Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Address:Mountainair, New Mexico
Tel: (505) 847-2585

Spend the afternoon exploring the remains of medieval-style missions and incredible Pueblo and Spanish artifacts at the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument!

The American Indian trade communities of Tiwa- and Tompiro-speaking Pueblos originally inhabited this frontier area of central New Mexico. In the early 17th century, Spanish Franciscans brought their missionary efforts to the community, building up the area and constructing church buildings. Today, visitors can see the beautiful remains of this earliest contact between the natives and Spanish Colonials in the ruins of four mission churches at Quarai, Abó, and Gran Quivira along with the partially excavated pueblo of Las Humanas or Gran Quivira. The monument's 1,100 acres include the Abo ruins, which boast the 40 foot-high ruins of the Mission of San Gregorio de Abo, (a rare example of medieval architecture in the United States), and Quarai which preserves the remains of the Mission of La Purísima Concepción de Cuarac (from 1630). The whole area is family-friendly—a great place for parents and children to explore fascinating Native American history. There is a small museum in the visitor center that has a scale model of the original church, along with a selection of artifacts found at the site. There's also a great 40 minute movie about the excavation of some 200 rooms, and another short history video worth watching.

The park visitor center is in Mountainair, one block west of the U.S. 60 and NM 55 junction. You'll have a great time experiencing the rich Native American history of New Mexico!