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.
Photo: NPS Photo
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.
- LocationMountainair, NM
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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Weather now65°F Sunny
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Archeology
- Architecture and Building
- Arts
- Astronomy
- Birds
- Cavalry
- Churches
30 more topics
- Colonization and Settlement
- Commerce
- Dinosaur
- Farming and Agriculture
- Foothills, Plains and Valleys
- Fossils and Paleontology
- Geology
- Hispanic American Heritage
- Indian and Frontier Wars
- Latino American Heritage
- Mexican War
- Migrations
- Military
- Missions
- Mountains
- Native American Heritage
- Natural Sounds
- Night Sky
- Painting
- Photography
- Plateaus and Mesas
- Religion and Spirituality
- Roads, Routes and Highways
- Ruins
- Scenic Views
- Trade
- Trails
- Transportation
- Unique Species
- Wars and Conflicts
Things to Do
6 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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Abó Ranger-Led Hikes
Abó Ranger-Led Hike
Learn more about Abó Ranger-Led Hikes on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Quarai Ranger-Led Hikes
Quarai Ranger-Led Hikes
Learn more about Quarai Ranger-Led Hikes on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
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Visit Gran Quivira
Visit Gran Quivira
Learn more about Visit Gran Quivira on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Visit Headquarters
Visit Headquarters
Learn more about Visit Headquarters on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Showing 6 of 6
All 15 activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Watching
- Stargazing
- Astronomy
- Guided Tours
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Picnicking
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Food
- Front-Country Hiking
Show 3 more activities
Facilities & Services
Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Visitor Centers
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Gran Quivira Visitor Center
Visitor Center
The Gran Quivira visitor center features restrooms, a bookstore, and a museum featuring artifacts recovered from the site.
Details
The Gran Quivira visitor center features restrooms, a bookstore, and a museum featuring artifacts recovered from the site. -
Headquarters Visitor Center
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 stamps from the…
Details
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 stamps from the park, watch a fifteen-minute film about the area, check out the museum, and shop at the WNPA bookstore. After that, get ready to explore Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira. You're in for a day full of adventure and discovery! -
Quarai Visitor Center
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.
Details
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.
Other Visitor Services
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Abó Visitor Center
Facility
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 of the visitor…
Abo Ruins Visitor Center, Mountainair, NM (505) 847-2400 Directions
Details
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 of the visitor center.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Headquarters, Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira
Hours details
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Headquarters, Abó, Quarai, and Gran QuiviraDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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 9:00AM 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.
Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, 105 South Ripley AvenueMountainair, NM 87036-0517
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
65°F
Sunny · feels like 50°
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Today
69° 52°
Sunny2% rain
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Tomorrow
66° 50°
Sunny1% rain
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Thursday
63° 41°
Sunny2% rain
Updated 1 hr ago
What to expect by season
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. Summer highs are above 90°F/32°C with cool evenings. The months of June-September often have thunderstorms. Flash flooding may occur in the area. Abó is especially prone to road closures as a result. Spring highs average 75°F/24°C. Fall temperatures are a little cooler. High winds often occur, which may result in trail closures.
Upcoming Events
6 coming up-
Quarai Ranger-Guided Hikes
About
Join our park rangers for a guided hike at Quarai every Friday at 11:00 a.m. These 45‑minute walks are open to everyone — no reservation needed. Bring plenty of water, pack a snack, wear sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather. Along the way, rangers will share stories about the region’s layered cultural history, local wildlife, and other fascinating features of the landscape.
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Gran Quivira Ranger-Guided Hikes
About
Join our park rangers for a guided hike at Gran Quivira every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. These 45‑minute walks are open to everyone — no reservation needed. Bring plenty of water, pack a snack, wear sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather. Along the way, rangers will share stories about the region’s layered cultural history, local wildlife, and other fascinating features of the landscape.
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Abó Ranger-Guided Hikes
About
Join our park rangers for a guided hike at Abó every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. These 45‑minute walks are open to everyone — no reservation needed. Bring plenty of water, pack a snack, wear sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather. Along the way, rangers will share stories about the region’s layered cultural history, local wildlife, and other fascinating features of the landscape.
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Ethnobotany Nature Walk at Quarai!
About
Join us for this guided walk as we explore native plants found along the Quarai landscape and the important roles they have played throughout history. Led by the Salinas Pueblo Missions Tribal Communities Engagement Intern, participants will learn about the traditional medicinal and practical uses of these plants, as well as the cultural knowledge that surrounds them.
Ethnobotanical knowledge continues to be practiced today, passed down through generations and reflects the enduring relationship between people, the land, and its resources. During this trail program, participants will learn to identify nine plants and explore their traditional uses. The program will also include an overview of the traditional Three Sisters planting method.
As we walk along the trail, we will discuss how the people who lived in the Salinas region hundreds of years ago likely relied on many of these plants in similar ways. Participants are invited to learn about and share knowledge of plant uses. This family-friendly program is open to all ages. Pets are welcome, and the paved trail is wheelchair accessible, providing an inclusive opportunity to explore the rich relationship between people and plants at the Quarai Unit.
Show 2 more events
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2026 BARK in the Park Hike!
About
Join Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and the Friends of Mountainair Animal Shelter (FOMAS) for another BARK in the Park Hike! Just like our Junior and Senior Ranger activities, the BARK Ranger program lets your furry friends join the adventure and earn their ranger status too!
We're excited to welcome our partners from FOMAS as they share information about their organization. So, join our BARK ambassadors as they support the 2026 BARK Ranger Program, learn about dog etiquette at the park, and help spread dog adoption awareness!
Programs include:
- 10AM – 12PM — Ranger-led Trail Hike with your furry friends!
Bring your pup and join the fun!
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Ethnobotany Nature Walk at Quarai!
About
Join us for this guided walk as we explore native plants found along the Quarai landscape and the important roles they have played throughout history. Led by the Salinas Pueblo Missions Tribal Communities Engagement Intern, participants will learn about the traditional medicinal and practical uses of these plants, as well as the cultural knowledge that surrounds them.
Ethnobotanical knowledge continues to be practiced today, passed down through generations and reflects the enduring relationship between people, the land, and its resources. During this trail program, participants will learn to identify nine plants and explore their traditional uses. The program will also include an overview of the traditional Three Sisters planting method.
As we walk along the trail, we will discuss how the people who lived in the Salinas region hundreds of years ago likely relied on many of these plants in similar ways. Participants are invited to learn about and share knowledge of plant uses. This family-friendly program is open to all ages. Pets are welcome, and the paved trail is wheelchair accessible, providing an inclusive opportunity to explore the rich relationship between people and plants at the Quarai Unit.
Photos
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An annular eclipse was visible from Gran Quivira in 2012. A special program allowed visitors to experience this amazing celestial event. — NPS Photo -
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Getting There
Mountainair, NM 87036-0517
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.
Full directions
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.
Mailing address: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Mountainair, NM 87036-0517
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