Aztec Ruins National Monument

Address:84 County Road 2900 ("Ruins Road")
Aztec, New Mexico
Tel: (505) 334-6174

Come see one of the most impressive structures of the Pueblo people at the Aztec Ruins National Monument in San Juan County, New Mexico. The Aztec Ruins National Monument is a mostly intact massive building dating back to the 11th century. Today, visitors can tour the magnificent structure left at the Aztec Ruins National Monument.

Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, the building that composes the Aztec Ruins National Monument is actually from the Pueblo culture. Attributing the ruins to the Aztecs dates back to mid-19th century American settlers. The ruins of the Aztec Ruins National Monument themselves are from a three story tall building the length of a football field with 500 rooms, including a 40 foot in diameter ceremonial "Great Kiva." On December 8, 1987, the Aztec Ruins National Monument was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites as part of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

Today, visitors can experience the Aztec Ruins National Monument on a variety of levels. The half mile, self-guided walk through the main ruin exposes visitors to the Aztec Ruins National Monument to the skillful stone masonry of the site and remarkably well preserved wood roofing, as well as the Great Kiva, a semi-subterranean religious structure at the end of the tour. Rangers at the Aztec Ruins National Monument offer interpretive talks, lectures, and demonstrations of traditional American Indian crafts. Finally, the visitor center offers a museum featuring a variety of ancient artifacts excavated at the Aztec Ruins National Monument, as well as a 25 minute video about the pre-Columbian history of the area. After touring the Aztec Ruins National Monument, visitors can find plenty of options for food in the nearby cities of Aztec, Bloomfield or Farmington, New Mexico.

To get to the Aztec Ruins National Monument, visitors should take New Mexico Highway 516, then turn north onto Ruins Road. Visit the Aztec Ruins National Monument and experience the wonder of America's ancient cultures!