 
National Parks & Recreation, National Forests, Ancient
Ruins and Monuments on NM Route 66
The National Forest and the National Parks Service have considerable
land holdings in New Mexico and along historic Route 66. They include hiking
trails, campgrounds, monuments, picnic areas, and scenic roadways. The
Parks Service, in particular, maintains a fascinating Web Site that includes
information on other historic Trails such as the Santa Fe Trail and the
Camino Rael. Listed below are geographically related stations and visitor
information centers to Route 66. Specific information such as maps, guides,
brochures and fee schedules can be obtained from these addresses. The Federal
Highway Administration maintains a Web Site for Federal Scenic Byways.
It can be reached at www.byways.org.
- National Forest Service
- Cibola National Forest
- 2105 Osuna NE
- Abq., N.M. 87113
- Ph. (505) 761-4658 (seasonal information)
- Mt. Taylor Ranger Station
- (Zuni Mountain Historic Auto Tour)
- Ph. (505) 287-8833
- Sandia Mt. Ranger Station
- Ph. (505) 281-3304
- Kiowa & Rita Blanca Ranger Station
- Ph. (505) 374-9652
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National Park Service
- P.O., Box 728
- 1220 S. St. Francis Dr.
- Santa Fe, N.M. 87504-0728
- Ph. (505) 988-6888
- http://www.nps.gov
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Ancient Ruins & Monuments
Coronado State Monument
Located on Highway 44 just off of I-25 and North of Bernalillo the Pueblo
of Kuaua was abandoned in the 1600s. An archaeological dig in the 1930s
uncovered the foundations and several Kivas ( one restored that visitors
can descend into). The views along the Rio Grande and of the Sandia, Jemez
and Sangre de Cristo mountains from the site are spectacular. There is
a campgrounds available.
- Ph. (505) 867-5351
El Malpais National Monument
Formed by millions of years of volcanic activity, the lava flows have
created a unique, beautiful and eerie landscape. The 115,000 acre monument
is also known for its archaeological sites. Located just West of Grants
off I-40, the visitors center has abundant information on trails and sites.
- P.O. Box 939
- Grants, N.M. 87020
- Ph. (505) 285-4641
- http://www.nps.gov/elma
- Pecos National Historical Monument
Pecos Pueblo may have been the largest of all pueblos just prior to the
arrival of the Spaniards. It stood at the threshold to the Plains and the
Native American tribes of those regions thus it was a major trade center.
One of the most visually stunning ruins, it is located 25 miles east of
Santa Fe off of I-25, near the current town of Pecos.
- Ph. (505) 757-6414.
Petroglyph National Monument
In the center of the developing area of Albuquerque's West Mesa is a nationally
protected 17 mile escarpment left from Volcano activity hundreds of thousands
of years ago. Along the escarpment carved or chipped into the rock are
over 15,000 petroglyphs created sometime between 1300 and 1600 ( there
are some newer ones). Several self-guided trails have been established
through parts of the park.
- Visitors Center
- 6001 Unser Blvd. NW
- Abq., N.M. 87120
- Ph. (505) 899-0205
- http://www.nps.gov/petr
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