Gallo Campground, located within Chaco Canyon, is a unique site that combines history with peace and quiet, as well as spectacular night skies. It’s an off-the-beaten-path campground, tucked into the high desert of northern New Mexico that’s enthralled explorers for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Surrounded by dramatic cliffs filled with petroglyphs, ancient cliff dwellings, and early inscriptions, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to another world entirely. The best part: once night falls, you’ll be able to see more stars than you may have ever imagined. That’s because Cacho Canyon is a certified Dark Sky Park—and thus one of the best destinations for stargazing in the Southwest.
Your Invitation to Rugged Solitude
Set against the towering sandstone cliffs, Gallo Campground feels wild and untamed. Yet there are echoes of our human past all around. A short walk from camp will lead you to petroglyphs carved into the sandstone, where you can see animal, figure, and spiral shapes that are bound to spark wonder. You can also spot names and dates left by settlers hundreds of years later, layering the walls through human history.
Look above to spot an ancient cliff dwelling tucked high into the canyon wall. A powerful reminder that the Ancestral Puebloan people once thrived in this desert landscape.
The surrounding high desert landscape is no less stunning. Shifting sunlight as the day progresses transforms the colors from deep reds to golden oranges.
For those more interested in the living world, prickly pear and sagebrush dot the land as ravens and other birds soar above in the open sky.
Altogether, the stark, rugged beauty of the area invites you to slow down to take it all in.
How to Fully Embrace Chaco Canyon
Many visitors suggest that days at Gallo Campground unfold at their own pace as you explore the canyon’s ancient treasures and current vistas. The vast silence of the desert invites you to walk among the ancient pathways.
Get ready to put on your hiking shoes and explore. Within the National Park, you’ll find intricate masonry structures and Great Houses believed to have once served as the cultural, ceremonial, and trade hubs to the Ancestral Puebloans. Astonishingly, even the windows align with the movement of the sun and stars.
Speaking of the stars, once the sun sets completely, you can enjoy the canyon’s greatest show of all as the velvet darkness of the sky takes over. Chaco offers unrivaled stargazing, which is why it’s even certified as an International Dark Sky Park. On crystal clear nights, the Milky Way stretches across the sky with constellations sharp enough that you can trace them. If you can, bring your telescope or binoculars for unmatched views. And if you don’t have one, no worries. The sky is dazzling even with the naked eye. No wonder the ancient Chacoans built so many of their structures in alignment with the heavens!
As you marvel at clear views of the Milky Way, take a step inside to mindfully connect with the vastness of the universe. You may even find you gain new perspectives as you let the stresses of the road fade away.
Your Stay at Gallo Campground
If you’re looking for a luxurious glamping experience, free Wi-Fi, or a well-stocked camp store, you may want to keep driving and find your way to another campground. If, on the other hand, you are looking for ways to connect and perhaps discover how little it takes to make you happy, this rustic campground may be just what you’re looking for.
It’s small, yes. The payoffs, though, are big. There are only a handful of RV sites. Smaller RVs or camper vans fit most comfortably into the campsites. (Most of the sites are made for tent campers.)
You won’t find hookups, dump stations, or showers. There are, however, some limited amenities—including picnic tables, fire rings, and flush toilets. We’d suggest that this lack of modern amenities is all part of the charm. It’s a perfect place to settle in and let the desert reset your pace and perspective.
The lucky travelers who find their way here will find a level of quiet and darkness that’s almost impossible to find in the modern world.
When you visit also makes a big difference. If you’re heading out in the summer, be prepared for scorching heat—typically in the mid 80s and 90s F. Unexpected thunderstorms can roll in, bringing localized downpours and sudden and dramatic drops in temperature.
In contrast, as winter sets in, the nights become bitterly cold—well below freezing.
For the best balance of temperature, spring and fall are the times to go. However, while you can expect more moderate temperatures, it’s not unusual for storms to come in and dramatically change the weather. So be sure to monitor local weather forecasts as you roll in.
That said, whatever the season, you won’t be disappointed in the views of the first golden light hitting canyon walls or sitting around the fire watching stars pop into the canopy above one by one until it feels like you can see them all.
Your Packing List: Always Be Prepared
One of the most important things to remember about camping at Gallo Campground is that you won’t find services within the park. So, before you arrive, it’s essential to double-check supplies and ensure you have:
- Extra water and food—bring more than you think you’ll need. Deserts are dry, and the nearest store is not close by.
- Shade and sun protection—midday sun can be relentless. Make sure you have awnings or canopies to provide shade, and wear hats, sunscreen, and protective clothing to prevent burns.
- Warm layers—yes, it can get hot during the day, but even in the summer months, it can get surprisingly cold. Make sure you bring warm layers, extra blankets, and even a four-season sleeping bag, especially if you’ll be stargazing deep into the night.
- Fuel and supplies—before you turn into the campground, make sure you’ve topped off your gas tank. Extra propane is a good idea, too, for cooking and heating your rig.
- First-Aid and navigation—cell service can be spotty or even non-existent. So be prepared with reliable GPS and paper maps. And a fully-stocked first-aid kit is always an essential supply.
Knowing you have everything you need handy, you can relax and fully savor the adventure that awaits.
Getting There and Making the Most of Your Stay
Ready to pack your bags and get on the road to adventure? First, you need to get there. And that’s part of the experience. From U.S. 550 in northwestern New Mexico, turn south onto County Road 7900. Then follow County Road 7950 into Choco Cultural National Historic Park.
Be forewarned: the final stretch into the campground is unpaved, and it can be rough. Check road conditions in advance, and allow extra travel time. The location is remote, which is also why the night skies are so spectacular.
Once you’ve arrived, you can check in at the Visitor Center to get maps, check trail conditions, or perhaps look into ranger programs. That way, you can get oriented before you venture out, especially if you want to explore the ruins.
During the day, you can walk among the Great Houses or trek the trails that connect ancient sites. Once the sun sets, it’s time to look up. Bring a reclining chair, a blanket or some extra layers, and a sense of wonder.
Embracing Gallo Campground
Gallo Campground is neither polished nor posh. And it’s far from convenient. But we contend that’s what makes it so special. Surrounded by silent cliffs, ancient carvings, and views of galaxies overhead, you can slow down and just take it all in—the land, the past, and, of course, a truly expansive night sky that few people will (or even can) experience. 🧡