Campsite #17 at Gallo Campground, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM

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Campsite #17

17 reviews
Drive-In 6 people
30 ft Back-In
2 fair
17
5/18
6/12
Campsite #17 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 30ft driveway, Fire ring, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (17)

4.0 out of 5

5 star
71%
4 star
24%
3 star
0%
2 star
6%
1 star
0%

@WillisHEEF936A · Camped on Apr 29, 2025 at Campsite #17
We had a wonderful visit to to Chaco and stayed at the Gallo campground. We spent 5 days there and did a lot of hikes and learned about the ancient Puebloan communities that were there over a thousand years ago.
@TimothyH300936 · Camped on Dec 20, 2024 at Campsite #17
Very clean and orderly, as you would expect from a federal site. The big, nice surprise was running water / meaning flusher toilets. We expected cold stinky toilets, but we had heated flushing toilets. Wonderful! There are no power connections / shore power for campers. Bring everything you need, don't assume.
@MariaK4767948 · Camped on Oct 22, 2024 at Campsite #17
The campground was nicely set up for some things, but for privacy and quiet it was a bit less great. We wanted to get to sleep early because the next day would be long, but people in the nearby space were loud long after dark, during the night, and in the morning. Not sure how that could be solved. Also, the timer on the bathroom light could be set a little longer. If you are not finished in the stall and the light goes out, it is very dark - bring a headlamp.
@RandFEF25D6BEF · Camped on Sep 6, 2024 at Campsite #17
We left Farmington for Chaco on 9/6. Please get a paper map because GPS is not reliable. Yes, it will show a route but it may be over roads "as the crow flies" instead of a logical path. Luckily, I had a Garmin Mapshare device and could see where we wanted to go. The route was too far north and we crossed a lot of reservation land on some nice roads and one about a mile long that was better left to a tractor, with no need.The weather was mild. Glad we got a tent because the slight breeze was too much for our lightweight sleeping bags. When it got dark the milky way was fabulous. However, the real surprise was at 3am when we went to the bathroom. The sky literally came down to the edges of the canyon. It seemed you could just reach out and touch the stars. They were huge and bright in the pure darkness. We will go back again but next time I want a bed and a floor for comfort.
@JeffC9633298 · Camped on Mar 20, 2024 at Campsite #17
Chaco was a great experience. It was clean and quiet.
@RichardB341941 · Camped on Nov 9, 2023 at Campsite #17
The Gallo campground was very nice. We arrived late and someone had a RV parked in our campsite. He conveniently felt that he had paid for a site and so chose ours because we hadn't arrived until later. He refused to leave. We ended up making the best of it and set up next to him. Perhaps the park could patrol this site and prevent this? Anyway, Chaco was stunning in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. Highly recommended.
@CarolM9915509 · Camped on Oct 15, 2023 at Campsite #17
The Gallo campground was very clean and refreshing. I am concerned that the nearby fracking for oil may be creating minor tremors, weakening the cliffs and causing collapses over the campsites. The attendants were very helpful explaining expectations. Thank you for a fine place to be at Chaco.
@NancyR3491744 · Camped on Aug 21, 2023 at Campsite #17
Bathrooms were very clean and well-maintained. Campground was very quiet, and water was available. I was in a pickup with a camper shell, and getting into and out of my site was easy. It is the desert so there are no real trees in the campground, just shrubs, but it is in a pretty spot set up against the cliffs. Has great views too. I did not interact with the CG hosts, but both were there, on-site, the whole time. A great place to stay overnight or for a couple of nights when hiking Chaco. Will definitely return.
@PenelopeD8F2C3 · Camped on Jul 22, 2023 at Campsite #17
Awesome place to visit. Used both roads in and out of the park as predicted. Prepare to drive "rat patrol." Glad there was limited traffic and no mud. Quite visiting the ruins, but campground neighbors were noisy until 1 AM.
@LynneLCF75754D · Camped on Jul 10, 2023 at Campsite #17
What a beautiful campground. The facilities were immaculate and everyone at the information center were very helpful. I will be coming back!
@JohnW4841416 · Camped on May 8, 2023 at Campsite #17
The only reason to stay at this campground is it’s proximity to the Chaco Canyon ruins, which are excellent. IMO the campground itself has no redeeming qualities other than a bathroom.
@KevinS196 · Camped on Nov 17, 2021 at Campsite #17
Well kept campground, heated bathrooms, close to all trails, close to visitor center. Inexpensive, decent sized site. And, the only spot to camp in the area.
@JaneD234 · Camped on Oct 28, 2021 at Campsite #17
Highly recommend Gallo Campground to anyone who loves the desert, great outdoors, and a peek into the People's culture. Heed the warnings about the roads washing out - don't come if you're not prepared (water, food, good tires, etc.). High clearance vehicles highly recommended. Chaco is a magical place and we were pleased our fellow campers treated it a such; everyone seemed very respectful of both the surroundings and each other. Sites are well spaced. Campground and restrooms were clean and well stocked. People seemed to clean up after their pets. The night sky alone was worth the trip and then you get to venture into the past with all the archeological sites throughout the area. Absolutely mind boggling.
@JANETS911 · Camped on Oct 12, 2021 at Campsite #17
Extremely clean, nice to see the host there, restrooms were immaculate, quiet rules obviously being observed at night. Thanks!
@SallyP459 · Camped on Oct 8, 2021 at Campsite #17
Even though the campground was full, as probably it usually is, the host was very welcoming. The facilities were also clean and well-kept. Excellent work, National Park Employees!
@SheilaW128 · Camped on Oct 2, 2021 at Campsite #17
Great Campground, clean bathrooms, quiet at night. I really appreciated the Covid Mask Protocols especially when using the camp grounds bathrooms.
@ADIELS305 · Camped on Aug 20, 2021 at Campsite #17
The historical sites that you can see and walkthrough are something rarely seen in the US. The staff at the visitor center was great, and the campground bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve seen at any campgrounds. The view at night was amazing even on a full moon, and the place was nice and quite. There were some hikes to go on, but there isn’t a lot of cover. The one downside I felt that could be addressed is how rough the road to the site was. I wish someone would address it. Would totally visit again.

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