In late May this year, the week before Memorial Day we stayed in Farmington, NM on the way back from our daughter’s wedding. It seemed like a good “middle of the road” place to stop for the night. We had planned on stopping at the Aztec Ruins National Monument on the way to our B&B, but as plans go, we were late. So we set out the next morning after a great organic breakfast at the Silver River Adobe Inn B&B to take in the Old Pueblo Ruins.

These ruins were named “Aztec” erroneously if you have not figured that out by now. They are now believed to be the ruins left by the Old Pueblo Indians who moved from Chaco Canyon as the land succumbed to drought. Aztec was inhabited for over 200 years over 1000 years ago. Warren Harding declared it a National Monument in 1923. 2023 is its Centennial year. In December you can experience the Evening of Lights if you time it right.

The Aztec Ruins National Monument is within spitting distance of two or three rivers. Even now, after and especially good winter thaw, they show no sign of going dry. So, why the Pueblo Indians moved away from this paradise is a mystery. The Animus River is alive and well. It will be a good kayaking season.

What sets Aztec National Monument apart from Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon is that it is easily ADA-accessible for the most part. If you want to see Pueblo Indian Ruins up close and personal and cannot hike to get there, this is your trip.

Watch the following slideshow for some ideas of why you should visit.

a beautiful day at Aztec

Lovely Ruins

JIm and Zippy and Ruins

fun with Jim in Ruins

Aztec City

women walking in ruins

Walking the Aztec Ruins

Aztec KIVA2

In the Kiva

Aztec City Ruins

Cottonwoods and Aztec Ruins

outlying aztec city

 

Aztec Ruins National Monument
725 Ruins Rd.
Aztec NM 87410