Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in New Mexico.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Quarai Ranger-Led Hikes (30 to 60 Minutes): Quarai Ranger-Led Hikes
• Visit Quarai (30 to 120 Minutes): Visit Quarai
• Visit Gran Quivira (30 to 120 Minutes): Visit Gran Quivira
• Visit Abó (30 to 120 Minutes): Visit Abó
• Abó Ranger-Led Hikes (30 to 60 Minutes): Abó Ranger-Led Hike
• Visit Headquarters (15 to 45 Minutes): Visit Headquarters

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is open 7 days a week year-round except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Hours for the Mountainair Headquarters Visitor Center and Abó, Quarai and Gran Quivira Units are 9:00AM to 5:00PM daily, year-round. For Visitor Center Hours for Abó, Quarai and Gran Quivira Units, please click the Visitor Centers tab below.

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.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Abó Visitor Center: Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The summer hours (April 1st - October 31st) for the Abó Visitor Center are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Thursday through Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
• [Gran Quivira Visitor Center](): Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The summer hours (April 1st - October 31st) for the Gran Quivira Visitor Center are 9:00 am to 5:00pm Thursday through Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
• [Headquarters Visitor Center](): Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The Mountainair Headquarters Visitor Center hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, year-round. All park units and visitor centers are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
• [Quarai Visitor Center](): Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The summer hours (April 1st - October 31st) for the Quarai Visitor Center are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Thursday through Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

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. 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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is White Sands, about 109 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.