Winter hours begin on October 20, 2024: the visitor center and park trails will be open five days a week, from Thursday through Monday. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There is no trail access when the visitor center is closed. More
Stage II Fire Restrictions will be in effect beginning Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Due to high fire danger, El Morro will implement Stage II Fire Restrictions. These include no campfires. No smoking except in an enclosed vehicle or other authorized area.
El Morro National Monument weaves a colorful tapestry of the history of New Mexico. Hundreds of petroglyphs bear witness to the lives of ancestral Puebloans. Archaic Spanish inscriptions proclaim "paso por aqui" (I passed by here). Other inscriptions mark the journeys of early American pioneers, western emigrants, soldiers and railroad surveyors.
High above the surrounding valley, the ancestral pueblo of Atsinna stands silent watch. Built around 1275 CE, the pueblo gave rise to a busy, thriving community. Today its remnant rooms and walls provide a glimpse into the past and a tie to the Zuni homeland.
Explore the history at El Morro by hiking along the Inscription Loop or Headland Trail. Stop in the visitor center to learn more about the trails, explore exhibits, or talk to a ranger.
Mile Marker 44.6 Hwy 53 Ramah, NM87321
From Albuquerque, NM, or from the east: take Interstate 40 west to Grants. At exit 81, go south on Highway 53 for 42 miles to El Morro National Monument. From Flagstaff, AZ, or from the west: take Interstate 40 east to Gallup. At exit 20, go south on Highway 602 for about 31 miles. Turn east (left) onto Highway 53. El Morro is 25 more miles.
Winter Hours (effective October 20): closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
* * Please Note: If you wish to hike the park trails, please plan to arrive before 4:00 pm to walk the Inscription Loop Trail, and before 3:00 pm to hike the longer, more strenuous Headland Trail. The park trails are not accessible when the Visitor Center is not open.
Portions of the park trails, including all of the Headland Trail, may be closed during the winter months because of ice and snow. For current trail conditions, call 505-783-4226 x801
Park Campground
The campground is open year round, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis.
All Park Hours
Closed today
Sunday and Monday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday:Closed
Thursday-Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Winter Hours are in effect (October 20, 2024 - May 23, 2025). Park visitor center and trails open 5 days/week, Thursday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Trail access begins at 9:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm (Headland Trail) and 4:00 pm (Inscription Loop Trail). There is no access to park trails when the visitor center is closed.
Summer Hours (May 24, 2025 - September 30, 2025) Park visitor center and trails open 7 days/week.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Summer Hours
May 24–September 30
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
May 24, 2025 - September 30, 2025
The visitor center and park trails are open 7 days/week. Trail access begins at 9:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm (Headland Trail) and 4:00 pm (Inscription Loop Trail).
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Juneteenth National Independence Day
June 19, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Independence Day
July 4, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Labor Day
September 1, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
At an elevation of 7,219 feet (2200 meters) winters can be cold and snowy. Summers are warm with afternoon thunder showers from mid-July through mid-September. Trails can close unexpectedly due to severe weather.
Average snowfall: 40 inches per year.
Average precipitation (snowmelt and rain): 16 inches per year.
Warmest month: July, with average highs of 84 degrees and lows of 52 degrees.
Coldest months: December and January, with average lows of 14-15 degrees, and average highs of 44-45 degrees.
Entrance Fee-free
This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.
Your visit to El Morro National Monument begins here. Park rangers and volunteers are available to answer your questions and orient you to the facilities and self-guided trails. Both of the park trails begin at the visitor center.
Closed today
Current Hours (Winter Hours)
October 20–May 31
Sunday and Monday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday:Closed
Thursday-Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Oct 20, 2024 to May 31, 2025
El Morro Visitor Center will be open 5 days a week, Thursday - Monday.
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Hours of operation: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mountain.
Trail access ends at 3 pm (Headland Trail) and 4 pm (Inscription Loop)
Standard Hours
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Summer Hours (in effect until October 19, 2024)
El Morro Visitor Center is open seven days a week. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Mountain Time.
Entry to the Headland Trail ends at 3:00 pm.
Entry to the Inscription Loop Trail ends at 4:00 pm.
Winter Hours (October 20, 2024 - May 31, 2025)
Beginning October 20, the visitor center will be open five days a week from Thursday - Monday. Closed on Tue/Wed.
The visitor center and park trails are closed on these major holidays: Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Winter Hours
October 20–May 31
Sunday and Monday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday:Closed
Thursday-Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Oct 20, 2024 to May 31, 2025
El Morro Visitor Center will be open 5 days a week, Thursday - Monday.
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Hours of operation: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mountain.
Trail access ends at 3 pm (Headland Trail) and 4 pm (Inscription Loop)
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is not available.
There is no public WiFi available within any area or building of El Morro National Monument. Cellular service is highly variable or non-existent based on carrier and location. Check with your provider to verify coverage. Areas without coverage exist throughout the region.
