Nine national monuments to explore across New Mexico
Fall is upon us. If you’re looking to make the most of the milder temps, New Mexico has plenty of outdoor sights to see. The state is home to nine national monuments scattered across its landscape, each offering a glimpse into the region’s geology, archaeology and history.
Aztec Ruins
An ancestral Pueblo site in northwestern New Mexico, Aztec Ruins is about 12 miles northeast of Farmington. The monument consists of structures made by ancestral Puebloans, including large public buildings, smaller structures, earthworks and ceremonial buildings. The settlement dates back to the late 1000s to 1200s. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Entry is free. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a museum and 15-minute film. The address is 725 Ruins Road, Aztec, NM 87410.
Bandelier
Over 33,000 acres of canyon and mesa country with petroglyphs and more, Bandelier is located near Los Alamos. The monument preserves ancestral Puebloan homes and territory. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Oct. 15, 1966. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Entry is $15 to $25 for a standard pass; cash is not accepted. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Frijoles Canyon. The address is 15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544.
Capulin Volcano
Visitors can take in views from four different states at the volcanic rim, or gaze at one of the darkest night skies in the country. Capulin Volcano showcases volcanic geology of northeast New Mexico. The monument encompasses about 800 acres, at an elevation of 8,182. Volcano Road is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Standard passes range from $10 to $20; cash is not accepted. The visitor center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The address is 46 Volcano Highway, Capulin, NM 88414.
El Malpais
The landscape is made up of young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes and sandstone bluffs. Also known as “Land of Frozen Fire,” El Malpais holds the second largest volcanic field in its province. It became a national monument in 1987. The monument is open 24/7. Entry is free. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 1900 E Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020.
El Morro
This monument preserves the remains of a prehistoric pueblo on top of sandstone, with a pool of water at the base. It encompasses 1,278 acres and was used as a resting place for numerous travelers. Names, dates, poems and more are inscribed on the walls. Hours vary by season. Entry is free. The address is NM-53, Ramah, NM 87321.
Fort Union
A site preserving the remains of three forts built starting in the 1850s, Fort Union is located in the Mora Valley and holds an array of plants and animals. It covers 720 acres near Watrous and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Oct. 15, 1966. Hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. The visitor center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with “oversized” parking for campers. The address is 3115 NM-161, Watrous, NM 87753.
Gila Cliff Dwellings
The caves above Cliff Dweller Creek were used as temporary shelters for thousands of years. In the late 1200s, people of Southern Ancestral Pueblo made it home, building rooms and raising children for a couple generations, before moving by about 1300. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The address is 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049.
Petroglyphs
One of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, with designs and symbols carved into volcanic rock. It covers 7,236 acres stretching along Albuquerque’s West Mesa. Established in 1990, it is a partnership between the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entry is free. The visitor center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The address is Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120.
Salinas Pueblo Missions
Three distinct sites offering a look back at the Spanish and Pueblo peoples’ early encounters. The site encompasses 1,076 acres and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Oct. 15, 1966. Hours vary by season. Entry is free. The address is 105 S Ripley Ave, Mountainair, NM.
