Pueblo del Arroyo

Pueblo del Arroyo is a large ruin with approximately 300 rooms arranged in a D-shaped floor plan, representing a complex residential community. The structure ranks as one of the four largest great houses constructed in Chaco Canyon and demonstrates careful architectural design.

Construction of this settlement began around 1060 and expanded over several decades into a major community. Systematic archaeological excavations in the 1920s revealed the layout and details of the site that visitors see today.

The site contains multiple kivas, sunken ceremonial chambers visible as circular or rectangular depressions, where visitors can sense the importance of communal gatherings to the people who lived here. These spaces anchored the spiritual and social rhythms of the community.

Access is via a short, level graveled trail from the Canyon Loop Drive. Visitors should prepare for desert conditions and bring plenty of water, as the site offers no shade or shelter.

The site contains one of the rare tri-wall kivas found in North America, a structure with three concentric walls that stands out in the region. This architectural feature makes the location particularly significant for researchers studying ancient construction techniques.