Around 1100 A.D. ancestral Pueblo people embarked on an ambitious building project along the Animas River in northwestern New Mexico. In less than three decades they built a monumental “great house.” Aztec West stands three-stories high, stretches longer than a football field and once had as many as 500-rooms including a ceremonial “great kiva” over 40-feet in diameter.
A short trail winds through room blocks of this massive site offering visitors a uniquely intimate experience. Along the way discover original roofs intact, ponder intriguing “T” shaped and north-facing corner doors, see a reed mat left by early inhabitants and more. The trail culminates by descending into the reconstructed great kiva, a building that inherently inspires contemplation, wonder, and an ancient sense of sacredness.
The Basics
Location:
Aztec
Hours:
Daily; hours vary by season
Price:
Children under fifteen are free; $5 for everyone else
By car: Aztec Ruins National Monument is located on Ruins Road about 1/2 mile north of New Mexico Highway 516, in the City of Aztec, New Mexico.
From Albuquerque/Bloomfield: Follow Highway 550 north into the City of Aztec, turn left at the “T” intersection onto Highway 516, drive 3/4 mile, then turn right immediately after crossing the river onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road ½ mile to the Monument.
From Durango: Follow Highway 550 south into the City of Aztec. Highway 550 will become 516. Follow 516 and turn right immediately after crossing the river onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road ½ mile to the Monument.
From Farmington: Follow Highway 516 east into the City of Aztec; 1/4 mile past Lightplant Road turn left onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road ½ mile to the Monument.
Climate
Summer high temperatures range between 80° and 90°° with a few days over 100°. The fall is usually pleasant, with mild days and crisp nights. Winter daytime temperatures range between the 20° and 50° with cold nights that can reach 0°. Spring weather is especially unpredictable: it can be windy, cold, and wet, or still, warm, and dry.
$5.00 per person for anyone over fifteen years old. Entrance passes are good for seven days. Kids fifteen and under get in free.
Things To Do
Self-Guided Trail: Aztec Ruins provides visitors an intimate opportunity to explore the ancient Puebloan “great house” known as West Ruin. A self-guided 1/2 mile walk winds through rooms built centuries ago. Along the way discover skillful stone masonry, remarkably well-preserved wood roofing and original mortar in some walls. The interpretive trail guide combines modern archeological findings and traditional Native American perspectives to enhance the visitor experience. At the trail's end, visitors enter the Great Kiva. This awesome semi-subterranean structure, over 40-feet in diameter, was the central social and religious site of this ancient complex. Now reconstructed, Aztec Ruins' Great Kiva is the oldest and largest building of its kind.
Interpretive Programs: Rangers offer interpretive talks throughout the summer at scheduled times. Other activities include scholarly lectures and demonstrations of traditional American Indian crafts. The times and locations of these events are posted in mid-spring.
VisitorCenter: The museum features a variety of ancient artifacts excavated at or related to Aztec Ruins. Throughout the day a 25 minute video, “Hisatsinom,” reveals the pre-Columbian history of the Four Corners region.
Nearby Attractions
National Park Areas
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, 65mi
Mesa Verde National Park, 85mi
Hovenweep National Monument, 111mi
Canyon De Chelly National Monument, 166mi
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, 166mi
