Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Three separate mission complexes at Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira contain stone churches, residential buildings, and native pueblo structures across the desert landscape.

Spanish missionaries established these religious centers between 1622 and 1635 to convert Tiwa and Tompiro Pueblo communities until their abandonment in the 1670s.

The monument represents the intersection of Spanish colonial religious practices and Native American pueblo traditions through architectural elements and settlement patterns.

The main visitor center in Mountainair provides orientation materials, guided tours, and access information to all three mission sites throughout the year.

The monument holds International Dark Sky Park status, allowing visitors to experience the same night sky views that missionaries and pueblo inhabitants witnessed centuries ago.

Location: New Mexico

Inception: November 1, 1909

Operator: National Park Service

Website: http://nps.gov/sapu

GPS coordinates: 34.25972,-106.09028

Latest update: March 6, 2025 15:55