welcome to
El Morro National Monument
El Morro was designated a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. It was the second national monument established after the Antiquities Act was signed by Roosevelt.
Place:
LOCATION:
Cibola County in northwestern New Mexico
Place:
LOCATION:
Cibola County in northwestern New Mexico
Highlights
El Morro is located on an ancient east–west trail and has drawn explorers and travelers for centuries, offering a valuable water source and resting place. It was occupied beginning approximately 1275 for 75-100 years by the Ancestral Puebloans. The largest dwelling was Atsinna Pueblo, constructed from flat sedimentary rocks, the remains of which visitors to the monument can witness today, along with some 200 petroglyphs left behind by the Puebloans. Spanish explorers and, later, the U.S. Army and emigrants heading west passed through El Morro and left their names on “Inscription Rock,” which is now a major attraction within the monument. El Morro is also home to a variety of plants and animals, and geological features. The monument has a campground and hiking trails and is a great place to witness the dark night sky.
60,501
People Visited in 2022
56
Jobs Supported by Visitation
Location
4018 Ice Caves Rd Hwy 53, Ramah, NM 87321
Owner
Sharron Dishongh (owner), Sumitra Shinde (manager)
Local Business Spotlight
Ancient Way Cafe, El Morro RV Park & Cabins
How has El Morro National Monument benefitted your business directly?
El Morro National Monument, though modest in size, has had a significant economic impact on our business. The scenic hikes and layers of history carved into the rock attract visitors who enjoy dining at our seasonal café for breakfast or lunch, and then stay overnight in our cabins before continuing their adventures. Being located just one mile east of the monument is one of our greatest marketing advantages. We maintain a strong relationship with the monument’s rangers and staff, and we frequently recommend each other to visitors seeking local attractions and services.
How does El Morro National Monument benefit the local community and the state of New Mexico?
El Morro National Monument has significantly benefited our local community by creating jobs in an area with limited employment opportunities. It has provided a substantial economic boost to our business and the surrounding few businesses through increased traffic and tourism. Additionally, the monument rangers excel at inspiring local and visiting children to engage with the outdoors. The educational hikes, featuring ruins, fascinating geological formations, and inscriptions from Ancestral Puebloans, Spanish conquistadors, and American settlers, are particularly popular with young visitors. These hikes also offer stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape. We frequently welcome kids to our café who proudly display their junior ranger badges from the El Morro gift shop, showcasing the monument’s positive influence on the next generation.
— Sharron Dishongh, owner