How a Glamping Adventure Revealed the Secrets of New Mexico’s Chaco Canyon

"A UNESCO World Heritage–listed Ancestral Puebloan complex known for its remote location, extraordinarily dark night skies, and enigmatic great houses; the society that built here flourished from about 850 to 1250 A.D. Visitors note the site’s sense of mystery — massive stone constructions and timber brought from forests 50 miles away, yet strikingly few hearths, trash middens, or burial concentrations — which has fueled theories that the area functioned as a ceremonial center calibrated to solar and lunar pathways. The park is a challenging three-hour drive from Santa Fe (including unpaved roads), offers DIY campsites and superb stargazing, and rewards those interested in archaeology, cultural astronomy, and dramatic desert landscapes." - Kevin West Kevin West Kevin West is a writer, food consultant, and “canning evangelist” (according to NPR). He’s the author of the cookbook “Saving the Season,” and his work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Martha Stewart Living, Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines