Aztec Ruins National Monument: The Ultimate Guide (2024)
Want to know what it’s like to visit Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know in this ultimate guide!
Aztec Ruins National Monument is an over 900 year old ancient historic site in Northwestern New Mexico.
The name may be a little misleading though as the Aztecs were never in New Mexico.
But instead, it gets it’s name because the settlers who discovered this site mistook these ruins to be Aztec and the name was just never changed.
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Aztec Ruins National Monument: The Ultimate Guide
Aztec Ruins National Monument is located in Northwestern New Mexico, near the Four Corners.
It’s an easy day trip from Durango, Taos, Santa Fe, and other surrounding tourism spots.
When we visited, we were driving in from Durango (which was about 45 minutes away) and finished our day in Farmington (about 15 minutes away).
Aztec Ruins is open from 9 am – 5 pm every day (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).
The closer to opening or closing hours you go, the less people will be there.
You want to make sure you have enough time to see and do everything though, so you’ll want to arrive by 3:45 pm at the latest to at least see the site and a bit of the museum.
Things To Do At Aztec Ruins National Monument
The ruins are obviously the highlight, but there are a few other activities to enhance your visit as well.
1. Visitor Center and Museum
The first thing you’ll want to do is stop in at the visitor center.
Here you can get your park map, a stamp in your National Park pass, and get any information you need for your visit.
In this building is also a small museum with artifacts that have been found throughout the Aztec Ruins site.
2. Aztec Ruins: Footprints of the Past 15 Minute Movie
When you’re at the museum, be sure to watch the short 15 minute movie documenting the history of this site.
Having some knowledge of what you’ll see out in the ruins really enhances the experience, so I recommend doing this and the museum before heading outside.
3. Aztec West Self-Guided Trail
Now for the main attraction!
I highly recommend downloading the self-guided audio tour to listen to (with headphones) as you walk the loop around the park.
It’ll tell you about what to look out for, where you can go inside the ruins to explore, and it’s just a short snippet in-between each place on the trail.
So you can still go at your own pace.
The loop is a paved trail, so it’s easy to navigate whether you use the guided option or not.
Some of the buildings have been restored to show how they would have looked back when they were originally built and those are the ones you can go inside, like the Great Kiva.
The inside of the buildings have some interactive exhibits as well.
In the Great Kiva there is one exhibit where you can play music and audio from a traditional ceremony that would have taken place in this building.
This is also one of the places where ranger programs are held during the Summer.
4. Junior Ranger Program
When you stop in at the visitor center, each kid can get a free activity sheet.
Once you complete it, turn it back in for a badge.
5. Heritage Garden and Native Plants Walk
Over near the picnic area is a heritage garden and a walking trail with native plants.
The heritage garden was established to grow as many plants and foods as possible that are as similar as possible to what would have been grown here while it was occupied by the Puebloans.
6. Seasonal Interpretive Programs & Special Events
From May through September there are a variety of ranger-led interpretive programs and special events.
In the Summer, there is a ranger-led 30 minute lecture series that is held during the day, usually with times at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm, in the Great Kiva.
These programs include topics like astronomy, geology, engineering, traditional American Indian arts demonstrations, and even bats.
Some special programs are weather permitting, so you can always call ahead or check at the welcome center to see if anything is scheduled during your visit.
7. Old Spanish National Historic Trail to Downtown Aztec
The Old Spanish National Historical Trail was the original caravan route from Santa Fe to Los Angeles back in the early 1800s.
There’s a small portion that passes by Aztec Ruins that you can walk.
You can take this trail from the picnic area to the Animas River or all the way to Downtown Aztec.
If you’re just going to the Animas River, it’s a 1/2 mile walk each way.
If you’re going all the way to Downtown Aztec, it’s a 1 1/2 mile walk each way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about visiting Aztec Ruins National Monument.
Why is the Aztec Ruins National Monument important?
Aztec Ruins is part of a network of ancient ruins from the 9th-13th centuries that are found in the Southwestern US.
These sites are known for their architecture and engineering that appear so much more advanced given the type of environment in this region.
These sites are so well preserved and tell so much about human life during that era that UNESCO has added all of these sites to their coveted World Heritage List.
Are there Aztec ruins in the US?
There are no true Aztec ruins in the US.
The Aztecs were a civilization in Mexico and never came as far north as the US when establishing their villages.
This site is called Aztec Ruins National Monument because the settlers that discovered this site in the 1800s mistook the ruins to be from the Aztecs.
The name has just never been changed.
How much is it to get into Aztec Ruins National Monument?
Aztec Ruins National Monument is always free to visit.
Parking is also free.
You can still get a stamp in your National Park pass if you have one since they are part of the National Park Service system.
How old is the Aztec Ruins National Monument?
This site is estimated to have been built around 1100 AD, making it over 900 years old.
It is also estimated that it was occupied for about 200 years, up until 1300 AD.
Resources For Planning Your Trip To Aztec Ruins National Monument
If you need help planning your trip to Aztec Ruins National Monument, check out our Tips For Planning A Trip To Anywhere (A Step-By-Step Guide).
Read our Best Tips For Staying Safe When Traveling During Extreme Weather if you’re traveling during the extreme heat in Summer or the snow in Winter.
Also check out our Best Tips For Staying Well While You Travel if you’re prone to getting colds or have allergies when you travel or have other ailments.
Lastly, if you’re traveling on a budget, read up on our Best Tips For Traveling On A Budget: Your Guide To Planning An Affordable Trip.
More Fun Things To Do In New Mexico
Below are some other nearby attractions that are our favorite places to visit in New Mexico.
✅ Santuario de Chimayó
Santuario de Chimayó is a pilgrimage just 30 miles outside of Santa Fe.
The dirt here is said to have healing powers, so it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors per year, especially during Holy Week.
✅ Pecos National Historical Park
Pecos is just outside of Santa Fe.
It’s another hidden gem that most visitors to the area don’t go to, but it’s so worth visiting.
✅ Gila Cliff Dwellings
Over in Southwest New Mexico are the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
This place is so fun to climb around the caves and spend some time outdoors.
✅ Guadalupe Mountains To Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Over in Southeast New Mexico is Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Just on the other side of the border is Guadalupe Mountains National Park, so these two make a perfect itinerary for a weekend getaway.
✅ The Best New Mexico Road Trip Itinerary
If you want to see all of the above plus a little bit more of New Mexico, I highly recommend this road trip itinerary.
Conclusion: Aztec Ruins National Monument Ultimate Guide
Aztec Ruins National Monument is such a fun, unique place to visit.
You can roam around many of the ruins, explore re-creations of what the buildings would’ve looked like in their heyday, and participate in interactive ranger programs.
It’s a must-do if you find yourself in Northwestern New Mexico.
