What Is El Morro National Monument?
This national monument preserves a huge stone formation covered in historic etchings!
What Makes It Historical?
Known by many names, from A’ts’ina to El Morro to Inscribed Rock, this cuesta landmark has been a stopping point for generations! That’s because it collected water at its base and offered protection on top! The ancestors of the Zuni people who lived here between 1275 and 1400 AD, were the first to leave their marks upon this rock in the form of petroglyphs!
On March 11, 1583, Antonio de Espejo, in search of two missing Franciscan friars, was the first Spanish speaker to write about El Morro! Many Spanish soldiers would leave their signature “pasó por aquí” on this rock, including Don Juan de Oñate in 1605. He had taken on Felipe II’s order to colonize New Mexico but failed to find the riches he had imagined here!
Once New Mexico became part of the United States in 1848, US Army surveyors came through here to find suitable routes to the Pacific. This included the Camel Corps of 1857, whose camel supervisor, Peachy Breckenridge, left his signature here too! Many English signatures here came from surveyors from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1868, and it was their decision to route the railroad further north that effectively ended the widespread use of the route past Inscription Rock!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer at El Morro National Monument!
- Donate to El Morro National Monument!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
South of Highway 53
11.7 miles SE of Ramah, NM 87321
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
The visitor center is open Thursday through Monday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM!
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