Fort Union National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: New Mexico
📘 Park Overview
Exposed to the wind, within a sweeping valley of short grass prairie, and along the eroded Santa Fe Trail, lie the adobe walled ruins of the largest 19th century military fort in the region. From 1851 to 1891, Fort Union functioned as an agent of change, desired or not, in the New Mexico Territory and throughout the Southwest.
🌤 Weather Information
Fort Union is situated at 6,760 feet above sea level. Daytime temperatures between June and September may exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures often drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures may vary within 50 degrees in a 24-hour period. During the winter, it is not uncommon for the temperatures to drop below 0°F (-18°C.) During the summer, expect high temperatures, intense sunlight and extremely low humidity.
🚗 Directions
Fort Union National Monument is located in the Northeastern portion of the state of New Mexico. 8 miles off of Interstate I-25 on State Highway NM 161. New Mexico: From Albuquerque (156 miles), Santa Fe (94 miles) or Las Vegas, NM (28 miles) take I-25 North, exit 366 at Watrous, 8 miles on NM 161. Colorado: From Denver (313 miles), Colorado Springs (243 miles) or Raton (95 miles) take I-25 South, exit 366 at Watrous, 8 miles on NM 161.
Images
Blue skies and billowing clouds frequently add to the incredible viewshed that surrounds the monument grounds.
Credit: Ron Harvey - Fort Union National Monument
One of the most photographed areas of the monument, the Mechanics Corral onced serviced wagons that travelled along the Santa Fe Trail.
Credit: Ron Harvey - Fort Union National Monument
Located deep within the Mora Valley, Fort Union National Monument contains a vast array of plant and animal life.
Credit: Ron Harvey - Fort Union National Monument
Located on the monument grounds is the world's largest collection of Territorial-Style adobe remanants.
Credit: Fort Union National Monument
Completed in 1960, the Visitor Center at Fort Union was one of the first built during the "MIssion 66" program for the National Park Service. It was designed by the internationally known architect Cecil Doty.
Credit: Ron Harvey - Fort Union National Monument
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Feb 23
Sunny
High: 66.6°F | Low: 23.2°F
Humidity: 38%
Wind: 11 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.2
Sunrise: 06:37 AM
Sunset: 05:50 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (33%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 29.7°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Feb 24
Sunny
High: 66.4°F | Low: 36.7°F
Humidity: 32%
Wind: 19.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1
Sunrise: 06:36 AM
Sunset: 05:50 PM
Moon: First Quarter (44%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 35.6°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Feb 25
Sunny
High: 65.5°F | Low: 41°F
Humidity: 46%
Wind: 17 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.2
Sunrise: 06:34 AM
Sunset: 05:51 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (55%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 40.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Fire Weather Watch issued February 23 at 1:23AM MST until February 24 at 6:00PM MST by NWS Albuquerque NM
Effective: Feb 23, 2026 3:23am
Expires: Feb 23, 2026 3:00pm
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM TUESDAY FOR
THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NORTHEAST AND EAST
CENTRAL PLAINS DUE TO STRONG WEST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...
.West winds will strengthen in eastern New Mexico on Tuesday. The
strongest wind gusts, 40 to 50 mph, will be along the I-40
corridor from Clines Corners to the Texas border. These gusty west
winds combined with well above normal temperatures and minimum
relative humidity values between 7 and 14 percent will result in
several hours of critical fire weather conditions across the
Northeast and Central Highlands and Northeast and East Central
Plains during the midday and afternoon hours, especially across
the I-40 corridor in eastern New Mexico and the I-25 corridor from
Las Vegas to Springer.
* AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Plains (Zone 104), Northeast
Highlands (Zone 123), Central Highlands (Zone 125), and East
Central Plains (Zone 126) Tuesday from 10 AM to 6 PM MST.
* 20 FOOT WINDS...West winds 20 to 35 mph with peak gusts of 35
to 50 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum relative humidity values between 7
and 14 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Red Flag Warning issued February 23 at 10:25AM MST until February 24 at 6:00PM MST by NWS Albuquerque NM
Effective: Feb 23, 2026 12:25pm
Expires: Feb 24, 2026 5:00am
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM TUESDAY FOR THE
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NORTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL
PLAINS DUE TO STRONG WEST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...
.West winds will strengthen in eastern New Mexico on Tuesday. The
strongest wind gusts, up to 45 mph, will be along the I-40
corridor from Clines Corners to the Texas border. These gusty west
winds combined with well above normal temperatures and minimum
relative humidity values between 7 and 14 percent will result in
several hours of critical fire weather conditions across the
Northeast and Central Highlands and Northeast and East Central
Plains during the midday and afternoon hours, especially across
the I-40 corridor in eastern New Mexico and the I-25 corridor
from Las Vegas to Springer.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 10 AM to 6 PM MST Tuesday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.
* AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Plains (Zone 104), Northeast
Highlands (Zone 123), Central Highlands (Zone 125), and East
Central Plains (Zone 126) Tuesday from 10 AM to 6 PM MST.
* 20 FOOT WINDS...West winds 20 to 35 mph with peak gusts up to 45 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum relative humidity values between 7
and 14 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Farolitos and Falling Mercury
Find out how Christmas was celebrated by those at Fort Union and the local area. Includes the reading of a short story. 45-minutes.
Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Dec 24, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Farolitos and Falling Mercury
Find out how Christmas was celebrated by those at Fort Union and the local area. Includes the reading of a short story. 45-minutes.
Date: Dec 26, 2025 12:00am to Dec 28, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Crackling Embers
Crackling Embers – The tradition of storytelling around the campfire continues with your National Park Service! Experience this half-hour program of fire making with historic tales, an intriguing story, or a spooky yarn along with a park ranger. Seating available. On Saturdays and Sundays indicated.
Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Crackling Embers
The tradition of storytelling around the campfire continues with your National Park Service! Experience this half-hour program of fire making along with historic tales, an intriguing story, or a spooky yarn along with a park ranger. Seating available.
Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Crackling Embers
Crackling Embers – The tradition of storytelling around the campfire continues with your National Park Service! Experience this half-hour program of fire making with historic tales, an intriguing story, or a spooky yarn along with a park ranger. Seating available. On Saturdays and Sundays indicated.
Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Crackling Embers
The tradition of storytelling around the campfire continues with your National Park Service! Experience this half-hour program of fire making along with historic tales, an intriguing story, or a spooky yarn along with a park ranger. Seating available.
Date: Jan 17, 2026 12:00am to Jan 18, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Second Fort Sundays
Enjoy a guided tour that focuses on the Civil War era fieldwork and led by a costumed living history interpreter. 30 minutes.
Date: Jan 25, 2026 12:00am to Jan 25, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Second Fort Sundays
Enjoy a guided tour that focuses on the Civil War era fieldwork and led by a costumed living history interpreter. 30 minutes.
Date: Feb 8, 2026 12:00am to Feb 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Crackling Embers
The tradition of storytelling around the campfire continues with your National Park Service! Experience this half-hour program of fire making along with historic tales, an intriguing story, or a spooky yarn along with a park ranger. Seating available.
Date: Feb 14, 2026 12:00am to Feb 15, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Second Fort Sundays
Enjoy a guided tour that focuses on the Civil War era fieldwork and led by a costumed living history interpreter. 30 minutes.
Date: Feb 22, 2026 12:00am to Feb 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
3115 NM Highway 161
Watrous, NM 87753
🏤 Mailing Address:
PO Box 127
Watrous, NM 87753
📞 Voice Phone: 505-425-8025
📞 Fax Phone: 505-454-9272
✉️ Email: foun_information@nps.gov