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PO Box 517, Corner of Broadway and Ripley, Mountainair, NM 87036
Phone: 505-847-2585 or 505-847-2586
Fax: 505-847-2441
Open All Year
Overview. When the Spanish came to the Salinas Valley in the early 17th century, they found Native Americans living in pueblos, growing crops, and living in harmony with nature. At Abo Pueblo, populated by the Tompiro Indians as early as 1150, and at Quarai Pueblo, settled by Tiwa-speaking Indians around 1300, they built their mission churches adjacent to the ancient native sites. At Gran Quivira Pueblo, they built two mission churches. Eventually, drought, famine, disease, and marauding tribes drove out Spanish and Puebloan alike, and all three pueblos were abandoned in the late 1670s. The mission churches remain the best examples of their type in the U.S., and the ancient pueblo at Gran Quivira is remarkably well-preserved.
What to see and do. Park headquarters in Mountainair, with its interpretive displays and video about the pueblo sites, is an excellent place to begin your visit. From there, continue on to one or all of the pueblos. There are half-hour, self-guided walking tours of each site, and rangers are available at the individual visitor centers. There are also picnic areas at each site. If you visit Gran Quivira Pueblo, take in the interpretive exhibits and archaeological displays, and be sure to browse through the bookstore. The visitor center at Quarai Pueblo has a model of the original mission and a collection of Native American and Spanish artifacts. The visitor center at Abo also has a model of the original mission, a handcarved statue of San Gregorio, and an art collection depicting the Salinas story.
The visitor center in Mountainair is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each pueblo site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter, and to 6 p.m. in summer. The entire monument is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Leashed pets are permitted.
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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