There's more to learn at Chimney Rock National Monument beyond daily tours. These special events occur once a year, yielding an opportunity to experience different facets of the site.
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Solstice/Equinox Programs (Solstice 2013 Date, Equinox 2013 Date)
Attendees rise early and watch the sun rise from two special places at Chimney Rock. First, a site named the Sun Tower (not on the daily walking tour) offers one vantage point to watch the sunrise over a notch in the San Juan Mountains. Move to the Stone Circle to see the sun rise again over the Great House Pueblo's north wall. The volunteer program leader describes several alignments at Chimney Rock and their possible importance to ancient residents. These are reservations-only programs, not suitable for children under 12. The fee is $15.00 and is considered a non-refundable donation.
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Life at Chimney Rock Festival (2013 Dates)
This free, family-oriented festival is held at Chimney Rock's Visitor Center area. Step back in time as volunteers and artisans demonstrate ancient tools and crafts. Visitors may make a pot, throw an atlatl (a type of throwing spear), pound yucca leaves to release their fibers, carve their own petroglyph, grind corn with a mano and metate, watch a volunteer spin dog hair using a drop spindle, see an expert flint knapper create hand tools, and learn how a Native American makes his own flutes. The festival is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and includes Native American arts and crafts for sale.
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 Puebloan Pottery Workshop (2013 Date) Under the direction of licensed educator and national award-winning ArchaeoCeramist Greg Wood, you'll use prehistoric technology for hand-shaping and trench-kiln firing replica pottery. The 3-day workshop is a learning experience as well as a time for bonding. Includes a tour of Chimney Rock National Monument. Visit www.ancientarts.org.
Native American Cultural Gathering (2013 Dates)
Thrill to the rhythm of the drums as modern day Puebloans bring their public dances to Chimney Rock National Monument's Great Kiva. Visitors have enjoyed presentations of traditional music, song, dance, and storytelling by Native American people including Acoma, Hopi, Laguna, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Santa Clara, Taos, Zuni, Yaqui, Aztec, Southern Ute, and Ute Mountain Ute groups. These traditional presentations give the public an opportunity to envision how the site might have been used centuries ago. You'll be up close and personal with the groups. For many of the presenters, it's a deeply spiritual occasion, a return to their roots, a chance to commune with the spirits of their ancestors. Arts and crafts are sold during the event. While tours of the site are canceled for this special event, this is a unique opportunity to view living history. Reservations are not required. For this program only, a fee is collected at the entrance gate on Highway 151.
See the Calendar for additional information. This event is organized by Southwest Native Cultures, a partner non-profit organization.
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