From 1851 to 1891, Fort Union functioned as an agent of change, desired or not, in the New Mexico Territory and throughout the Southwest.
Photo: Ron Harvey - Fort Union National Monument
Fort Union National Monument
Exposed to the wind, within a sweeping valley of short grass prairie, and along the eroded Santa Fe Trail, lie the adobe walled ruins of the largest 19th century military fort in the region.
- LocationWatrous, NM
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursDaily, 8:00AM - 4:00PM
- Alerts 2 active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Archeology
- Civil War
- Forts
- Hispanic American Heritage
- Hospital
- Indian and Frontier Wars
- Medicine
- Military
4 more topics
- Ruins
- US Army
- Wars and Conflicts
- Westward Expansion
Alerts (2)
InformationThe Park is Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day each year. Fort Union National Monument is CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day each year. The closure inc… Read more
Fort Union National Monument is CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day each year. The closure includes all park grounds and facilities.
InformationNew Mexico Road Advisories The New Mexico Department of Transportation updates its map of road advisories regularly. Visitors are encouraged to loo… Read more
The New Mexico Department of Transportation updates its map of road advisories regularly. Visitors are encouraged to look for any possible road advisories along their route of travel beforehand.
Things to Do
7 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Fort Union National Monument Visitor Center
Facility
The Visitor Center is currently open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Handicapped parking spaces for standard sized vehicles are available in the Visitor Center parking area. Several…
3115 NM Highway 161, Watrous, NM (505) 425-8025 Directions
Details
The Visitor Center is currently open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Handicapped parking spaces for standard sized vehicles are available in the Visitor Center parking area. Several "oversized" parking spaces in the parking lot can accommodate campers, buses, and large RV's.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 8:00AM - 4:00PM · Fort Union National Monument Operating Hours
Hours details
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Fort Union National Monument Operating HoursDaily, 8:00AM - 4:00PM
The monument grounds and visitor center are generally open 7 days a week, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The monument is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day.
Monday 8:00AM - 4:00PM Tuesday 8:00AM - 4:00PM Wednesday 8:00AM - 4:00PM Thursday 8:00AM - 4:00PM Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM Saturday 8:00AM - 4:00PM Sunday 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
3115 NM Highway 161Watrous, NM 87753
Contact the park
Upcoming Events
10 coming up-
Silent Sentinels
About
Starting at the visitor center, this staff-led program goes ½ mile to both the second and third forts. 45 to 60-minutes.
All programs are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or limited staffing.
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Silent Sentinels
About
Starting at the visitor center, this staff-led program goes ½ mile to both the second and third forts. 45 to 60-minutes.
All programs are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or limited staffing.
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Of Smoke & Powder
About
60-minute programs with cannons, small arms and firing demonstrations.
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Silent Sentinels
About
Starting at the visitor center, this staff-led program goes ½ mile to both the second and third forts. 45 to 60-minutes.
All programs are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or limited staffing.
Show 6 more events
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A Ghost Story
About
Good stories don’t have to be true! Join staff for a peculiar Fort Union tale told around a campfire followed by a lantern tour. 90 minutes.
(Historic area only open for this tour’s participants after 4:00 pm on this date)
Gates will reopen at 5:00 pm, and close at 7:30 pm.
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Silent Sentinels
About
Starting at the visitor center, this staff-led program goes ½ mile to both the second and third forts. 45 to 60-minutes.
All programs are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or limited staffing.
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Ruins Walk
About
A 60 to 90-minutes, 1-mile journey that enters the ruins, discussing history, fort preservation efforts, and the importance of concentrated impact.
(Tour enters rough, unlevel terrain. Park provided reflective vest is required to be worn)
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Silent Sentinels
About
Starting at the visitor center, this staff-led program goes ½ mile to both the second and third forts. 45 to 60-minutes.
All programs are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or limited staffing.
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Santa Fe Trail Stroll
About
This guided interpretive walk follows beside the historic trail to the park’s northern boundary and back covering about 2-miles. 90 minutes.
(Tour enters rough, unlevel terrain. Park provided reflective vest is required to be worn)
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Silent Sentinels
About
Starting at the visitor center, this staff-led program goes ½ mile to both the second and third forts. 45 to 60-minutes.
All programs are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or limited staffing.
Photos
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Located on the monument grounds is the world's largest collection of Territorial-Style adobe remanants. — Fort Union National Monument -
Getting There
Watrous, NM 87753
Fort Union National Monument is located in the Northeastern portion of the state of New Mexico. 8 miles off of Interstate I-25 on State Highway NM 161. New Mexico: From Albuquerque (156 miles), Santa Fe (94 miles) or Las Vegas, NM (28 miles) take I-25 North, exit 366 at Watrous, 8 miles on NM 161.
Full directions
Colorado: From Denver (313 miles), Colorado Springs (243 miles) or Raton (95 miles) take I-25 South, exit 366 at Watrous, 8 miles on NM 161.
Mailing address: PO Box 127, Watrous, NM 87753
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