Pecos National Historical Park - Frequently Asked Questions (U.S. National Park Service)

Drawing by Lawerence Ormsby

Pecos Pueblo

Q: Is there camping in the Park
A: No. Camping is not available in the park. Campgrounds are located in the Santa Fe National Forest just north of the park on NM highway 63. For more information, contact: Pecos District Ranger Station, Box 429, Pecos, NM 87552 or call (505)757-6121.

Q: Is the Glorietta Battlefield open to the Public?
A: Yes. The Civil War Battlefied is open to the public. Please contact the visitor center for more information about entry to the battlefield

Q: Where is the Glorieta Battlefield?
A:The Pigeon Ranch Unit of the Glorieta Battlefield is located on NM 50 approximately 4 miles northwest of the Park Visitor Center.

Q: When was the Visitor Center built?
A: Construction of the E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center began in 1983 and opened to the public in August of 1984.

Q: What is the park’s connection with the actress Greer Garson?
A: Greer and her husband Col. E.E. “Buddy” Fogelson owned and operated the Forked Lighting Ranch surrounding the original Park property. Over the years the Fogelson’s contributed both financial and physical resources to the park.

Q: What is the difference between a National Historical Park and a National Monument?
A: National Monument: The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorized the President to declare by public proclamation landmarks, structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest situated on lands owned or controlled by the government to be national monuments
National Historical Park: This designation generally applies to historic parks that extend beyond single properties or buildings. It requires an act of Congress.

With the acquisition of the Forked Lighting Ranch and Glorieta Battlefield units, Pecos National Monument became the Pecos National Historical Park in 1990.

Q: What is the park’s connection with Jemez Pueblo?
A:The descendants of the final residents in Pecos Pueblo now live in Jemez. The governing body of the Pecos Pueblo is, to this day, in close consultation with the Pecos National Historical Park.

Q: What time does the park open and close?
A: In summer, the park hours are 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (Memorial Day through Labor Day); in winter the park hours are 8:00am – 5:00pm, visitor center hours are 8:00am-4:30pm (Labor Day through Memorial Day).

Q: Is the park on old Route 66?
A: From 1926 to 1937 Route 66 followed the Old Pecos Trail from Santa Rosa through Pecos to Santa Fe. In 1937 the governor of New Mexico lost the re-election. Blaming politicians in Santa Fe he, in a last act of defiance, re-routed Highway 66 to Albuquerque and bypassed Santa Fe altogether.

Q: Where does the name Pecos come from?
A: The name Pecos first appears in Spanish records in the late 1500’s. The name arrives from the Keresan word pe’kush. To the Spanish the word sounded as Pecos and from that point on that is the name used to refer to the area.

Q: What does Pueblo mean?
A: Pueblo is a Spanish word meaning village or town.

Q: Where did the natives get their water?
A:The Glorieta Creek which runs to the west of the Pueblo was the primary source of water for the natives. However, numerous springs in and around the Pueblo would have also been used as a water source.

Q: Does this Golden Age Pass work here?
A: Yes. The Golden Age/Senior Pass is valid for entrance fees in all federal recreation areas. Pecos is a National Park Service Unit and accepts all varieties of the National Pass Program including the Golden Age/Senior Pass.

Q: Where is the gas station?
A: The village of Pecos has a number of gas stations. The village is located only 2 miles from the park visitor center.

Q: Are there any restaurants nearby?
A: The village of Pecos boasts numerous restaurants to meet the tastes of every visitor. The village is located only 2 miles from the park visitor center.

Q: How often do you see rattlesnakes?
A: Rattlesnake sightings are reported two to three times a week during spring, summer and fall months. Generally rattlesnakes are not aggressive. If you come upon one, give it room to retreat and do not harass it.