel drive, good open mud/snow tires and ground cleareance.