The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

The Abó Unit of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, located west of Mountainair, New Mexico, spans approximately 370 acres and showcases a rich history dating back to around 800 AD. The site was initially occupied by the Pueblo people, who built rectangular red sandstone masonry pueblos and engaged in farming, hunting, and trading. When the Spanish arrived in 1581, they found a thriving community. The mission of San Gregorio de Abó was established in 1622, with the first church completed by 1626. Due to a growing population, a larger church was built by 1651, the remnants of which can still be seen today. Abó was abandoned in 1673 due to disease, drought, famine, and Apache raids, but Spanish settlers briefly returned in the 1800s. Visitors to Abó can explore the .75-mile interpretive loop trail through the 17th-century mission ruins, photograph 1820s Spanish resettlement structures, enjoy the natural surroundings, picnic in the designated area, and participate in ranger-led programs and special events. The site offers a unique glimpse into the region's history and cultural heritage.

The Outer Loop is one of many trails in a small network of trails in the Manzano Mountains State Park, a small, peaceful state park with camping and hiking. You can connect this well-maintained trail with several others to make pleasant hiking loops of any size through tall pine trees with mountain views.

The 1-mile Spanish Corral Trail, an offshoot from the main Quarai Ruins Trail, offers a gentle, well-maintained hike with gradual climbs leading to beautiful views of the ruins and surrounding mountains. The trail provides a glimpse into the area's natural wilderness and features red sandstone "veins" believed to be the source of the stone used for the historic structures. Named for its use as a horse corral by the Spanish, the trail is lined with fragrant rose bushes and a variety of wildflowers, making it a scenic and easy hike.

The Visitor Center at Quarai serves as a gateway to understanding the site's rich history and cultural significance. Inside, you'll find exhibits detailing the story of the ancestral Pueblo people, the Spanish mission, and the natural environment, providing historical context before you explore the trails and ruins. You can then hike the half-mile paved interpretive loop trail that takes you through the ruins, and if you wish to add more milage to your day, you can also explore the one-mile unpaved, primitive Spanish Corral Trail. Bird watching and photography are both very popular activities; don't miss the chance to capture stunning photos of the historic structures, and the beautiful scenery and wildlife.

The famous Quarai Church and Ruins are located nine miles north of Mountainair, New Mexico, and lie at the base of the Manzano Mountains. The area has a rich history tied to its natural spring, which drew the ancestral Pueblo people to settle and cultivate the land around 1300. The Tiwa-speaking inhabitants were primarily farmers who also traded, crafted tools, and produced intricate pottery. Quarai remained an isolated settlement until the establishment of the Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Quarai in 1626. The mission became a center for religious and cultural exchange between the Pueblo people and the Spanish. The church, constructed from locally quarried red sandstone, was an architectural marvel, designed to impress and inspire. Its ruins, which still stand today, glow a vivid red in the sunlight. Quarai remained an active mission and pueblo until 1677, when the community migrated north due to drought and pressures from raids.