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
Wednesday, Jun 10
Sunny
High: 87.9°F | Low: 54.1°F
Humidity: 33%
Wind: 23.5 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 12.1
Sunrise: 05:43 AM
Sunset: 08:16 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (15%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 58.3°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Jun 11
Sunny
High: 87°F | Low: 60.9°F
Humidity: 20%
Wind: 23.9 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 12.5
Sunrise: 05:43 AM
Sunset: 08:16 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (8%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 56.6°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Jun 12
Moderate rain
High: 80.3°F | Low: 52°F
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 35.1 mph
Rain Chance: 60%
UV Index: 12
Sunrise: 05:43 AM
Sunset: 08:16 PM
Moon: New Moon (3%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 54.2°F
Cloud Cover: 60%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Fire Weather Watch issued June 9 at 1:49PM MDT until June 10 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Effective: Jun 9, 2026 3:49pm
Expires: Jun 9, 2026 11:00pm
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING DUE
TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHWEST PLATEAU
AND WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHEAST PLAINS AND NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS...
.Strong and gusty winds will continue over west central to
northwestern New Mexico through the early evening with gusts
occasionally hitting 35 to 40 mph. Very dry air has also moved in,
and widespread relative humidity of 5 to 10% will persist.
Dry and windy conditions will re-focus over northeastern New Mexico
on Wednesday. Winds are forecast to reach critical speeds with
occasional gusts to 35 mph while humidity falls below 15%, however
there are some uncertainties with fuels, as rain that occurs later
this evening may mitigate the threat some.
* AFFECTED AREA...Northeast Plains (Zone 104) and Northeast Highlands
(Zone 123).
* TIMING...From Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.
* 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35
mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 6 to 13 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
burning is not recommended.
Fire Weather Watch issued June 9 at 8:51PM MDT until June 10 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Effective: Jun 9, 2026 10:51pm
Expires: Jun 10, 2026 9:00am
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR THE
NORTHWEST PLATEAU AND WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHEAST PLAINS AND NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS...
.Dry and windy conditions will re-focus over northeastern New Mexico
on Wednesday. Winds are forecast to reach critical speeds with
occasional gusts to 35 mph while humidity falls below 15%, however
there are some uncertainties with fuels, as rain that occurs later
this evening may mitigate the threat some.
* AFFECTED AREA...Northeast Plains (Zone 104) and Northeast Highlands
(Zone 123).
* TIMING...From Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.
* 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35
mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 6 to 13 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
burning is not recommended.
Park Alerts
Park Events
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
Sensory Friendly Sundays
For those visitors who enjoy a more relaxed experience, these hours allow for a quieter museum visit. Display lighting will be dimmed, and a break space and touch table are included.
Park film unavailable during these hours.
Date: Mar 1, 2026 12:00am to Mar 1, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sensory Friendly Sundays
For those visitors who enjoy a more relaxed experience, these hours allow for a quieter museum visit. Display lighting will be dimmed, and a break space and touch table are included.
Park film unavailable during these hours.
Date: Mar 8, 2026 12:00am to Mar 8, 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