Aztec Ruins National Monument
Aztec Ruins National Monument
Come to Aztec Ruins National Monument and cross ancient passageways to a distant time. West Ruin, a center of ancestral Pueblo society that once housed over 500 masonry rooms, Original timbers still holding up masonry roofs, fingerprints of ancient workers in the stucco walls, and the echo of ritual drums in the reconstructed "Great Kiva" are just some of the magical highlights of Aztec Ruins. Come, relax, and imagine yourself in the past.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Dennis CarruthPhone Number: 505-334-6174x30
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for seven days): $5; Children 15 years-old and younger: Free
Sights: West Ruin; Aztec Ruins; Animas River; Chaco Canyon;
Important Dates
By The Numbers
Acres: 317.80Annual Visitation: 40,779 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :36.831340 / -108.000690 (map it)
State: NM
Nearby Big City: Aztec, NM
Gateway Communities: Aztec, NM; Flora Vista, NM; Farmington, NM; Durango, NM; Bloomfield, NM; Kirtland, NM; Blanco, NM; Fruitland, NM
Nearby Airports: Four Corners Regional (FMN); Durango-La Plata County (DRO)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Aztec Ruins
Alex Neauville
Aztec Ruins 2
Alex Neauville
Indian Ruins Underground
Alex Neauville
View More Aztec Ruins Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Traveling Trunks Traveling replica trunks can be checked out for use in your classroom. They include numerous replica artifacts, the Hisatsinom video, and a teacher's guide. The teacher's guide inclu ... read more.
Experience More! 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 ... read more.
Geology Nature & Science Natural Resources at Aztec Ruins National Monument People have long made their living in the Animas River valley of northwest New Mexico. Aztec Ruins National Monument, bounded on t ... read more.
History People Ancestral Pueblo People at Aztec Ruins Early settlers mistakenly thought that people from the Aztec Empire in Mexico created these striking buildings. They named the site Aztec, a misnome ... read more.
In A Nutshell Frequently Asked Questions Orientation: Q: What is the entrance fee? A: Entrance is $5.00. Children fifteen and under free. All current "Golden" "National Park" and "America the Beautiful" passes to ... read more.
Just For Kids Childrens Writing Workshop Children's Art and Writing at Aztec Ruins Teachers of grades 3-5 in San Juan County, New Mexico, may apply to participate in Aztec Ruins National Monument Children's Writin ... read more.
Lodging & Dining Lodging Step Back Inn 103 W Aztec Blvd Aztec, NM 87410 (505)334-1200 1-800-334-1255 Enchanted Lodge Motel 1800 W Aztec Blvd Aztec, NM 87410 (505)334-6143 Miss Gail's Inn 300 South Main Aztec, NM 8741 ... read more.
Natural World Birds Birds of Aztec Ruins National Monument The riparian and pinon-juniper woodland areas, along with patches of once-cultivated grassy fields, orchards, and desert scrub all provide diverse habita ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Permits For information on obtaining a special use permit please call Terry Nichol ... read more.
Preservation Volunteer Aztec Ruins Seeking Volunteers Have you ever wanted to work in a National Park or Monument? Interested in meeting people from around the world? Background: Aztec Ruins National Monument pre ... read more.
Things To Do 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 room ... read more.
Aztec Ruins In Depth
News from the Parks
Rainier Landmark Meets Wrecking Ball
November 18, 2008 - 11:29am
Paradise echoed Monday not with the voices of park visitors, but with the thump and crash of a 4,500-pound wrecking ball smashing through the old visitor center.
November 18, 2008 - 11:29am
Paradise echoed Monday not with the voices of park visitors, but with the thump and crash of a 4,500-pound wrecking ball smashing through the old visitor center.
New River Gorge National River Celebrates 30th Anniversary
November 18, 2008 - 11:24am
The New River Gorge celebrated its 30th year as part of the National Park System last week with the Nov. 10 anniversary of its 1978 designation as a National River.
November 18, 2008 - 11:24am
The New River Gorge celebrated its 30th year as part of the National Park System last week with the Nov. 10 anniversary of its 1978 designation as a National River.
Park to Go with 720 Sleds per Day
November 18, 2008 - 11:22am
Yellowstone National Park officials have opted to allow 720 snowmobiles a day in the park this winter, abandoning a temporary plan they proposed two weeks ago for 318 machines a day.
November 18, 2008 - 11:22am
Yellowstone National Park officials have opted to allow 720 snowmobiles a day in the park this winter, abandoning a temporary plan they proposed two weeks ago for 318 machines a day.
Falling Boulders Endanger Lives at Yosemite
November 18, 2008 - 11:20am
A major rockslide at Yosemite National Park's Curry Village has prompted officials to consider closing part of the lodging area permanently.
November 18, 2008 - 11:20am
A major rockslide at Yosemite National Park's Curry Village has prompted officials to consider closing part of the lodging area permanently.
Interior and Energy Team-up to Make National Parks “Green”
November 18, 2008 - 10:09am
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service (NPS) showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship. With equal amounts of initial “seed money” from DOI and DOE totaling $1 million for 2009, the Energy SmartPARKS program hopes to eventually draw private sector support to spark a green energy future in the United States. “This partnership will deploy energy efficient and renewable energy technologies throughout the national park system,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “We have the power to not only improve conditions in the parks, but also demonstrate for the public the impacts and benefits of green energy innovations.” “Our national parks are a showcase of this country's natural beauty and historical significance. With this agreement, we're ensuring that these parks are also models of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,” said Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. “Our parks have always been an important way for Americans to learn about the environment, now they can learn about energy use as well.” “The Energy SmartPARKS program will make positive, tangible advancements by greening the parks and by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions,” said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service. “This is a great way to demonstrate our environmental leadership as we approach the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.” On the ground, parks will use funding from Energy SmartPARKS to deploy cutting-edge technology as well as traditional solutions, including projects that retrofit lighting systems; purchase electric utility vehicles; install solar panel systems; upgrade meters and thermostats; replace windows and furnaces; study the feasibility of wind power; and conduct energy audits. Lessons learned from these projects can be used in other national parks and in the homes of every American. A list of some of the 2009 projects is available. Two recent projects illustrate the exciting possibilities of Energy SmartPARKS in the future: the exterior relighting of both the White House and the Washington Monument. With ground-breaking technology that improved the exterior illumination, these national icons now look beautiful while being energy efficient at the same time. Although the official assessment of the White House relighting project by DOE has not yet been conducted, early estimates anticipate over 50% energy reduction. The Washington Monument relighting project resulted in a 27% energy reduction with a cut of 36 tons per year in carbon emissions according to the official DOE assessment. The Energy SmartPARKS program will also develop new and expand existing partnerships with the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These partners may help raise funds, identify projects, find technological solutions, and educate the public. The National Park Service is developing an Energy SmartPARKS website, in partnership with DOI and DOE, to showcase its commitment to a green energy future in America. Visit www.nps.gov/energy in the coming weeks.
November 18, 2008 - 10:09am
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service (NPS) showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship. With equal amounts of initial “seed money” from DOI and DOE totaling $1 million for 2009, the Energy SmartPARKS program hopes to eventually draw private sector support to spark a green energy future in the United States. “This partnership will deploy energy efficient and renewable energy technologies throughout the national park system,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “We have the power to not only improve conditions in the parks, but also demonstrate for the public the impacts and benefits of green energy innovations.” “Our national parks are a showcase of this country's natural beauty and historical significance. With this agreement, we're ensuring that these parks are also models of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,” said Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. “Our parks have always been an important way for Americans to learn about the environment, now they can learn about energy use as well.” “The Energy SmartPARKS program will make positive, tangible advancements by greening the parks and by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions,” said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service. “This is a great way to demonstrate our environmental leadership as we approach the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.” On the ground, parks will use funding from Energy SmartPARKS to deploy cutting-edge technology as well as traditional solutions, including projects that retrofit lighting systems; purchase electric utility vehicles; install solar panel systems; upgrade meters and thermostats; replace windows and furnaces; study the feasibility of wind power; and conduct energy audits. Lessons learned from these projects can be used in other national parks and in the homes of every American. A list of some of the 2009 projects is available. Two recent projects illustrate the exciting possibilities of Energy SmartPARKS in the future: the exterior relighting of both the White House and the Washington Monument. With ground-breaking technology that improved the exterior illumination, these national icons now look beautiful while being energy efficient at the same time. Although the official assessment of the White House relighting project by DOE has not yet been conducted, early estimates anticipate over 50% energy reduction. The Washington Monument relighting project resulted in a 27% energy reduction with a cut of 36 tons per year in carbon emissions according to the official DOE assessment. The Energy SmartPARKS program will also develop new and expand existing partnerships with the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These partners may help raise funds, identify projects, find technological solutions, and educate the public. The National Park Service is developing an Energy SmartPARKS website, in partnership with DOI and DOE, to showcase its commitment to a green energy future in America. Visit www.nps.gov/energy in the coming weeks.
First Time Visit
I've only been to a few National Parks and I just wanted to comment on how friendly everyone was there. Even the guys and gals that were out digging in holes at the ruins.
I was there on October 1, 2008 and everyone was AWESOME!!!
I was visiting family in the Ignacio area and they thought it would be something fun and educational to do. I LOVED IT!!!
I lived in Arizona for a few years and this was quite different to look at.
THANK YOU for making me feel so welcomed and I will definitely recommend the site to all of my friends.