Chimney Rock National Monument

About

Chimney Rock National Monument, located near Pagosa Springs on Colorado’s Western Slope, is a 4,726-acre site managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It features significant Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites, including the Great House Pueblo, Great Kiva, and over 100 other structures built more than 1,000 years ago. The landscape combines high desert and ponderosa pine forests with dramatic sandstone and shale cliffs. Fall hiking typically runs from September through November, offering moderate difficulty with rocky and steep sections. Trails, such as the 0.6-mile Great House Pueblo Trail, provide views of the namesake Chimney Rock formation and surrounding valleys. The site is pet-friendly, and parking is available. Restrooms and picnic tables are present near the Visitor Center Cabin, though running water is not available. Wildlife includes migratory mule deer and elk. Access is via Highway 151, with the Visitor Center Cabin open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. between May 15 and September 30.