Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Join us for a magical evening at the Story Telling Hour with Anthony Ryan Edaakie of the Zuni Pueblo! Anthony is the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Intern at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument!

Dive into the enchanting tale of The Land of Everlasting Winter and connect with the rich heritage of the Zuni Pueblo and Salinas Province.

Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable experience filled with laughter and connection! Don’t miss this chance to celebrate storytelling in our community!

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is excited to host special programs on March 28, 2026, to celebrate the monument’s paleontology and fossil discoveries.

In 2017, park staff discovered the fossil remains of a varanopid, an early mammal relative that lived ~275 million years ago, 30 million years before the first dinosaurs. Back then, the Salinas region was covered by a warm, shallow tropical sea, where these ancient creatures basked on the coast in the tropical sun, and lush forests sprouted between shifting coastal sand dunes. Following discovery, the fossil was transported to Petrified Forest National Park where it was conserved for display by park paleontologists.

Salinas Pueblo Missions will host special activities for all ages on Saturday, March 28, at its Mountainair Headquarters Visitor Center from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors will also be able to view the fossil daily at the visitor center.

Programs include:

· 9 am to 4 pm: Junior Ranger Activities for children.

· 11am: Public Presentation by NPS paleontologist Dr. Adam Marsh at the Manzano Mountain Art Council.

· 9 am to 4 pm: Artists Showcases by the park’s 2024 Artists-in-Residence, who developed original artwork inspired by the fossil.

We are thrilled to kick off our 2026 BARK Ranger season at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument on April 4 at the Quarai Unit! Just like our Junior and Senior Ranger activities, the BARK Ranger program lets your furry friends join the adventure and earn their ranger status too!

We're excited to welcome our partners from the Friends of the Mountainair Animal Shelter (FOMAS) as they share information about their organization and host educational presentations throughout the event.

• Meet our BARK ambassadors.
• Learn about dog etiquette in the park.
• Help spread dog adoption awareness with FOMAS.
• Bring your pup and join the fun—let’s make this a tail-wagging start to the season!

Join Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and the Friends of Mountainair Animal Shelter (FOMAS) for another BARK in the Park Hike! Just like our Junior and Senior Ranger activities, the BARK Ranger program lets your furry friends join the adventure and earn their ranger status too!  

We're excited to welcome our partners from FOMAS as they share information about their organization. So, join our BARK ambassadors as they support the 2026 BARK Ranger Program, learn about dog etiquette at the park, and help spread dog adoption awareness! 

Programs include:   

• 10AM – 12PM — Ranger-led Trail Hike with your furry friends! 

Bring your pup and join the fun! 

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (SAPU) is thrilled to welcome visitors for this year's World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) Day Count and Event on May 9! 

WMBD is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. The theme for WMBD 2026 is "Every Bird Counts - Your Observations Matter!" This year's theme highlights the important role of community science (also referred to as citizen science) for the conservation of migratory birds. 

On May 9, park staff, volunteers and our event partners, the Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico, is excited to welcome visitors of all ages to the Quarai Unit for several bird count hikes throughout the day, an educational presentation by the Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico on "Bird Migration and Bird ID," and for Jr. Ranger activities, giveaways and much more! 

Programs include:  

• 8AM - 10AM — 1st Bird Count Hike 

• 10:30AM - 11:30AM — Bird Migration and Bird ID Presentation 

• Dr. Laura Banks is the president of the Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico. The Bird Alliance is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Their mission is to protect and conserve birds and wildlife habitats in our region, support responsible stewardship of land, promote environmental education, and welcome all communities to join us in the love and appreciation of birds.  

• 11:30AM - 12:30PM — Lunch  

• Optional for visitors — Interpretive Trail Guided Hike 

• 12:30PM - 2:30PM — 2nd Bird Count Hike 

• 3PM - 4:30PM — 3rd Bird Count Hike 

• All-Day (8AM - 5PM) — Information Table with WMBD giveaways 

Join Park rangers and volunteers for a spectacular Dark Sky Event! As an International Dark Sky Park, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is proud to welcome you to the Abó Unit to experience the awe and wonder of the park’s pristine night skies! 

To kick off the evening, enjoy a ranger-led hike to introduce you to the Ancestral Pueblo and Spanish Mission site of Abó. The hike will introduce you to the tapestry of cultures of the Salinas Pueblo Missions and how their interconnectedness continues to shape New Mexico’s central region. After the hike, spend some time enjoying the park’s dark skies at the Telescope Viewing activity station. Or check out the Dark Sky Photography activity station to learn all about the tips and tricks of taking great photos (with your phone too!) of the dark skies. Select your best photo of the night and Park rangers and volunteers will print out the photo for you to take home as a souvenir! 

Our Dark Sky Events often feature speakers from partner organizations across New Mexico that introduce you to various topics on astronomy. Make sure to visit our website and social media to learn more about what we have in store for our monthly programs! 

For more information, please visit our website at Dark Sky Programs - Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) 

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is excited to participate in this year’s Rail Yards Market in Albuquerque on Sunday, May 31st for Indigenous Peoples Day and Sunday, September 6th for Multicultural Day! 

Park staff will have a community table where visitors can explore the deep cultural history of the Salinas region and learn about the park’s programs and upcoming events. As part of the Rail Yards Market vibrant Community Station, our team will be sharing free resources, answering questions, and engaging with guests of all ages!  

This tabling event offers a great opportunity to meet park staff and interns, discover upcoming events, and celebrate the cultural traditions that shape our region. Whether you are long-time supporter of Salinas Pueblo Missions, or you are learning about the park for the first time, everyone is invited to stop by, say hello, and explore how the legacies of this region continue to inspire stewardship and connection today! We look forward to joining the wider Albuquerque community for a day of culture, learning, and celebration. 

Event Offerings:  

• Connect with Salinas Pueblo Missions park staff and interns at our Outreach Table 

Join our park rangers for a guided hike at Quarai every Friday at 11:00 a.m. These 45‑minute walks are open to everyone — no reservation needed. Bring plenty of water, pack a snack, wear sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather. Along the way, rangers will share stories about the region’s layered cultural history, local wildlife, and other fascinating features of the landscape.

oin Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and the Friends of Mountainair Animal Shelter (FOMAS) for another BARK in the Park Hike! Just like our Junior and Senior Ranger activities, the BARK Ranger program lets your furry friends join the adventure and earn their ranger status too!  

We're excited to welcome our partners from FOMAS as they share information about their organization. So, join our BARK ambassadors as they support the 2026 BARK Ranger Program, learn about dog etiquette at the park, and help spread dog adoption awareness! 

Programs include:   

• 10AM – 12PM — Ranger-led Trail Hike with your furry friends! 

Bring your pup and join the fun! 

Join our park rangers for a guided hike at Gran Quivira every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. These 45‑minute walks are open to everyone — no reservation needed. Bring plenty of water, pack a snack, wear sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather. Along the way, rangers will share stories about the region’s layered cultural history, local wildlife, and other fascinating features of the landscape.