El Morro National Monument — Attraction in Eastern Navajo Agency

I expect a lot of people on longer drives consider stopping by, and most don’t. I finally had a little extra time in my route this trip and decided to swing by. We saw online that the hours started at 9, but we thought we’d be able to hike early because we didn’t need the visitor center for anything. We waited outside the gate from 8:15 until a few minutes after 9am, what hung several apparently staff cars driving in, and they finally got around to opening the gate a few minutes after 9am. We did the headlands hike, which they said was about 2.2 miles, and that sounds about right. They say it takes 2 hours and we did it in about 52 minutes including time to stop and read every sign. You can catch the inscription loop at the end of the headlands hike. The inscriptions are mostly non-indigenous people writing their names and the date, along the lines of “so and so was here,” with a few petroglyphs here and there. There’s a little pool in a corner at the base that never dries up and explains why so many people made their way here. There’s a brick building foundation at the top that I think the sign said was built in the 1200-1400 CE range. I think for the headlands hike you do about 400 feet of ascent, with a lot of carved and cement stairs. The trail in the rocks can be tricky because in some places you’re looking for parallel scratches in the rock, like tracks.

There’s plenty of parking. There’s no water station outside, and maybe there’s one inside, but they had the doors closed during COVID. They said the only way to fill up on water was in the bathroom sink, but that water was...

El Morro National Monument in New Mexico is a unique and fascinating destination for visitors. The monument is located in western New Mexico, near the town of Ramah, and is known for its towering sandstone cliffs and its wealth of historic inscriptions and petroglyphs.

The main attraction at El Morro is the Inscription Trail, a 2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors past hundreds of inscriptions and petroglyphs that have been carved into the sandstone over the centuries. The inscriptions date back to the early 1600s and include signatures, dates, and messages left by Spanish conquistadors, soldiers, and settlers, as well as Native Americans and others who passed through the area.

In addition to the Inscription Trail, El Morro also offers several other hiking trails that showcase the natural beauty of the area, including the Headland Trail, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and the Sandstone Bluffs Trail, which winds through a forest of juniper trees and offers views of the sandstone cliffs from below.

Other highlights at El Morro include a visitor center with exhibits on the history and culture of the area, a picnic area, and a campground. The monument is open year-round, although some facilities may be closed during the winter months.

Overall, a visit to El Morro National Monument is a great way to experience the unique history and natural beauty of New Mexico, and is a must-see destination for anyone interested in archaeology, history, or...

You know… in a country where nothing is truly that “old”.., having signatures from fellers that have been on the walls of this monument since before we were a country are pretty dang cool. It’s a pleasant walk for those who don’t mind a stroll in the cooler mountain air. An opportunity to soak in the majestic sand and cedars that this country is known for… Only about an hour or so jump off the interstate, it’s worth the jaunt. Take a little more time and see the ruins up on top… it’s worth it, and the view will take a permanent residency in your mind. Oh, and don’t forget, just miles down the highway headed west, take a run into the land of the Zuni tribe… see the living ancestors of the once numerous Pueblo tribes of ancient days… as friendly of people you will ever meet.., and some of the last artisans who remain known for their silversmithing and jewelry making abilities. Stop in to ALL the shops, you will find something you like. Lastly, ask around… don’t you dare leave the Zuni village until you have seen the Old Zuni Mission with your own eyes. Sadly it has fallen into much disrepair, but is STILL a site to behold, and if I’m not mistaken, one of the oldest Christian churches in the continental US. What a trip, and easily done in...