Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument - Gran Quivira Unit

Nice and fairly well-preserved Spanish-era ruins of a settlement. Note this is NOT the primary visitor center, which is located about half an hour north in the actual town of Mountainair. This is one of three remote units of the park. There is a small visitor's center and a National Parks Passport stamp on site, though the park orientation film is not shown here. I have submitted a map edit to Google to adjust the name to reflect that this is the Gran Quivira site and not the main National Monument site, but as of 5/16/18, it has not yet been approved.
4 7 years ago (16-05-2018)

Really impressive ruins. There was a pueblo here before the Spanish arrived in the early 1600’s, built of rock rather than adobe. The setting is great - highest point for miles around with great views in all directions, easy to see why they chose it. Water was always a problem, and a drought in the years around 1670 caused it’s final abandonment. Really off the beaten path but a beautiful part of New Mexico.
5 7 years ago (28-03-2018)

The mystery you feel growing when visiting this site and exploring is explained very well on the NPS website. You learn so much about the indigenous and colonial history of the site and region from a visit here and some additional reading. Worth the detour or trip out!
5 7 years ago (10-04-2018)

Excellent park. The 3 missions are very interesting to visit. The 3 different missions are not too far from each other and the drive to them is very pretty. Each mission is different and merits each own visit. The trails to the missions are easy to walk . Each mission has nice has also a nice visitor center. Lots of history here.
5 7 years ago (26-11-2017)

It was an experience to walk such a calm and beautiful place. We enjoyed it.
5 7 years ago (16-03-2018)