yourpcgeek49 Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 We are wanting to visit the Chaco Culture National Historical Park (Chaco Canyon, etc.) We have a 38 ft. 5th wheel & the Gallo Campground shows a 35 ft. limit. Does anyone have experience camping in the Gallo Campground? Is the length restriction enforced? Do the sites have physical restrictions that would limit a slightly larger trailer? I know that the road in is a dirt road, but is it "too bad" to take the trailer in? If we don't stay at Gallo, does anyone know anyplace less than two hours away to camp? We have solar & are capable of dry camping for a week or two, so hookups aren't an issue for us. Any experience and insight would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfrank Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 We drove our motorhome into Chaco Canyon 10 - 12 years ago. The road in is (or was) a washboard that really shook up the coach. I would not drive my current coach in there at all. You can probably find a site that you will fit in, if you get the 5er in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I have never heard of any public park enforcing any length restrictions. The reason for them is that it may be difficult to get an RV of greater length into the campsites there, or it could be that no sites are longer than the listing and you are required to be fully into the camp site. It is also pretty common for length restrictions to be there because of very tight turns and obstructions along the roadsides. I have not been to that particular location with our RV, but highly doubt that anyone will measure your RV, but you may want to call before you go just to see what the reason for the length limit is. It can ruin your day if you get your RV hung up on a rock or tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rif Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 The condition of the road varies from day to day and week to week. Once you leave county maintenance it can be very problematic, especially if there has been recent rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I have never heard of any public park enforcing any length restrictions. Organ Pipe Cactus Nat'l Monument used to have you drive between two white lines and if you were just a tad over, they wouldn't let you in - even if a bike rack extended. Don't know if they still do that. We fit with our 33' 5th wheel and once in, there were plenty of sites for longer rigs. OP: Before going on your trip, you should probably call the park to see how strict they are and keep looking at their web site for any road condition updates. Here are photos of the campsites: http://www.campsitephotos.com/campground/Gallo/photos/Chaco-Culture-National-Historic-Park-Gallo-Campground-047 http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velos Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 A couple of these reviews http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/new-mexico/nageezi/chaco-culture-national-historic-park-gallo-campground mentioned the rough road. According to this website http://www.nps.gov/chcu/planyourvisit/camping.htm they now take reservations. Maybe they could also clarify the length restrictions and suggest another place close by that you could fit, especially since you have solar and don't need hookups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeyres Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 When we went in the road was absolutely horrendous. I was very thankful that we didn't take our fiver. Grading is evidently very iffy. I'd sure call the day before and see what it is like. Even their website mentions how bad the road can be. We stayed in Farmington, which was a couple hour drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 About 40 miles on the main hwy from the turnoff is Bloomfield an there are some commerical camps there and further towards Farmington there are more. There is one at the horse track/casino between Bloomfield and Farmington. But I seem to recall on along the river just as I was coming into Bloomfield. Given the distance from there and the time it would take into the park I would guess about 2 hours with just the truck. Mainly due to the slow speed on the gravel part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 Camping options listed on the Park Service website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinbob Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I have been to Chaco many times and have driven it at 5 miles an hour and also at 40 miles an hour. Call and ask them about the grading schedule ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 Organ Pipe Cactus Nat'l Monument used to have you drive between two white lines and if you were just a tad over, they wouldn't let you in - even if a bike rack extended. Don't know if they still do that. We fit with our 33' 5th wheel and once in, there were plenty of sites for longer rigs. OP: Before going on your trip, you should probably call the park to see how strict they are and keep looking at their web site for any road condition updates. Here are photos of the campsites: http://www.campsitephotos.com/campground/Gallo/photos/Chaco-Culture-National-Historic-Park-Gallo-Campground-047 http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm We were there about 4 years ago and don't recall this happening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 Use Google Earth or Google maps (with the satellite view) and take a look at the campground. GPS 36° 2'14.00"N 107°53'22.85"W There is plenty of space in several of the campsites for a 40' rig. Make reservations for one of the longer sites. About the road, just take it slow on the dirt part. It might take you an hour or more if it is rough. You are not planning on driving in, spending a day or two and leaving, so taking an hour or two to get from the main highway to the CG should not be an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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