New Mexico’s Pueblo indigenous people cultures are known for their unique apartment-like dwelling villages constructed of adobe, which were often constructed on rock ledges or steep-sided mesas. Today, a large number of national parks, monuments, and heritage sites preserve the ruins historic indigenous villages and Spanish missions throughout the region.
Visit Abo Ruins Salinas National Monument
Abo Ruins are part of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, which preserves a complex of three historic Spanish missions near the city of Mountainair. Today, the site features a visitor center showcasing museum exhibits and two educational trails offering access to important ruins. Ranger-led petroglyph tours are available with advance reservations.
Address: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, PO Box 517, Mountainair, NM 87036-0517, Phone: 505-847-2585
Explore Aztec Ruins National Monument
Aztec Ruins National Monument is located near the Animas River and the city of Farmington, approximately nine miles from the Salmon Ruins. A visitor center is offered, along with a self-guided visitor educational trail touring site reconstructions, a heritage garden and native plants walk, and a pedestrian river bridge designated as part of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail.
Address: 725 Ruins Road, Aztec, NM 87410, Phone: 505-334-6174
Stroll through Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument preserves more than 33,000 acres of canyon and mesa terrain surrounding a former Ancestral Pueblo settlement that was inhabited between 1150 and 1550. A visitor center offers exhibits and a short documentary film, and ranger-led programming provides further information in the form of walk and talk events, campfire gatherings, and night sky programs. Single and multi-day backcountry hiking permits are also available upon request.
Address: 15 Entrance RD, Los Alamos, NM 87544, Phone: 505-672-3861
View the houses in Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves a major Ancestral Puebloan cultural center within Chaco Canyon that flourished between 850 and 1250. A visitor center is offered, along with a self-guided Canyon Loop Drive trail showcasing six historic sites and four backcountry trails leading to more obscure sites. A campground and ranger-led astronomy, solar viewing, and walk and talk programming is also available.
Address: PO Box 220, Nageezi, NM 87037, Phone: 505-786-7014
Follow the trail at El Morro National Monument
El Morro National Monumentpreserves a historic watering hole that served as a campsite for Ancestral Puebloan, Spanish, and American travelers throughout the American Southwest. An Inscription Trail showcases the site’s carvings, while a two-mile Headland Trail provides access to the Ancestral Puebloan ruins of Atsinna, which were constructed in 1275 by ancestors of the Zuni indigenous people and stand high above the monument atop a nearby cuesta.
Address: HC 61 Box 43, Ramah, NM 87321, Phone: 505-783-4226
Take a self-guided tour of Fort Union National Monument
Fort Union National Monument is located in Mora County near the city of Watrous and preserves the historic Fort Union, which was constructed in 1851 as the second of three forts that stood in the region. 0.5 and 1.25-mile self-guided interpretive trails are available, showcasing the fort’s adobe ruins, and park interpretive programming is offered regularly, including guided talks and tours and night sky star parties.
Address: PO Box 127, Watrous, NM 87753, Phone: 505-425-8025
Stop by the visitor center at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument preserves the Mogollon cliff dwellings at the Gila Wilderness, located near the Gila River and Silver City. A museum showcasing Apache and Mogollon artifacts is offered at the park’s visitor center, along with a mile-long trail loop providing visitor access to the ruins. A mummified infant body discovered at the site, known as Zeke, is also on display at the Smithsonian Museum.
Address: 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049, Phone: 575-536-9461
See the exhibits at Jemez Historic Site
Jemez Historic Site is located near the cities of Albuquerque and Bernalillo and preserves the stone ruins of the Jemez Pueblo village of Giusewa, which dates back at least 500 years and was named in honor of the region’s hot springs. A heritage center at the site showcases the history of the Jemez people through a variety of exhibits, while a 1,400-foot interpretive trail offers access to the site’s ruins.
Address: PO Box 143 Jemez Springs, NM 87025, Phone: 575-829-3530
See the ruins of a historic village at Pecos National Historic Park
Pecos National Historic Park is located within San Miguel and Santa Fe Counties, approximately 17 miles east of the city of Santa Fe. It protects an area of more than 6,600 acres of historical significance, including the ruins of the Pecos Pueblo village, which housed more than 2,000 people at its peak in 1450.
Address: P.O. Box 418, Pecos, NM 87552, Phone: 505-757-7241
Step back in time to 1300s at Quarai Mission Ruins
Quarai Mission Ruins, which are also referred to as Quarai State Monument, are incorporated as part of the larger Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, which preserves three historic mission ruin sites near Mountainair.
Address: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, PO Box 517, Mountainair, NM 87036-0517, Phone: 505-847-2585
Access the ruins at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument preserves three historic Spanish Catholic missions that were constructed in the Mountainair region between 1622 and 1635. Several visitor centers and interpretive trails are offered throughout the park, providing historical context and access to ruin sites.
Address: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, PO Box 517, Mountainair, NM 87036-0517, Phone: 505-847-2585
See replica indigenous dwellings at Salmon Ruins Museum
Salmon Ruins Museum preserves an important Chacoan and Pueblo archaeological site that was constructed around 1090 and occupied until the 1280s, when it was severely damaged by fire. Today, the Salmon Ruins Museum showcases a variety of permanent and temporary rotating exhibits related to Chacoan and Pueblo culture, including important artifacts discovered as part of excavations. A heritage park also showcases replica indigenous dwellings, sweat lodges, and trading posts, and an amphitheater is available for private special event rental.
Address: P. O. Box 125, Bloomfield, New Mexico 87413, Phone: 505-632-2013
Take a day trip to Guadalupe Ruins from Albuquerque
Isolated on a 200-foot-tall sandstone mesa in the Rio Puerco Valley, the unique Guadalupe Ruins were formerly the easternmost outlier of the historic Chacoan society. The site is about a two-hour drive from Albuquerque followed by a short hike to the mesa. The climb up may be steep, but the inspiring ruins and impressive scenic views make it well worth the effort.
Address: 100 Sun Avenue NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109, Phone: 505-761-8700
Tour Puye Cliff Dwellings
Nestled in the heart of northern New Mexico, the Puye Cliff Dwellings are rich in Native American culture and heritage. The dwellings were formerly inhabited by over 1,500 ancient Santa Clara Pueblo Indians from the 900s to 1500s. Several tours are available to explore different aspects of the historic landmark.
Address: Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544, Phone: 505-917-6650
Visit the ruins dating to the 800s at Una Vida
Known as one of the oldest great houses in New Mexico, some portions of the Una Vida ruins date as far back as the 800s, with other portions dating to 1100.
Address: Path to Una Vida, Nageezi, New Mexico 87037
See an amazing views of the Rio Grande from Coronado Historic Site
Inhabited for thousands of years by the Tiwa Indians, the Kuaua Pueblo ruins in Bernalillo date as far back as the 1300s. Coronado Historic Site was named after Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, a Spanish explorer who came across the pueblo and other Tiwa-speaking villages. Visitors are welcome to stop by and see the historic ruins, which include a ceremonial chamber, several mural paintings and artifacts, and amazing views of the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains.
Address: 485 Kuaua Road, Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004, Phone: 505-867-5351
Explore Pueblo del Arroyo
Unlike other great houses in the Chaco Canyon, Pueblo del Arroyo is one of the area’s most delicately located great houses. A total of two excavations were carried out to uncover this inspiring site: first in 1923 by the National Geographic Expedition, followed by the National Park Service in 1950.
Address: NM-57, Nageezi, New Mexico 87037
Visit the unique ruins at Kiowa National Grassland
Hidden within a seemingly empty flat plain off Route 39, the Kiowa National Grassland is home to a unique set of ruins. While it may not be as popular or well preserved as other New Mexican ruins, the beautiful terrain and snaking Canadian River definitely make this serene site worth the visit.
Address: Mills Canyon Road, Mills, New Mexico 87730
