Aztec Ruins
National Monument

Aztec Ruins Aztec Ruins National Monument preserves structures and artifacts of Ancestral Pueblo people from the 1100s through 1200s. People associated with Chaco Canyon to the south built and used the structures, then people related to the Mesa Verde region to the north used the site in the 1200s. The monument was established in 1923, and designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. Acreage: 319.47.

VISITATION:
Highest June through August, lowest December through February. Best time to visit is spring or fall.

LOCATION:
Northwest New Mexico in Aztec

ADDRESS:
Aztec Ruins National Monument
P.O. Box 640
84 County Road 2900
Aztec, New Mexico 87410-0640

TELEPHONE:
(505)334-6174 FAX (505)334-6372
Internet: azru_front_desk@nps.gov

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; rest of the year, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving Day, December 25.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Aztec Ruins NM
Relatively mild winter days, occasional snow, evening temperatures sometimes drop below zero. Summer day temperatures upper 80s and low 90s, cool nights. Summer thundershowers. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes to suit the weather.

DIRECTIONS:
Approximately ½ mile north of US Hwy 550 on Ruins Road (County Road 2900) on the north edge of the city of Aztec. Ruins Road is the first street west of the Animas River bridge on Hwy 550 in Aztec.

TRANSPORTATION:
Use personal vehicles, commercial bus tours, and Farmington airport 15 miles west of the monument where rental cars and taxis are available. Walking trails only within park.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:
Daily entrance fee is $4.00 for adults (17 and older), children are free. Valid 7 days. Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access passports are honored.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Information desk, exhibits, video programs. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association sells books, video tapes, calendars, postcards, slides, and other interpretive items. Picnic area: Shaded with tables, day use only. No fires.

Trails, Roads:
A self guided interpretive trail about 1/4 mile (400 meters) long winds through the West Ruin, a pueblo of 450 interconnected rooms built of stone and mud. Visitors walk through rooms with original roofs and a reconstructed Great Kiva--a partially underground structure once used for community wide activities. Easy trail, but there are some stairs and low doorways. Guide booklets are available for purchase or loan.

Programs/Activities:
Interpretive Programs: Rangers occasionally give talks during summer months. A 25- minute orientation video program is shown throughout the day in the visitor center. Children’s junior ranger program is available.

Educational Outreach: Educational and group tours should notify monument at least three weeks prior to visiting. Teacher activity guide, replica artifact trunk, loaner videos, and other resources are available to teachers

Lodging and camping facilities:
None available at the monument. Motels, hotels, RV and tent camping are available in nearby Aztec, Bloomfield, and Farmington.

Food/Supplies:
None in the monument. Restaurants, service stations, and grocery stores are available in local communities.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities:
None in the monument.

Accessibility:
Visitor center, restrooms, and much of the trail are accessible to wheelchairs. Accessible parking, picnic table, and programs available.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Allow at least one hour to visit the visitor center museum, watch the orientation video, walk the self-guided trail, attend ranger talks in summer, eat in the picnic area.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Educational and group tours should notify monument at least three weeks prior to visiting. Commercial filming and photography and special uses may require a permit. Contact the monument for information.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
One to one and a half hours for individuals and families; longer for groups.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Watch for updates.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Contact the:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Phone (505) 334-6174. TDD users dial this number, then extension 30.
Or write: Superintendent,
Aztec Ruins National Monument,
P.O. Box 640,
Aztec, NM 87410-0640.


Last Updated:Tuesday, 18-Aug-98 11:46:29
http://www.nps.gov/azru/