Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument - Gran Quivira Unit and Visitor Center in
Mountainair (NM)

Surprisingly many intact ruins. However, a lot of the older Pueblo structures are not excavated. Decent introduction of the history of the interactions between the natives, the Spaniards, and the Franciscan priests at the main visitor center.

Educational family outing. A lot to see and take in. We went during a weekday so there were no lines and basically no people. But we also went when it was >80F, and as most of the exhibit is outside you start baking in the sun

Great historical site, has bathrooms and a picnic area. The ranger station is closed for renovations.

Very informative National Park. Park staff were very friendly and answered any and all questions that I had. There are 4 passport cancelation stamps at the front desk area. They are cashless, so make sure you have another way for payment if you wish to purchase anything or make a donation (which is cash only).

Had this place all to ourselves! Very peaceful and very cool to be able to walk through the actual ruins. Posted information was insightful. The visitor center was closed, so no bathrooms, water refill stations, or giftshop available.

Amazing little gem hidden in the NM desert, a unique and well preserved and maintained site. Easy hike, love being able to actually wall in the ruins. Quiet and peaceful the entire time.

Wow! It is amazing to walk around in the remains of such old structures. I loved seeing what was left of an ancient culture. When I think of all the work these people did by hand, I'm in awe. I thought this was a fantastic place to visit. Lots of great sign boards explaining what I was seeing. Check out the visitor center too. The ranger was very helpful and had so much information to share.

This place was a literal ghost town. No one from the National Park Service was there as the visitor center was closed. But the bathrooms were still open fortunately. We were literally the only souls on the site. Kinda added to the edge of civilization feel that the place exudes. Reading the signage, this settlement was basically on the edge of civilization at the time. Not much has changed in a millennia. Very evocative site.

We visited Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Gran Quivira Uni and the Abo Unit today. Both are amazing, so much history and the view from Gran Quivira hilltop is spectacular. Admission was free, and dogs are allowed on the leash.

Nice. Paved trails, informative signs and knowledgeable staff. The ruins are spectacular ??

Beautiful views!! Easy parking, clean bathroom. Short uphill walk to ruins. Easy to access. Visitor center was not open on the day we visited, but well worth the visit. Still able to see the ruins and bathrooms were open and clean. Highly recommend.

We live nearby and go here regularly to hike the 1 mile loop primitive trail. There's also a paved pathway that loops around the main area and to the church ruins

Some tips before you go: • There's some walking, but it's definitely not an arduous hike. • You're far away from any store or fast food joint, so bring a snack. • There's two other ruins in this system not too far away, so plan your day so you can visit all three.

We changed our travel route to visit Salinas and we are so glad we did! Thoroughly enjoyed exploring the ruins and learning about the history of these beautiful places. Worth the stops!

We randomly decided to stop and see this. Omg it was beyond expectations! So gorgeous and the views ? If you enjoy ruins and gorgeous desert landscapes, this is one not to miss!

Unfortunately the site opens at 9AM. This time of the year, it would be nice to be able to get in earlier: not as hot. Also photos are better with a lower sun. I guess I’ll be back in Winter…

Thos is part of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. You have to make sure you see all the pueblos. Each pueblo is unique with a different story. This pueblo is probably the 2nd largest of the 3 we saw. Very impressive and easy to get to. The visitor center was not open, so I was disappointed that I couldn't get the lapel pin we are collecting. The hike around the pueblo is easy and on cement.

A little off the beaten path, but it was an interesting and educational addition to our quick weekend adventure. My son and I enjoyed walking through the ruins and reading the plaques and trying to imagine what life was like there when it was full of people.

It's a definite must-see if you have a Passport book and collecting cancelation stamps. We weren't able to stay very long because of impending storms, but what we saw was really neat. The visitors center is spacious and clean.

Was totally handicap accessible. Ranger directed to walk trail starting to the left, was an easy grade up. Loved looking at the ruins from the past. Much history here.

Gran Quivira was the largest of the Salinas pueblos. When the pueblo was at its largest it housed 1,500 to 2,000 people. Because of its location between the areas where pueblo Indians lived and the areas where the plains Indians lived, Gran Quivira was an important trade center. Today, one can see the ruins of a large church and large kiva, as well as smaller kivas, rooms, etc. There is a good, paved path and many signs explaining what you see. The bathrooms are heated. The visitor center was closed due to COVID. There are a few picnic tables. One comment on directions. From Albuquerque go to About ruins first (from Belen going SE), then to Gran Quivira, then to Quarai ruins to then drive back to Albuquerque on the East side of the Sandias.

It's the dead of winter, amid the year that isn't, with nearly everything closed. The visitor center is closed except for ...the bathrooms which are heated. With flush toilets. It was sunny and cold because of the wind. This place is beautiful and rather different than any others. We will be back when it's warmer. We had a chilly picnic at a table then walked through the ruins.

I think I may have added these images onto another persons review. But I’m not sure. Any rate this is an awesome place. I love how quiet it is and when you go when it opens you have it to yourself for hours. The place is clean and has flushable toilets. The rangers know the history and are friendly. Highly recommend this place along with the other ruins on the Salt mission trail.

Both Quarai and Gran Quivira Mission Ruins were FANTASTIC! The history of this area is AMAZING. The work that went into creating these structures is mind boggling. WELL WORTH a visit! The Gran Quivira site is HUGE... The Quarai Mission site is VERY impressive as well. The Rangers, at both sites, were VERY knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.

You'll find this almost unknown National Monument about 25-miles south of Mountainair, NM. If you wish to stay in the area, the nearest town with hotels and services would be Moriarty, east of Albuquerque on I-40. Its roughly 40-miles. Gran Quivira is one of three missions of the Salinas Pueblo Missions spread across roughly 40-miles, near Mountainair. It is the farthest away at 26-miles. The main Visitor Center is in Mountainair, but each pueblo has its own Ranger Contact Station, with adequate parking and restrooms. Some have picnic areas and even small play places. Construction of the missions began in 1622 with the advent of the Franciscan priests and was completed in 1635 . Gran Quivira was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. In these pueblos, the National Park Service has this pet policy: "Leashed pets are allowed on the trails, provided the owners will clean up any messes the pets might make". We visited Gran Quivira. It is the largest of the three, with 7 kivas and well over 200 rooms, and is only partly reconstructed, including two church ruins. The Franciscans came on order of the Spanish king, who in turn had orders from the Pope to 'christianize' the natives of the New World. None of the three pueblos had a full-time priest, so when the nearest priest travelled to visit on rare occasions, they were known as ‘visitias’. Efforts began in good order on the building of Gran Quivira. The pueblo started out with a good reserve of stored food and became so busy, learning the new language, taking Christian-Catholic classes to learn the new faith, building the second and much larger church, and quarters for the priest to stay in, that they had no time to work in the fields to raise the crops. Since there were three years of food reserves, this was not a problem and they ate into those reserves. Then there was a severe drought which resulted in a famine. By 1670, 70% of the population was dead, (450 at Gran Quivira alone) having starved to death. This ended the construction effort and destroyed the pueblo. Today, the ruins are left for us to see and contemplate this life lifestyle. They are remarkably well -preserved due to the arid climate. There is a paved .05 trail running through the ruins. where one is free to explore at will. Be advised that the sun is very bright and strong and sunburn happens quickly. It is hot and dry and there is no shade. We found the Ranger very helpful and interesting. He obviously loved his work and this isolated place.

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.

Located at the heart of New Mexico, if you are driving from White Sands to the north(Santa Fe), you can choose route 55 and stop at this place. Worth visiting and beautiful view! Very well maintained.