Winter Solstice Observation

Winter Solstice Observation

Saturday Dec 21 2024

All day

Chaco and Aztec Ruins
On Saturday, December 21, 2024 the public is invited to observe the winter solstice alignment at Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Aztec Ruins National Monument.

Event Information

Chaco and Aztec Ruins
1808 CR-7950, Nageezi, NM and 725 Ruins Road Aztec, NM
Aztec Ruins National Monument
Visit Website
Free
505-334-6174

Chaco and Aztec Ruins Winter Solstice Event

The winter solstice sunrise observation at Chaco will take place at the Kin Kletso Great House. Guests will park at the Pueblo del Arroyo parking area and walk 1/8 of a mile to Kin Kletso. The sunrise will be aligned with the northern wall of the building. The sunrise program is open to the first 100 visitors. Gates open at 6:30 a.m. After the sunrise observation, there will be a Casa Rinconada tour at 9:30 and a Pueblo Bonito tour at 2 p.m. After the 2 p.m. tour, visitors will have time to drive to Aztec Ruins National Monument, for the sunset observation. The sunset winter solstice observation occurs at Aztec Ruins National Monument, at the Aztec West Great House.

Researchers believe that these alignments were the Ancestral Pueblo way of creating a calendar on the landscape. 

For questions about these events please call 505-334-6174 or at 505-786-7014. You can also find information about both parks, Chaco and Aztec, on Facebook.

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