← Back to Search

Aztec Ruins National Monument

Designation: National Monument

Location: New Mexico

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Aztec Ruins has some of the best-preserved Chacoan structures of its kind. Learn more about the ancestral Pueblo people in the park's museum and explore the Aztec West great house to see exceptionally advanced architecture, original wooden beams, and a restored Great Kiva. Aztec Ruins is a deeply sacred place to many Indigenous peoples across the American Southwest. Please visit with respect.

🌤 Weather Information

Summer High temperatures range between 80°F and 99°F degrees with a few days over 100°F. Afternoon thunderstorms usually cool things down in late July and August. Fall Usually pleasant, with mild days and crisp nights. Winter Daytime temperatures range between 20°F and 50°F with cold nights that can reach 0°F. Snow is periodic, but accumulations are typically only 1-2 inches. Spring Weather is especially unpredictable: it can be windy, cold, and wet, or still, warm, and dry.

🚗 Directions

From Albuquerque/Bloomfield, NM: Follow Hwy 550 north into Aztec, turn left onto Highway 516, drive 3/4 mile, then turn right onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road 1/2 mile to the monument. From Durango, CO: Follow Hwy 550 south into Aztec, where it will become 516. Turn right onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road 1/2 mile to the monument. From Farmington, NM Follow Highway 516 east into Aztec. 1/4 mile past Lightplant Road, turn left onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road 1/2 mile to the monument.

Images

Reconstructed stone kiva amidst stone ruins

Great Kiva in Aztec West plaza

Credit: NPS Photo

Interior of a reconstructed great kiva

The reconstructed Great Kiva

Credit: NPS Photo

Rainbow over the reconstructed Great Kiva

Rainbow over the reconstructed Great Kiva

Credit: NPS Photo

Winter snow on stone ruins

Winter snow on Aztec West great house

Credit: NPS Photo

Original "T-shaped" doorway in stone ruins

Original "T-shaped" doorway in Aztec West

Credit: NPS Photo

Three layers of original intact roof beams

Original ancestral Pueblo roof structures

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
7:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday
7:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday
7:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday
7:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday
7:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday
7:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday
7:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday, Feb 4

Sunny

Sunny

High: 54.3°F | Low: 28°F

Humidity: 52%

Wind: 5.8 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.8

Sunrise: 07:12 AM

Sunset: 05:41 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (95%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 29.4°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Feb 5

Sunny

Sunny

High: 58.1°F | Low: 28°F

Humidity: 51%

Wind: 6.7 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.8

Sunrise: 07:11 AM

Sunset: 05:42 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (89%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 31.4°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Feb 6

Sunny

Sunny

High: 56.1°F | Low: 28.6°F

Humidity: 48%

Wind: 7.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.7

Sunrise: 07:10 AM

Sunset: 05:43 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (82%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 30°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Pet Policy Information
Pets are not allowed inside the visitor center at Aztec Ruins, nor are they allowed on the archaeological trail through Aztec West. Pets are welcome in the parking lot, the picnic area, and along the Old Spanish Trail. Service animals are the exception.
2-Hour Delay on January 25, 2017 Park Closure
Due to recent snow accumulation and winter driving conditions, Aztec Ruins National Monument will be on a 2-hour delay on January 25, 2017. We will open at 10am MST.
WNP Bookstore Closed 9/4 Information
The bookstore at the visitor center will be closed all day on Thursday, Sept 4 for inventory. The visitor center will remain open from 9-5. The bookstore will be open again on Friday, Sept 5 at 9am. Online shopping is available at: https://store.wnpa.org
Pet Policy Information
Pets are not allowed inside the visitor center at Aztec Ruins or on the trail through the Aztec West Great House. Pets are welcome in the parking lot, the picnic area, and along the Old Spanish Trail. Service animals are the only exception. Emotional support, therapy, and companion animals are not considered service animals and therefore not permitted in the visitor center or on the trail through Aztec West.
Closed 1/1/26 Information
Aztec Ruins National Monument will be closed on Thursday, January 1 for the holiday. No access is permitted for any reason. The grounds will reopen on Friday, January 2 at 7am and the Visitor Center at 9am.
WNP Bookstore Closed 9/4 Information
The bookstore at the visitor center will be closed all day on Thursday, Sept 4 for inventory. The visitor center will remain open from 9-5. The bookstore will be open again on Friday, Sept 5 at 9am. Online shopping is available at: https://store.wnpa.org

Park Events

Winter Solstice Observation
Aztec Ruins National Monument will be hosting a winter solstice observation at sunset on Monday, December 22. To view this event, visitors must arrive at the visitor center by 4:30pm to join the rangers and volunteers who will be escorting visitors to the alignment location. Please wear sturdy walking shoes, and dress for the weather. This event is free and does not require any reservations.   The Aztec West great house was constructed by ancestral Pueblo people about 900 years ago in alignment with the solstices. Assuming that the western skies are clear, visitors will be able to observe the alignment of the north wall of Aztec West with the sunset position on the western horizon. This back wall of the great house aligns with both the sunrise of the summer solstice and the sunset of the winter solstice every year.   During the winter solstice, the sunset location appears to “stand still” in its southernmost point on the horizon for multiple days.   For more information about the solstice events at Aztec Ruins call (505) 334-6174.

Date: Dec 22, 2025 12:00am to Dec 22, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
725 Ruins Road
Aztec, NM 87410

🏤 Mailing Address:
725 Ruins Road
Aztec, NM 87410

📞 Voice Phone: 5053346174

📞 Fax Phone: 5053346372

✉️ Email: azru_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
Loading fun fact...