List of National Parks in New Mexico
New Mexico has 15 National Parks:
- Aztec Ruins National Monument
- Bandelier National Monument
- Capulin Volcano National Monument
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- El Malpais National Monument
- El Morro National Monument
- Fort Union National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park
- Pecos National Historical Park
- Petroglyph National Monument
- Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
- Valles Caldera National Preserve
- White Sands National Park
In this article I will write about these National Parks. I also add New Mexico National Parks map at the end of the article.
List of National Parks in New Mexico
(You can click the image below to see it in full size)
1. Aztec Ruins National Monument
Aztec Ruins National Monument, located in northwestern New Mexico, preserves the remains of an ancient Ancestral Puebloan settlement dating back to the 12th century. Visitors can explore the well-preserved structures, including a large ceremonial kiva, and learn about the cultural and historical significance of the site. The monument provides insights into the daily life and architectural ingenuity of the people who once inhabited this area.
Contact Details
- Address: 725 Ruins Road, Aztec, NM 87410
- Website: https://www.nps.gov/azru/index.htm
- Phone: +1 505-334-6174
2. Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument, situated near Los Alamos, New Mexico, protects over 33,000 acres of rugged canyon and mesa country. The monument is home to numerous archaeological sites, including cliff dwellings, kivas, and petroglyphs, which provide a glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here over 700 years ago. Visitors can hike the scenic trails, explore the ruins, and enjoy the diverse natural landscape.
Contact Details
- Address: 15 Entrance Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
- Website: Bandelier National Monument
- Phone: +1 505-672-3861
3. Capulin Volcano National Monument
Capulin Volcano National Monument, located in northeastern New Mexico, features a well-preserved cinder cone volcano that last erupted about 60,000 years ago. Visitors can drive to the summit for panoramic views of the surrounding Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field and hike the trails around the rim and into the crater. The monument offers a unique opportunity to learn about volcanic geology and the area’s natural history.
Contact Details
- Address: 46 Volcano Road, Capulin, NM 88414
- Website: Capulin Volcano National Monument
- Phone: +1 575-278-2201
4. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in southeastern New Mexico, is renowned for its vast underground limestone caves. The park’s main attraction, Carlsbad Cavern, features stunning formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and large chambers, including the famous Big Room. Visitors can explore the caverns on self-guided tours or ranger-led adventures, and enjoy the park’s above-ground trails and diverse desert landscape.
Contact Details
- Address: 3225 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220
- Website: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Phone: +1 575-785-2232
5. Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, located in northwestern New Mexico, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the remains of one of the most important pre-Columbian cultural centers in North America. The park features impressive ruins of large, complex structures built by the Chacoan people between AD 900 and 1150. Visitors can explore the great houses, kivas, and intricate road systems, gaining insight into the advanced architectural and astronomical knowledge of the Chacoans.
Contact Details
- Address: 1808 CR 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037
- Website: Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Phone: +1 505-786-7014
6. El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais National Monument, in western New Mexico, showcases a rugged landscape formed by volcanic activity. The monument features dramatic lava fields, cinder cones, and sandstone bluffs. Visitors can explore the unique geological features, including lava tubes and ice caves, and enjoy hiking, caving, and scenic drives. The area also has a rich cultural history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years.
Contact Details
- Address: 1900 East Santa Fe Avenue, Grants, NM 87020
- Website: El Malpais National Monument
- Phone: +1 505-876-2783
7. El Morro National Monument
El Morro National Monument, located in western New Mexico, is known for its massive sandstone promontory that has served as a landmark for centuries. The rock, also known as Inscription Rock, features hundreds of petroglyphs and inscriptions left by ancient Puebloans, Spanish explorers, and American settlers. Visitors can hike to the top of the rock for stunning views and explore the inscriptions and the ruins of an ancient pueblo.
Contact Details
- Address: HC 61 Box 43, Ramah, NM 87321
- Website: El Morro National Monument
- Phone: +1 505-783-4226
8. Fort Union National Monument
Fort Union National Monument, situated in northeastern New Mexico, preserves the remnants of a significant 19th-century military post. The fort played a crucial role in the defense and development of the southwestern frontier and served as a supply depot for military operations. Visitors can tour the ruins of the fort, explore the museum exhibits, and learn about the history of the Santa Fe Trail and the fort’s impact on the region.
Contact Details
- Address: 3115 NM Hwy 161, Watrous, NM 87753
- Website: Fort Union National Monument
- Phone: +1 505-425-8025
9. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, located in southwestern New Mexico, protects the ruins of ancient cliff dwellings built by the Mogollon people in the late 13th century. The monument offers a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in these remote and rugged canyons. Visitors can hike to the cliff dwellings, explore the surrounding wilderness, and learn about the cultural and natural history of the area.
Contact Details
- Address: 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049
- Website: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
- Phone: +1 575-536-9461
10. Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Manhattan Project National Historical Park, with sites in New Mexico, Tennessee, and Washington, preserves locations significant to the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. The Los Alamos site in New Mexico was a key center for research and development. Visitors can learn about the scientific achievements and ethical implications of the Manhattan Project through exhibits, tours, and educational programs.
Contact Details
- Address: Various locations in Los Alamos, NM; Oak Ridge, TN; and Hanford, WA
- Website: Manhattan Project National Historical Park
- Phone: +1 505-661-6277 (Los Alamos office)
11. Pecos National Historical Park
Pecos National Historical Park, located in northern New Mexico, encompasses the ruins of Pecos Pueblo and a Civil War battlefield. The park preserves the cultural heritage of the Puebloan people and their interactions with Spanish colonists. Visitors can explore the ruins of the pueblo, the Spanish mission, and the battlefield, and enjoy hiking trails that offer insights into the area’s rich history and natural beauty.
Contact Details
- Address: 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552
- Website: Pecos National Historical Park
- Phone: +1 505-757-7241
12. Petroglyph National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument, situated on the western edge of Albuquerque, New Mexico, protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. The monument features thousands of ancient rock carvings created by Native Americans and early Spanish settlers. Visitors can hike the trails to view the petroglyphs and learn about the cultural significance and history of these remarkable symbols.
Contact Details
- Address: 6001 Unser Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120
- Website: Petroglyph National Monument
- Phone: +1 505-899-0205
13. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, in central New Mexico, preserves the ruins of three mission churches and the associated Puebloan villages: Quarai, Abó, and Gran Quivira. These sites reflect the early interactions between Spanish missionaries and Native American cultures in the 17th century. Visitors can explore the well-preserved ruins and learn about the complex history of colonization, conversion, and cultural exchange.
Contact Details
- Address: 102 S Ripley Street, Mountainair, NM 87036
- Website: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
- Phone: +1 505-847-2585
14. Valles Caldera National Preserve
Valles Caldera National Preserve, located in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico, encompasses a 13.7-mile-wide volcanic caldera. The preserve features diverse ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, and wetlands, and offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and winter sports. Visitors can explore the unique geological features and learn about the volcanic history and ongoing scientific research in the area.
Contact Details
- Address: 39201 State Road 4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025
- Website: Valles Caldera National Preserve
- Phone: +1 575-829-4100
15. White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park, in southern New Mexico, is home to the world’s largest gypsum dune field. The park’s striking white dunes create a surreal and otherworldly landscape. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, sledding down the dunes, and learning about the unique geology and ecosystem of the area. The park also offers opportunities for stargazing and exploring the natural beauty of this unique desert environment.
Contact Details
- Address: 19955 Highway 70, Alamogordo, NM 88310
- Website: White Sands National Park
- Phone: +1 575-479-6124
List of National Parks in New Mexico
Now you can answer the question: “how many national parks in New Mexico?” It’s 15 national parks
Tag: List of National Parks in New Mexico, national parks in New Mexico map, best national parks in New Mexico
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