• Historic inscriptions carved in the bluff at El Morro.

    El Morro

    National Monument New Mexico

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  • 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 »

Directions

Image of a woman painting a directional sign during the 1930s.

While no longer hand-painted like they were in the 1930s, signs along the highway will help lead you to El Morro.

NPS photo

From Albuquerque, NM, or from the east: take Interstate 40 west to Grants. At exit 81, go south on Highway 53 for 42 miles to El Morro National Monument.

From Flagstaff, AZ, or from the west: take Interstate 40 east to Gallup. At exit 20, go south on Highway 602 for about 31 miles. Turn east (left) onto Highway 53. El Morro is 25 more miles. If you’d like to drive through Zuni from the west, take exit 339 from Interstate 40 in AZ, and go south on Highway 191 for 24 miles. Take Highway 61/53 into Zuni. El Morro is about 36 miles from Zuni.

Caution: Commercial trucks frequent Highway 53. Please exercise caution when turning onto and off of the highway.

Did You Know?

Image of bark on alligator juniper tree

Alligator juniper got its name from its bark which resembles the scaly plates, or chutes, on an alligator's back.