El Morro National Monument

Usual hours

• Mon 9:00–17:00
• Tue–Wed closed
• Thu–Sun 9:00–17:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-19 to 2026-12-13; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Events

• Life on the Wing 08:30 AM–10:00 AM
• Ranger-guided Petroglyph Walk 03:30 PM–05:00 PM
• Stories Carved in Stone 01:30 PM–03:00 PM

Before you go

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

⚠ Park closure: Trail Closure for Restoration

The south portion of the Headland Trail is closed due to ongoing restoration work. Access to the trail will now close at 2:30 pm daily. All hikers must be off the trails by 4:45 pm.

Park alert: Water in campground is shut off for the winter

Due to overnight freezing temperatures, water in the campground has been shut off for the season. Visitors should plan to bring their own water. Small containers may be filled at the visitor center during business hours.

Park alert: Park closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Winter hours are currently in effect. El Morro is open 5 days/week, Thursday - Monday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mountain Time. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Hiking park trails when the monument is closed is not permitted.

Getting there

From Albuquerque, NM, or from the east: take Interstate 40 west to Grants. At exit 81, go south on Highway 53 for 42 miles to El Morro National Monument. From Flagstaff, AZ, or from the west: take Interstate 40 east to Gallup. At exit 20, go south on Highway 602 for about 31 miles. Turn east (left) onto Highway 53. El Morro is 25 more miles.

Weather & when to go

At an elevation of 7,219 feet (2200 meters) winters can be cold and snowy. Summers are warm with afternoon thunder showers from mid-July through mid-September. Trails can close unexpectedly due to severe weather. Average snowfall: 40 inches per year. Average precipitation (snowmelt and rain): 16 inches per year. Warmest month: July, with average highs of 84 degrees and lows of 52 degrees. Coldest months: December and January, with average lows of 14-15 degrees, and average highs of 44-45 degrees.

Visitor center

El Morro Visitor Center — Summer Hours: Open seven days a week. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm MT. Entry to the Headland Trail ends at 3:00 pm. Entry to the Inscription Loop Trail ends at 4:00 pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.

Facilities on the park map

1 visitor information.

History

Opened

1906

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened