Fort Union National Monument

Fort Union is a military fort ruin in the New Mexico prairie featuring adobe structures, supply buildings, and remnants of a historic trade route. The remains show different construction phases that developed over many decades.

The fort began in 1851 as a military base and supply center supporting westward expansion. It became important during the Civil War and conflicts with indigenous nations before being abandoned in 1891.

The site reflects how soldiers, traders, and indigenous peoples lived and interacted in the same landscape. You can see the traces of these different communities in the way the structures were built and arranged across the ground.

You can walk through the ruins on a self-guided trail and visit the visitor center to see exhibits. The best time to go is outside the hottest summer months when you can comfortably explore the site on foot.

The site contains three separate fortification areas, including a star-shaped defensive structure from the Civil War period. This triple layout shows how military needs and building strategies shifted over the decades.

Location: Mora County

Inception: April 5, 1956

Website: https://nps.gov/foun

GPS coordinates: 35.90730,-105.01200

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02