El Morro National Monument
Imagine the refreshment of finding water after days of dusty travel. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (“the headland”) a popular campsite for hundreds of years. Here, ancestral Puebloan, Spanish, Mexican, and American travelers carved over two thousand signatures, dates, messages, and petroglyphs.
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Discover El Morro National Monument
Discover a hidden gem of history and nature at El Morro National Monument, where towering sandstone cliffs bear centuries of inscriptions left by travelers, explorers, and Indigenous peoples. Located in western New Mexico, this natural oasis has long been a stopping point, offering shade and a life-giving waterhole in the arid landscape. Walk in the footsteps of ancestral Puebloans, Spanish explorers, and American pioneers as you observe petroglyphs and historic carvings. With scenic trails, breathtaking vistas, and a deep sense of history, El Morro is a place where the past speaks through stone.
Visit the WNP park store
Visit the El Morro National Monument Visitor Center and shop at the park store. Pick up books, collectibles, apparel, toys, mementos, and more to remember your visit to this beautiful place.
Exploring Petrified Forest National Park, El Malpais National Monument, & El Morro National Monument
Discover ancient landscapes, volcanic wonders, and historic inscriptions on this three-day remote adventure through Arizona and New Mexico.
Visit smart
Walk the Inscription Trail
This 0.5-mile loop takes you past hundreds of centuries-old carvings and petroglyphs.
Hike to the Top of El Morro
The 2-mile Headland Trail offers panoramic views and leads to the top of the El Morro bluff.
Bring a camera
The golden hues of the sandstone cliffs, especially at sunrise and sunset, make for stunning photography.
Check for weather changes
The high-desert climate can bring sudden storms or temperature shifts, so dress in layers and be prepared.
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Upcoming events
Our contribution
Over $176 million
Since our founding in 1938, WNP has provided more than $176 million in aid to our partner parks to fund educational programs, initiatives, and scientific research.
Why stop at just one?
If you love El Morro, check out these other amazing parks.
Over 70 parks to explore
