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El Morro National Monument, New Mexico. El Morro National Monument
HC61, Box 43
Ramah, New Mexico 87321-9603
Phone: 505-783-4226
 Topics
 Overview

On a main east-west trail, dating from antiquity, rises a great sandstone promontory with a pool of water at its base. The Zuni Indians, whose Puebloan ancestors lived here, call it Atsinna—"place of writings on the rock." The Spaniards called it El Morro—The Headland. Anglo-Americans called it Inscription Rock. Over the centuries those who traveled this trail stopped to camp at the shaded oasis under the cliffs. They left carved evidence of their passage—symbols, names, dates, and fragments of their stories that register the cultures and history intermingled on the rock. El Morro National Monument was established in 1906.

Area: 1,278 acres
Elevation: 7,219 feet
Fees: There is a $3.00 entrance fee for every individual 16 and over. Children under 16 are free.
Hours: Open year round, every day, except December 25 and January 1.
Visitor Center: Open daily. Hours vary with the seasons.
Facilities: Visitor Center, book store, restrooms, drinking water, picnic area, campground.
Directions: The Monument is 125 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. From Interstate 40 at Grants (42 miles): go southwest on New Mexico 53 to the Monument entrance. From I-40 at Gallup (56 miles): go south on New Mexico 602, then east on New Mexico 53 through Ramah to the Monument entrance.
Coordinates: Map Coordinates (NAD83): 35 02.303N; 108 20.913W.
Weather: Expect hot, dry weather in summer, with afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Temperatures can dip well below freezing in winter.
 
Regulations:
Precautions:
  • Rattlers and other snakes are occasionally seen in the area, from April through November. If you see one, do not disturb it, but do report its location to a uniformed employee.
  • Unexpected lighting storms can occur throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Visitors walking the Mesa Top during these episodes should seek shelter in the Visitor Center. Do not attempt to wait out storms under trees or rock shelters.
  • Commercial trucks frequent Highway 53. Exercise caution when turning onto and off of the highway.
  • See Backcountry Considerations.
  • See Backcountry Emergencies.
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El Morro National Monument, New Mexico.
 Landmarks
Within the Monument
Check our personal notes for details about these points of interest:
  • Atsinna Pueblo Ruins
  • Inscription Rock
  • Petroglyphs
  • The Pool
Near the Monument
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 Maps
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 Books and Resources
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 Related Sites

Note: Remember to bookmark this site before you venture off down these side trails. They lead to other Web sites that we do not control. We cannot vouch for the content on, nor do we endorse, these sites. The following links are only intended to assist you in your quest for further related information. If you discover a broken link, or a link with inappropriate content, or know of a link that should be listed here, please let us know.

El Morro National Monument
DesertUSA site.

El Morro National Monument
Wikipedia site.

El Morro National Monument Out and Back Ride

El Morro National Monument, Zuni Mountains, New Mexico


More Outside Links
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This page was last updated Saturday, October 18, 2008
   
 
   
 
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