Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Franciscan missions archaeological site in central New Mexico, United States.
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument consists of three separate mission sites—Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira—spread across the desert in central New Mexico. Each location displays stone churches, residential buildings, and pueblo structures built centuries ago.
Spanish missionaries founded these mission centers starting in the 1620s to convert local Pueblo communities to Christianity. The three sites were gradually abandoned in the 1670s as conditions became difficult for continued settlement.
Spanish colonial architecture stands alongside Pueblo building techniques in the stone churches and dwellings visible at each site. The structures reveal how two distinct peoples shared and shaped these spaces over generations.
A visitor center in Mountainair serves as the main stopping point and offers information about all three sites. Plan for outdoor walking among ancient structures, and bring water and sun protection since the desert landscape offers little shade.
The monument holds International Dark Sky Park status, meaning the night sky here remains largely free from light pollution. Visitors can observe the stars as clearly as the missionaries and pueblo inhabitants did centuries ago.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
New Mexico combines geological formations with historical sites spanning multiple periods. The region includes cave systems such as Carlsbad Caverns, extensive gypsum fields at White Sands, volcanic landscapes at El Malpais National Monument, and unusual rock formations in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin...
Sandia Base
96.5 km
Abo
33.7 kmTijeras Canyon
95.4 km
Quarai
41.9 km
National Solar Thermal Test Facility
87.5 km
Gutiérrez-Hubbell House
98.4 km
Manzano Wilderness
57.7 km
Space Development and Test Wing
100 kmPottery Mound
84.7 km
Moriarty Eclipse Windmill
82 km
Tewa Lodge
101.6 km
Belen Harvey House
76.5 kmLas Humanas
0 m
Luna Lodge
99.8 km
Rancho Bonito
30.7 km
American Vaudeville Museum
97.9 km
Gran Quivera Historic District
1.3 km
Tome Jail
79.5 km
La Puerta Lodge
99.4 km
Belen City Hall
76.9 km
Miguel E. Baca House
77.3 km
El Cerro Tome Site
78.9 km
Otero's 66 Service
85 km
Mountainair Municipal Auditorium
32.3 km
Felipe Chaves House
77.3 km
Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts
84.8 km
Belen Public Library
76.8 km
Edgewood Community Library
91.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes