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El Morro National MonumentImage of the entrance sign to El Morro
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El Morro National Monument
Directions
Image of a woman painting a directional sign during the 1930s.
NPS photo
While no longer hand-painted like they were in the 1930s, signs along the highway will help lead you to El Morro.

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.

Image of historic Mesa-top Trail at El Morro National Monument  

Did You Know?
The Mesa-top Trail at El Morro National Monument was hand-carved into the sandstone by a Civil Works Administration (CWA) crew in 1933. CWA was one of the New Deal programs initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression.

Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:23 EST