Mountainair

salinas pueblo missions national monument

+1 505 847-2585, (http://www.nps.gov/sapu). Summer hours 9AM-6PM daily, winter hours 9AM-5PM daily. Free.

The Salinas Pueblo Missions are a series of ruins of several Native American villages and Spanish missions dating back to Spanish colonial times, which were later abandoned. The monument is composed of three sites: Abo, Quarai, and Gran Quivira. All three showcase the remains of impressive Spanish missions and the partially excavated Native American villages alongside them. All three sites also have a small ranger station and gift shop, where you can learn about the history of the site and purchase trail guides.

Visitor Center
Mountainair. The headquarters for the park, the visitor center in the town of Mountainair has exhibits of various archaeological items from the ruins as well as park information.
Abo Ruins
located 9 miles west of Mountainair, just off US-60. Abo preserves the remnants of a tall Spanish mission and the connecting structure, set against the scenic backdrop of the Manzano Mountains. A half-mile trail circles through some nearby mounds; the unexcavated remains of a pueblo.
Quarai Ruins
located 8 miles north of Mountainair, just off NM-55. At Quarai is the most complete church in the whole monument - an impressive structure that towers above the visitor who walks through its remains. The half-mile loop trail also passes by unexcavated mounds and a small creek. A small museum is located at the ranger station.
Gran Quivira
located 25 miles south of Mountainair, just off NM-55. Gran Quivira is the largest of the three sites; the remains of a pueblo village also known as Las Humanas. The half-mile trail loops through the large, partially excavated pueblo and through the ruins of two Spanish missions.