• Historic inscriptions carved in the bluff at El Morro.

    El Morro

    National Monument New Mexico

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Stage 2 Fire Restrictions have been lifted

    Visitors may again use wood and charcoal grilles at the campground and smoke outside of their vehicles, but as always, no fireworks may be discharged. Do your part: don't let a wildfire start! More »

Animals

A pair of common ravens perch near the El Morro pond.

Even though it is a small area, El Morro National Monument contains a great diversity of animals, from the tiger salamanders swimming in the cliffside pool to the herds of elk that frequent the prairies and open woodlands. Birds, reptiles, and insects abound, and fascinating invertebrates inhabit the "tinaja" pools that fill bedrock basins at the top of the butte.

Pink-sided junco

Birds

A diversity of habitats attracts many species of birds to El Morro year-round. More ->
A rattlesnake's rattler

Reptiles

Warm summers bring out the snakes and lizards. More->

Spadefoot toad
Amphibians

Toads and salamanders in the desert? More ->
Tiger swallowtail

Butterflies

Wildflowers of every size and color attract amazing butterflies to the monument. More->

Did You Know?

Image of the 1st ranger cabin/tourist shelter at El Morro National Monument

The first ranger cabin at El Morro National Monument, which also served as a tourist shelter, was built in the early 1900s and began as nothing more than a wooden shed.