Chaco Canyon Adventure (Hotel Version)-- Please read full description.

We’re heading to Chaco Culture National Historical Park to explore one of the most incredible areas in New Mexico. If a long drive there and back plus a good day of hiking sounds like a recipe for months of sciatic pain, and/or you enjoy a shower, good night’s sleep, and coffee before you have a fabulous day, the hotel option is for you!!!
*This is a combined adventure being put together by three Making Strides organizers. David will be organizing the camping portion, Heather will be organizing the hotel stay for those who don’t want to camp, and Fred will be organizing a one-day trip on October 14.
This event listing is specifically for those who want to choose the hotel route.
To join the “hotel goers”:

• GET HOTEL RESERVATIONS at [https://www.choicehotels.com/new-mexico/aztec/comfort-inn-hotels/nm275]
• RSVP to this event AFTER getting hotel reservations
• Please comment if you plan to drive (see star info below), and how many passengers (and their gear) you can accommodate. Remember that you will likely be carrying one proposed shared cooler per car, every passengers’ luggage, and their day hiking gear.
• If you would like to ride with one of our drivers, please comment. *A high-clearance vehicle is a must for this trip. The last roughly 20 miles into Chaco can be rough, and road conditions can vary considerably. Please keep this in mind when deciding whether this trip is right for you and your vehicle. We will plan on carpooling, but need to make sure everyone that plans to ride will have a space.
  Chaco/Aztec Ruins Hotel Stay Itinerary October 13–15, 2026
  October 13th:
  • 4 PM Proposed departure from the Rio Rancho Home Depot 7700 US 550 (we might be able to make accommodations if you are working and cannot depart at this time). Talk to me.
  • @ 5 PM early Dinner Stop at El Bruno’s in Cuba
• @ 6:30 depart Brunos
• @8:15 arrive at Comfort Inn Aztec, NM
  October 14th:
• Eat breakfast on your own
• Depart hotel no later than 8 AM
• October 14 will be our main day for everyone to come together. Campers, Heather’s hotel group, and Fred’s day-trip group will all meet up at Chaco. Fred will be organizing the day-trip portion. One possible plan is to meet at the Visitor Center around 9:45 AM and begin exploring around 10 AM. The day may include Chetro Ketl, the Petroglyph Trail, Pueblo Bonito, and approximately 3 miles of walking and exploring the ruins, followed by a shared lunchtime at the Visitor Center picnic area. *BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH More information about the October 14 itinerary will come once everything is finalized. • Depart Chaco early to mid afternoon and Return to Aztec hotel to clean up • Dinner at Rubia’s Mexican Dining or other location to be determined
  October 15th:
• Eat breakfast on your own
• Check out, load up, and Depart hotel by 9 AM
• Arrive at nearby Aztec Ruins—a wonderful stop with similar (yet unique!!!) archeology as Chaco. Combining the two sites gives you a broader vision of the area’s Pueblo history. Aztec Ruins also has a really nice museum and visitor center that is well worth the visit.
• Depart Aztec Ruins approximately 10:30-11:00 AM
• Arrival back in Rio Rancho will be dependent on your vehicle. Some may choose to bring snacks to eat on way home, others may stop for lunch in Cuba. With a necessary rest stop along the way, I would plan on a 3 hours’ drive without stopping for a longer lunch break (add 1+ hours for that).
• Important: Chaco is remote and there is very little to no shade. Bring lots of water (twice or more what you think you need), sun protection, appropriate clothing and footwear, food, and everything you’ll need to be self-sufficient for two nights. • Water can be refilled overnight from Aztec, so let’s not carry too much heavy water in the car during the entire trip.
• • This RSVP is for hotel only. I will start with 10 people, then assess where hotel reservations and available drivers are at. • Please make hotel reservations immediately BEFORE your rsvp to this event. Sharing a room with your favorite Making Strides friend is up to you. • One person/car will need the America the Beautiful Pass. We will determine this need once we have drivers and passengers identified • It would be highly appropriate to give your driver gas money for this long, arduous, and tough on vehicles driving trip.
• PS: If you wonder why we are staying in Aztec instead of Bloomfield, there are 2 reasons—there is little to nothing to eat in Bloomfield AND the hotel reservations are at least $50/night higher in Bloomfield. Aztec is less than 15 minutes further and a cozy little town.

Three organizers, three different ways to experience Chaco. Pick the one that works for you (the hotel group WILL have the most fun, ha!) and we’ll all come together on the 14th.