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Firewood and food need to be brought into the campground. However, its better than driving out and back to a hotel in Aztec an hour away. I would recommend getting the booklets so you can read about the structures you are seing in each part of the property. It might be that they didnt call themselves anything since evidence suggests that they were made up of many different cultures. My fingers tightened on the steering wheel as the gravel faded into a washboard dirt road. New Mexico's premier travel company, Heritage Inspirations, provides year-round, all-inclusive authentically-curated guided tours. 1 Visiting Chaco Canyon 1.1 Driving to Chaco Canyon 2 Chaco Ruins, the Archaeological Site 2.1 Una Vida 2.2 Hungo Pavi 2.3 Next Stop 2.4 Chetro Ketl 2.5 The Petroglyph Trail 2.6 Pueblo Bonito 3 A Hike to the Mesa Top 3.1 Klin Kletso 3.2 The Trail to the Top 3.3 At the Overlook 3.4 At the Casa Rinconada, Home of the Great Kiva All sites and trails are open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (May 1-October 31), 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Nov 1-Feb 28), and 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Mar 1-Apr 30). The smaller Pueblo del Arroyo structure was built in two stages between AD 1025 to AD 1125. After leaving Albuquerque, we stopped in the tiny village of Cuba (population 742), for pancakes. To say about the route Colin gave you on 371. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. at its most special time. Roads can be messy in the rainy season (July - Sept.). Change). */ Chaco Canyon. Just count on most or the day for that visit. As long as it is not raining or snowing you should be just fine. Still, we have the need to catalog and characterize, so we used the name Anasazi until recently. The second is about 5 miles from US-550 on CR-7900 going to Chaco Canyon right where you take a sharp right turn toward Chaco Canyon. Its also believed that it was a major trade center because of the abnormally high number of storage areas found in the ruins and the existence of well-developed roads leading into the city. A journey that continues today. Today the massive buildings of the ancestral Pueblo peoples still testify to the organizational and engineering abilities not seen anywhere else in the American Southwest. Located near a small cave ruin, there are no shaded areas, so come prepared. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The best route is from the North via US 550. Petrified Logs * #5. Which tour did you take? Alternatively, you may use, Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock. Why are the roads to Chaco Canyon so bad? The park offers camping facilities at the Gallo Campground, with 48 individual campsites. It was a blur of places across four continentsboth new and oldand reunions with old friends. If a Mustang could drive this road, then so could Betty! Approx. Chaco Canyon National Historic Park & Where to Stay In Your RV (505)327-1671 If you're a first time visitor to Chaco Canyon, you mightprefer a more touristy area, but if you're a solo traveler, a smaller hotel could be more interesting. How much time should be allocated for drive from Alb to Chaco and days at Chaco? It would be a nice appetizer for the next day at Mesa Verde. The major runs within the Chaco Canyon can be explored through these tours. Its all herefrom savory Chickpea Soup to sweet Pion Nut Cake dripping with honey. We visited in mid-October for the Albuequerque Balloon Festival and found it pleasant during the day, but cold at night. Hi all, Follow our adventures around the world and the American Southwest on my blog www.jauntingjen.com Should we shorten it??? Chaco Canyon Adventure $147 BOOK NOW. It's small and doesn't take much time to visit. I put on my raincoat and used my rain cover for my bag to cover my camera. Chaco Canyon is located inside Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, also known as Chaco Canyon, is the largest excavated prehistoric ruins in North America and is a must-see for history buffs and outdoor lovers. Linking Chetro Ketl and Pueblo Bonito is a small detour that takes you to a cemetery. I was in ABQ for work a few years ago, and I had a Saturday to kill. Hey, I dont know the best answer except to say that the ranger suggested we take the road we came in on back out. Hi there. I highly recommend readingHouse of Rain by Greg Childs, In Search of the Old Ones by David Roberts, or Brian Fagans Chaco Canyon to get a deeper understanding of the landscape, culture, archaeology, and ancient Chacoan road system. Temperatures vary from 38-102 F (39-39 C) and can fluctuate by 60 F (33 C) in a single day. Even if you find an artifact on the ground, it must stay where you found it. The next 4+ miles of road into Chaco has the worst washboards I have ever seen. Testimonials "We took the Crow Canyon tour and it was a wonderful experience, educational and deeply moving. You could also try Airbnb, whichlists around 18 rentals from $20-130. Earlier that morning, I was at my friend Seans apartment in Santa Fe, New Mexico planning my route to Page, Arizona. From the north coming from I-25: Follow highway 550 past Cuba then turn left just past a convenience store (mile 112.5) onto CR7900. When visiting, it is possible to take either a professionally guided or a self-guided tour. There is a paved loop road within the park itself, but vistors must park at each site and then hike in; in order to see each of the individual sites. Hotels near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Hotels near University of New Mexico Taos Klauer Campus, Things to do near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park Tours and Tickets, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Nageezi, Chaco Culture National Historical Park: Tickets & Tours, Vienna Mozart Concert in Historical Costumes at the Musikverein, Piton Sunset Snorkel Cruise St. Lucia From Castries, Go City: Boston Explorer Pass - Choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 Attractions, Hoover Dam Kayak Tour on Colorado River with Optional Pickup in Las Vegas, Dolce Vita vintage photo tour with the iconic yellow Fiat 500, Mayan Inland Expedition - Coba Ruins, Punta Laguna and Mayan family, VIS Island (Mamma Mia Island) PRIVATE TOUR, See all 1 Chaco Culture National Historical Park tours on Tripadvisor. You really need a whole day. Should we just go straight to MV? That said, the paved segment is no problem. } One night at Chaco is not enough. Fantastic experience in an isolated remote area, that happens to be a National Park, We came here on a weekday in June and there were about 30-40 other people here, so I'd imagine that even at the weekend you won't be sharing this with many people. The altitude combined with the heat, constant wind and dry climate is fatiguing if you're not accustomed to it. Park Website. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We love to hike, hunt for crystals and minerals, and visit historic sites and ruins scattered throughout the southwest. Available on weekends and at special celestial events throughout the year, the program offers presentations on archaeoastronomy, cultural history, and the viewing of heavenly bodies through telescopes. When the temperature is moderate throughout the day but cool at night. Cancel Fee: fee will be applied if you do not call road scholar participant services at least one business day prior to the program start date. The Crater began formation some 10,000 years ago and is filled with rich minerals deposited by the heated spring water, making it the most prominent mineral dome in the . It was also very helpful that she drove because while the road had been repaired it is very rough and we might have given up and turned around. What are the hours The pavement turned into gravel. My first tip is DO NOT attempt to use GPS. Now, I was regretting that decision as I bounced along the dirt road feeling like I was the backseat of a jeep in rural India. We stayed at Motel 6. The ruins sites are going to be the best you'll come across. Chetro Ketl Ruin at Chaco CanyonAnasazi ruin chetro ketl at chaco culture national historical park. Pets are not permitted on these front country trails. Cell signal is minimal do NOT rely on GPS! Next day visit Mesa Verde Nat Park. It's more than just a little fascinating studying what is known of the ancient and far reaching Chaco culture. We could say its near the town of Cuba, but the truth is, its more accurate to say that Cuba is one of the nearest towns. After about 150 yards I absolutely HAD to stop. Turn right on, CR7950, which deteriorates quickly to a gravel road and eventually leads you to the park, which has glorious paved roads! Plan 1 day for Chaco, staying in Farmington or Durango. Also, forty-eight degrees is much colder than I expected for the middle of June. April through October, night sky programs and telescope viewing of the spectacular dark night sky are offered. But I keep hearing of all these other places that are better, and I wonder if we'll go to all the hassle of getting there and then be disappointed. Beware that you have to drive on dirt roads to get to the site. Casa Grande National Monument. The "Chaco Culture," as modern-day archaeologists call it, flourished between roughly the 9 th and 13 th centuries A.D. and was centered at Chaco Canyon in what is now New Mexico. Then spend at least a few hours there. Pets are permitted on backcountry trails as long as they are on leashes no longer than 6 feet. There are no food concessions of any kind, other than the National Park Shop for information and souvenirs. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Other nearby attractions include Western New Mexico University, University of New Mexico, Gallup, Fire Rock Navajo Casino and Acoma Sky City. Although New Mexico and the US are relatively safe places to travel in, medical costs are high so we always recommend purchasing travel insurance before any trip. Doorways inside the Pueblo Bonito. Perhaps one day I will walk these roads in the footsteps of the ancient ones. Generators are allowed between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, but only for one hour at a time. The first thing you see is Gallo Campground. Its about3 hours (161 miles) northwest of Albuquerque, or 90 minutes (75 miles) southeast from Farmington. Most of the ruins can be visited in a day. Chaco Canyon Campitos Turquoise Squash Blossom Flower Earrings A modern take on the traditional squash blossom design. Sometimes, the most amazing places are the hardest to reach. Disappointing to say the least. (See map here.) The park is located in northwestern New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Farmington, in a remote canyon cut by the Chaco Wash. This could be an entirely separate blog post. Compare similar trips and tour companies to find your perfect vacation at the perfect price It seems that the word Anasazi is actually a Navajo word that means Ancient enemy. But its more than that. if(!a.test(this.href)) { The NPS doesn't mention needing 4 wheel drive or high clearance but multiple comments on here mention needing them. 2-5/16"L x 15/16"W. Stamped .925 sterling silver; oxidized finish. The largest and most impressive Chacoan great house is Pueblo Bonito. It turns out that there are people in the southwest that consider themselves ancestors of the Ancient ones, and they arent fond of the term Anasazi, because of its negative connotations in the Navajo language, and perhaps also because its a Navajo word and the Navajo arent regarded as descendant from these ancient people. Just northwest of Tucson and right off of I-10 is this gorgeous state park. If it's still wet, it may be impassable. Free shipping for many products! 7. And now we've added Moab and Bryce and the Grand Canyon, so we're skipping most of the NM stuff. more. So best will be from 550. As I experienced in Greece, there is such a thing as too many ruins ;-) I'm glad they exist, but I don't need to see them ALL. We didnt need our 4-wheel drive when we visited. Chaco's ruins are very impressive and the site history is quite unique in the area. The absolute silence is very satisfying. With Chaco Canyon now declared a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site, visitors to Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico can marvel at the remains of 12 great houses and. Yes, I meant Mesa Verde. Gallo campsites may be reserved in advance from March through October at $15 each. The pure excitement of being in this ancient place kept me awake. My last stop was Casa Rinconada, the largest excavated kiva in the park. all in all, it wasn't our usual, but was very fun. Cornucopia, a 30-year guide at Chaco Canyon. (There are only two exits, and apparently, that horrible road I took is the best.) 50 % of order total. We would have needed at least two days to explore the riches of this place but only had a half-day. 6-1/2"L x 2-11/16"W; fits 5-1/2" to 6" wrist. Would love to stay longer but could not imagine driving it again when we were to leave. Pueblo BonitoRuins of Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Check the weather, and call the visitors center (505-786-7014) for route recommendations before your trip. The ruins of Hungo Pavi at Chaco Canyon National Monument. There is one campground in the park, near the visitors center, called the Gallo Campground. With such an enticing name, its hard to resist the pull. Hitting the smooth black asphalt at the entrance to the park after 21 miles of rough road is extremely satisfying. Check, Situated only a few miles west of downtown Tucson is the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. I was driving 10 mph, and my car was shaking so violently that I thought it might fall apart at any second. Wear study shoes for hiking; no sandals or open toed shoes! For a deeper contact with the canyon that was central to . Check the Guided Tours page, the schedule at the Visitor Center or call 505-786-7014 for more information. They were inefficient, took forever to do the rental (and my credit card was cloned on that trip - could have been them or any of the gas stations) but we got a great deal on an old beater of a cruise america rv, and we had fun in our first time in a "real" rv. The turnoff is 3 miles southeast of Nageezi. We were in a regular car, 4 miles from the entrance, with no cell phone reception and decided not to chance getting stuck. As it is right on the way, make a stop at Aztec Ruins National Monument. Admission is $25 per vehicle, but we strongly suggest buying the America the Beautiful National Park annual pass for $80. Hungo Pavi An unexcavated Chacocan Great House. Why are the roads to Chaco Canyon so bad? Follow this road for 21 miles into the park. The following are the Chaco Culture National Historical Park highlights. Then, I realized the storm was headed straight for the nightmarish dirt road, the only northern exit from the park. Pueblo Bonito is the most important, most celebrated, and most scrupulously investigated site in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The storm loomed in the distance and paralleled the dirt road the entire drive back to the main (nicely paved) highway like a vulture stalking its prey. Chaco Canyon is one of the oldest places of habitation in the United States. Imagine this light show in the enclosed Kiva, it would have been even more dramatic. I smiled. Plan your upcoming visit to Chaco Canyon. Running Bear STERLING SILVER TURQUOISE RING 2.25" Long at the best online prices at eBay! Some areas havelots of things to do within walking distance, but the hotels may be more expensive. Right: Abandoned houses line the road. Chaco Canyon sites are located on the leeward side of large mountain peaks to the south and west, creating a rainshadow effect that adds to the region's overall lack of rainfall. The Gallo Campgrounds are closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and day, and New Years Eve and day during this time period. Chaco Canyon is listed as an International dark sky Park with the IDA Dark Sky Association. And I also think I need to limit the number of ruins I visit. Casa Grande sits in the middle of a surrounding flat desert in Coolidge, Arizona, just a short drive from Phoenix. Would be flying in to Albuquerque. Plan your upcoming visit to Chaco Canyon. Dont put your hands and feet anywhere you cant see them. When I posted a Chaco Canyon photo on Instagram, I laughed at a friends comment: We wanted to go there but ran out of time and worried about getting through the dirt roads!. Cracked Eggs * #4. Joey is a good sport when I tell him its time to get going, at 3:15am. Covering more than 160 southwestern plant medicines, within 102 profiles, Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest describes each plants medicinal use, therapeutic indication, geographic range, botanical characteristics, chemical composition, preparation, dosage, and cautions. Since theres nothing I love to photograph more than ruins (except for ruins with alpacas! There is a maximum of 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 cars per campsite. Traveling to Chaco is an event. It has been very dry so you should be a-ok! Places like Mesa Verde come immediately to mind, but the area is scattered with many more out of the way places that can really make an adventure to the southwest something special. It not only covers admission to per vehicle attractions, but up to 4 people at per person sites. We recommend booking Chaco Culture National Historical Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Pueblo Bonito The largest and best known Great House in the park. Just FYI, I pull a 31ft travel trailer with a heavy duty 4x4 Dodge diesel with really stiff suspension. Whether youre here for two days or two months, this guide will answer all your questions about things to do, logistics and most importantly, where to EAT! We visited in mid-October for the Albuequerque Balloon Festival and found it pleasant during the day, but cold at night. We were there one night when one of the group sites was occupied by the Albuquerque Astronomical Society; a group of friendly people willing to share their views from their amazing telescopes. The best time to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park,New Mexico is during the spring and fall when the temperature is milder. Chaco Canyon Historical Park map, from the National Park Service web site. If you ever get a chance to walk in the footsteps of the ancients and explore the oldest settlement in America, its an experience you will never forget. really cool archaeological site. You should also take the northern route, entering from the park from the side near Nageezi. The Hopi and other ethnic groups of New Mexico trace their ancestry directly to the culture and people of Chaco Canyon. Being completely different cultures in different periods in different parts of the word, I wouldn't expect too many similarities. And of course, you never know which one it will be until you get there. When I reached the riverbed, it was dry. With no running water, no power, no cell phone connection, this experience has always been what we consider an essential experience when visiting the southwest. Any suggestions for a town? Your email address will not be published. April through October, night sky programs and telescope viewing of the spectacular dark night sky are offered. Sign up for new posts from my adventures along with travel advice & tips! Its a 1.5 hr / 90 mile drive north. Visiting this park in an RV might be a good reason to upgrade your rig with solar panels. During our visit to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, we werent aware that Chaco Canyon camping was an option. Heres the 2022 photography edition! We can verify that the roads are indeed rough. I've been to Mesa Verde many times, to Canyons of the Ancients west of Cortez, to Bears Ears National Monument, Canyon de Chelly and to Hovenweep National Monument. Turn left on county road 7900, follow this road for 5 miles. Specialties: Red Roof Inn Gallup is 100% smoke-free and conveniently located near Historical Downtown, the Gallup Convention Center, the Mural Art Center and the Gallup Cultural Center. I'm no convert (inveterate car camper/sleep on the ground or in a tent) but would do it again for a lark. Chiang Mai is where I normally spend my winters and where I just returned after a pandemic hiatus. There are two reasons for this. Anna Sofaer found the now-famous Sun Dagger petroglyph site on a desert butte high above Chaco Culture National Historical Park at Summer Solstice in 1977, leading to 30 years research into the meaning of ancient Chacos astronomical expressions. The only real reason to go camping at Chaco Canyon is to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park. But spending the night elsewhere isn't an option either, as it would mean loosing a full day at MV. Of course it is worth seeing. This 98-acre open-air facility houses, Copyright 2023 https://www.daytrippen.com | Site Design by 3200 Creative | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | User Agreement | Contact Us. Product Description. Wings * #2. Currently in The Southwest with a wonderful husband, a rescue dog named Gaia. (Kivas are partially underground structures used by Puebloans for religious ceremonies.) New Mexico required that visitors in the state self-quarantine for 14 days when they arrived due to COVID (we arrived at the end of January 2021), so after completing those two weeks at our Airbnb we ventured down to Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Visiting Chaco Canyon One of our favorite pass times when traveling in the American southwest is visiting the various cliff dwelling houses. They're all very interesting but I noticed that they all talk about Chaco Canyon as the cultural and ceremonial center for the ancient Puebloans that existed in the period 900 to 1200 AD. Get off the cliffs and out of open spaces if you hear thunder or see lightning. 2023 EXPEDITIONS . The sites are well signposted. We crept along the dusty road and tried not to wake the rest of the campground. Please check your gas level in your vehicle there are NO gas stations in the park. That never happens. Early Spanish explorers named the massive great house Pueblo Bonito because it resembled a 'pretty village.'. It was a black Ford Mustang struggling to get down the road. After researching (and not liking the terms and the lack of ANY promise of roadside assistance) the options on rv share and similar platforms (sort of like air bnb for rvs) we wound up renting from the local franchise of cruise america. The good news, the water at the visitor center fill point is really good. ), I jumped at the chance. Preferably something small like a VW Westphalia or small class B RV. After three-hundred years of prosperity, Chaco began to decline. Get hold of a trail guide booklet at the Visitor Center before you start your hike, and irrespective of the trail you choose, your walk will give you a chance to experience a unique landscape amid ruins unlike anywhere else in the world. Casa Rinconada, a 19-meter diameter great kiva located within the canyon, has two opposing interior T-shaped doors placed along a north-south axis and two exterior doors aligned east-west, through which the light of the rising sun passes directly only on the morning of an equinox (whether this latter alignment existed during Chacoan times is Chaco Canyon is a very interesting and compelling place. FYI: the water at the water point next to the visitor center is excellent. Guest houses are too far away - you'll spend all your time driving. There is also industrial traffic from oil fields in the area. This area of New Mexico is home to a fantastic network of. . Badlands are by definition landscapes that are unsuitable for human habitation. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The turnoff is 3 miles southeast of Nageezi. We stopped by to check out our campsite and headed to the Visitor Center center. We were in this adventure together. Enough so that you can stand outside at night and easily see the Milky Way. The big Pueblo Bonito was partially destroyed by a rock in the '40's, but it's still very obvious how things were laid out, and there are many other sites. Another concern are sudden storms so keep up-to-date with weather forecasts. We thought one full day doing the loop and two mornings hiking. Continue north on Highway 550 north for 36 miles until just before Nageezi. United States - Best month for NW New Mexico - We are planning a girls trip to NW New Mexico and are wondering if Mid May would be a good time. Chaco Canyon is one of the most unforgettable places my travels have led me. Our savior was Wayne. One of our favorite pass times when traveling in the American southwest is visiting the various cliff dwelling houses. I saw that Belinda took the roads with a small RV. Pierced with clutch backs. Don't miss the movies in the Visitor's Center as they. Best time to visit:Avoid the winter due to snow and ice. From there, a 9-mile loop road accesses five major Chacoan sites, including Pueblo Bonito. We wish we had known about this earlier as the pass investment can easily pay for itself with just a couple National Park visits. The elevation is over 6,200 feet so plan on warm camping gear, especially in the winter. Go up a notch with this one, and sign up for a Night Sky Program at the park. Expect the last 21 miles into Chaco Canyon to take well over an hour, in ideal conditions. Last time I drove from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you want to go solo, thats a great option too. The back way is also unpaved, but the condition is fine for passenger (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You have at least a 1/2 hour drive on dirt roads to get to the park. If youre coming from Colorado, you can go through Durango, down to Farmington, and on to Chaco Canyon. There are thirteen miles of dirt roads to drive before getting to Chaco Canyon, and the last four miles are considered by the park service to be very rough. Left: The northern entrance to the park is on Highway 7950 is a rough dirt road. That one full day was enough to have a very full experience of Chaco, including two ranger-led programs and visits to three of the great houses. My husband and I had an amazing day at Chaco with Tori from the Salmon Ruins Museum whom I highly recommend. I instantly felt like I was back at Machu Picchu walking through elaborately built Inca ruins. The Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located in northwestern New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Farmington, and is home to the massive Pueblo Bonito ruins which are believed to have been . The reason is somewhat complicated, but easy enough to understand. Pet owners must clean up after their animals. To visit Chaco Canyon is to immerse yourself in an incredible number of notable spots of social, spiritual, and historical significance. If you are short on time, this is the place to spend it. Bring sunscreen. To most of us, this simply means that its got really, really dark skies. Plan on budgeting 3-4 hours at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both entrance roads are dirt and can become very rough. Chaco Canyon is very dry. Chaco Culture National Historical Park is one of the grandest and best preserved prehistoric sites within North America. Lower your tire pressure and then head on to Chaco. When itdries, it's as hard as rock and all the ruts and washboards remain until the next rain. 11.Chaco Culture National Historic Park. 505-786-7014. Yes, but for longer than one night next time, and perhaps in an actual tent and sleeping bag. Unusual Things to Do in Southern California. Here you can appreciate what the building looks like without excavation. One advantage to Chaco vs. Mesa Verde is that at Chaco you will have the opportunity to walk through all of the ruins, whereas in Mesa Verde, most of the ruins can only be viewed from above or below. Your email address will not be published. The light of the pre-dawn sun was soon replaced with a dramatic light and shadow show. Required fields are marked *. Sign up for travel tips,location guides, expert interviews and updates frommy adventures. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13255020', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars. The Visitor Center is open from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. I am confused as to the most reasonable place to base ourselves in simple lodging for a couple of night/ one full day in Chaco Cyn. So I was looking at the tourism info online, saw all the cool stuff to see around ABQ (if you have more than 1 day) and decided to go back. The people migrated to other areas around the Southwest such as Aztec Ruins and Mesa Verde. up to 30 days prior to program start date. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. It didnt take long for first rays of the morning sun to wash out the Big Dipper, as if it never existed. You can also get off I-40 at Milan then take highway 605 to 509 to 9. I suddenly remembered the dry riverbed I drove across on the way to the park, and the giant signs that read Do not cross if ANY water is present. I panicked and headed for the exit.