Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Pink flowers and green foliage frame the roofless remains of a stone mission.

Quarai Mission in Spring

Stone walls of a roofless building rise into a bright blue sky.

An overview of the Quarai Mission, seen from the west.

An solar eclipse outlines an old stone structure at Salinas Pueblo Missions.

An annular eclipse was visible from Gran Quivira in 2012. A special program allowed visitors to experience this amazing celestial event.

A paved path winds through the stone foundations of several old kivas.

An overview of kivas at Gran Quivira

Stone foundations of an old mission structure.

An overview of the Abó Mission with the convento in the foreground.

A path through stone walls of an old church.

A view inside the Abó Church looking north. A nice carpet of grass is usually present during summer months.

Photos: National Park Service

About Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Its three distinct sites offer a glimpse into a unique time in history—a time entrenched with cultural borrowing, conflict and struggles. These sites continue to stand as reminders of the Spanish and Pueblo peoples’ early encounters and prompt exploration of today’s interactions among different people.

Quick Facts

State New Mexico

Designation National Monument

State Code NM

Weather Salinas Pueblo Missions is located at an elevation of 6100-6500 ft (1860-1980 m) in an arid climate. Average annual rainfall is about 15 inches. Winters can be cold and snowy.…

Location & Map

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is located in New Mexico.

Get Directions

Operating Hours

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is open 7 days a week year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Summer hours (April 1st - October 31st) for the Mountainair Headquarters Visitor Center and Abó, Quarai and Gran Quivira units are 10:00AM to 5:00PM daily. Winter hours (November 1st - March 31st) are 9:00AM to 4:00PM daily. For Visitor Center Hours for Abó, Quarai and Gran Quivira, please click the Visitor Centers tab below.

Wednesday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Monday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Thursday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Sunday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Tuesday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Friday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Saturday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

Astronomy Stargazing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hiking Front-Country Hiking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Reach the Mountainair Headquarters by taking I-25 south from Albuquerque to Belen, then NM 47 diagonally to US 60, then east 21 miles to Mountainair. To travel the historic highway route (Turquoise Highway) from the north, take I-40 east from Albuquerque to NM 337, drive south 47 miles (76K) to junction with NM State Highway 55. Proceed right (west) on Hwy 55 about 16 miles (26 K). Turn right on Highway 60 and proceed one block to HQ. Information on the ruins & surrounding area is available here.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Mountainair, NM, 87036-0517

Phone 5058472585

Email sapu_interp@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building Archeology Ruins Arts Painting Photography Colonization and Settlement Commerce Trade Farming and Agriculture Hispanic American Heritage Latino American Heritage Migrations Military Cavalry Native American Heritage Religion and Spirituality Missions Churches Transportation Roads, Routes and Highways Wars and Conflicts Mexican War Indian and Frontier Wars Animals Birds Foothills, Plains and Valleys Plateaus and Mesas Fossils and Paleontology Dinosaur Geology Mountains Natural Sounds Night Sky Astronomy Scenic Views Trails Unique Species

Things To Do

Quarai Ranger-Led Hikes

Abó Ranger-Led Hikes

Abó Ranger-Led Hike

Visit Headquarters

Visitor Centers

Abó Visitor Center

The Abo visitor center features restrooms, a bookstore, and a few exhibit panels. An oversized vehicle parking lot is around the corner to the north…

Hours: The summer hours (April 1st - October 31st) for the Abó site are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Winter hours (November 1st - March 31st) for the site, trails, and restrooms are daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The site is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Gran Quivira Visitor Center

The Gran Quivira visitor center features restrooms, a bookstore, and a museum featuring artifacts recovered from the site.

Hours: The summer hours (April 1st - October 31st) for the Gran Quivira site are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, and the Visitor Center is closed. Winter hours (November 1st - March 31st) for the site, trails, and restrooms are daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The site is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Headquarters Visitor Center

For the best experience, kick off your visit at the Headquarters visitor center in Mountainair, NM. At this location, you can grab all four passport…

Hours: The summer hours (April 1st - October 31st) for Headquarters are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Winter hours (November 1st - March 31st) for the site are daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The site is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Quarai Visitor Center

The Quarai Visitor Center features restrooms, a bookstore, and a museum. An oversized vehicle parking lot is available prior to entering the main parking lot.

Hours: The summer hours (April 1st - October 31st) for the Quarai site are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Winter hours (November 1st - March 31st) for the site, trails, and restrooms are daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The site is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences

Discover Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument with expert-led tours

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

🏨 Find Hotels Near Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Compare accommodation options for your visit