salinas-pueblo-missions | NM | Find park

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.

Physical Address:

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

105 South Ripley Avenue

Mountainair, NM 87036-0517

Mailing Address:

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

PO Box 517

Mountainair, NM 87036-0517

contact-details

Phone Number: 5058472585 Voice

Email Address: sapu_interp@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

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.

park designation:National Monument

Directions:

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Abó

The Abó Visitor Center includes a bookstore and restrooms. There is a short trail through the 17th century Mission of San Gregorio de Abó, and another short trail around the Spanish resettlement structures. During the summer (June 1-October 31), the visitor center, trails and restrooms at Abó are open daily 9:00am-5:00pm. During the winter (November 1-May 31), the Abó Visitor Center is open Thursday-Monday 9:00am-4:00pm. Trails and restrooms are open daily from 9:00am-4:00pm.

Exceptions:

Summer Site Hours (June 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024)

Juneteenth Day (June 19, 2024 - June 19, 2024)

Labor Day (September 2, 2024 - September 2, 2024)

Winter Site Hours (November 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024)

Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Quarai

The Quarai Visitor Center includes a museum, restrooms, and a bookstore. A small parking lot makes mid to large RV turnaround difficult. Please park in the gravel lot on hill above the parking lot. During the summer (June 1-October 31), the trails, restrooms, and visitor center are open daily from 9:00am-5:00pm. During the winter (November 1-May 31), trails and restrooms are open daily from 9:00am-4:00pm. The Quarai Visitor Center is open Thursday-Tuesday from 9:00am-4:00pm.

Exceptions:

Summer Site Hours (June 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024)

Juneteenth Day (June 19, 2024 - June 19, 2024)

Independence Day (July 4, 2024 - July 4, 2024)

Labor Day (September 2, 2024 - September 2, 2024)

Columbus Day (October 7, 2024 - October 7, 2024)

Winter Site Hours (November 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024)

Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Years Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Gran Quivira

The Gran Quivira Visitor Center includes restrooms, museum, and a bookstore. There is ample parking, and the large parking lot allows for easy RV turnaround. During the summer (June 1-October 31), trails and restrooms are open daily from 9am-5pm; the visitor center is open Thursday-Monday from 9am-5pm. During the winter (November 1-May 31), trails and restrooms are open daily from 9am-4pm with the visitor center closed.

Exceptions:

Summer Site Hours (June 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024)

Juneteenth Day (June 19, 2024 - June 19, 2024)

Independence Day (July 4, 2024 - July 4, 2024)

Labor Day (September 2, 2024 - September 2, 2024)

Winter Site Hours (November 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024)

Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Years Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Headquarters

During the summer season (June 1-October 31), the Main Visitor Center in Mountainair is open daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. During the winter season (Nov 1-April 30), the Main Visitor Center in Mountainair is open Thursday-Monday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. A 14-minute park movie is shown, on demand, at the headquarters. The visitor center includes a museum, restrooms, and gift store. All park sites closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Exceptions:

Summer Site Hours (June 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024)

Labor Day (September 2, 2024 - September 2, 2024)

Columbus Day (October 7, 2024 - October 7, 2024)

Winter Site Hours (November 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024)

Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Weather Information:

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.