Gallo Campground

Gallo Campground is located within Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Tucked among the fallen boulders and cliffs of Gallo Wash, the campground offers camping in a rugged environment, surrounded by petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, inscriptions and a high desert landscape. The area is remote with no services, so be prepared with plenty of food, water, shade, sunscreen and cold weather necessities. Two roads access the park. From the north, Road 7900 turns off of US Hwy 550/44 three miles east of Nageezi and fifty miles west of Cuba; continue on Road 7900 for five paved miles, then turn right onto Road 7950, where the pavement continues for several miles. The rest of the thirteen miles are unpaved. From the south, turn north onto NM Rt. 57 for twenty miles of rough unpaved road. When the unpaved roads are wet from rain or snow they can be difficult to traverse, and vehicles can become stuck in thick mud or slide off the slippery road. There is no phone service, and it is sometimes difficult to get tow service along these roads. The visitor center is one mile from the campground and offers a staffed information desk, brief introductory information, a 25-minute introductory video and a bookstore with many selections of educational materials, books and gift items. From there, one can drive the canyon loop road, where six front country trails and backcountry hiking trails lead to ancient cultural sites. Gallo Campground has 32 individual campsites, one of which is designated as handicapped accessible. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire grate. Five campsites are RV only and the remaining 27 allow either tent, small RV or travel trailer. Two group campsites accommodate groups of 10 to 30 people, tent camping only, each with picnic tables and a fire grate. The campground has a restroom facility with flushable toilets. There are no showers, hookups, convenience store or food services, and there is no cell phone service. A fire may be ignited and maintained only with fuel sources designed and commonly used for warmth or the preparation of food, such as charcoal briquettes or natural firewood. Gallo Campground is located in a lowland desert surrounded by canyon walls, arroyos and wash, with plenty of southwestern desert plants and brushes, but no trees. The park is isolated from towns and cities; within a two to three hour drive are Aztec Ruins, Salmon Ruins, Mesa Verde National Park, El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Four Corners Monument, and the Navajo Nation Headquarters and Museum in Window Rock, Arizona.