El Morro National Monument, National monument with sandstone bluff in Cibola County, United States
El Morro is a striking sandstone bluff in the New Mexico desert with a natural water pool at its base. The site includes hiking trails, a visitor center, and the remains of a Puebloan settlement on the mesa.
Between 1275 and 1350, more than 600 Ancestral Puebloan people built a settlement with 355 rooms on the mesa along a trade route. Later, Spanish and American travelers used the rock as a landmark and carved their names into its walls.
The rock walls hold carvings and inscriptions left by Pueblo peoples, Spanish explorers, and American settlers from different eras. These layered marks show how different groups used the same landmark across the centuries.
The site offers hiking trails to the mesa top and inscriptions wall, suitable for different fitness levels. Nine camping sites on-site allow for extended stays, while the visitor center provides information on geology and cultural history.
The Spanish governor Juan de Oñate left one of the oldest European inscriptions on the rock in 1605. His carving remains visible today and marks early European contact with the region.
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...
Mount Taylor
71.3 km
The Lightning Field
62.3 km
Fort Wingate
50.8 km
Hawikuh Ruins
58.8 km
El Rancho Hotel & Motel
64.4 km
Bandera Volcano Ice Cave
25.2 km
Bluewater Lake State Park
36.1 km
El Malpais National Conservation Area
36.3 kmDowa Yalanne
40.1 km
Cebolla Wilderness
50.9 km
Acoma Curio Shop
69.1 km
Datil-Mogollon Section
62.1 km
Sacred Heart Cathedral
64.4 km
Grant meteorite
48.9 km
Bowlin's Old Crater Trading Post
43.2 km
McKinley County Courthouse
64.6 km
Grants-Milan Flight Service Station
43.9 km
Roy T. Herman's Garage and Service Station
41.6 km
El Morro Theater
67.4 km
Chief Theatre
65 km
Charley's Automotive Service
46.4 km
Gallup Commercial Historic District
65 km
Redwood Lodge
64.6 km
Drake Hotel
64.9 km
United States Post Office
64.9 km
Lebanon Lodge No. 22
64.8 km
Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum
71.4 km
Gallup Cultural Center
65 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