This was a FABULOUS hike. Wore me out but well worth it. Spectacular sights all the way around. Crossing it canyon was an adventure too. I love everything about this place. The air conditioned visitor center felt so good after an hour and a half in the hot sun.

Great little hiking loop around the upper end of the canyon with some close and not-so-close views of architecturally unique towers and dwellings. While we did enjoy coming out here at least once, we felt more impressed by Chimney Rock and Aztec Ruins as they felt far more interactive and personal.

Out in the middle of nowhere land. BUT, such amazing examples of the talents of the ancient ones in building housing and water gathering. Rugged and hostile in the summer. Cold and difficult in the winter. Walking tour around the perimeter approximately 2 miles. Well worth the effort. Absolutely an amazing place!

The Square Tower loop trail at Hovenweep NM is an easy trail with multiple Ancestral Pueblo buildings along this canyon mostly within sight of each other. I love the one within the boulder since it's unique. I attended one of the ranger talks about it while I was there which was informative.

Very neat place to see pueblo ruins. Along the cliffs. A 2 mile loop allows you to see the whole pueblo. The 2 mile loop involves climbing down and up the canyon. Well done trail. Even has benches to rest. You will be in full sun with little shade.

This place is amazing. I hiked into Painted Hand Pueblo and Cutthroat pueblo. Absolutely breathtaking. I was able to take some amazing photos and it was so quiet and peaceful. There were no crowds. I saw six other people combined at both places and there were only a dozen or so people at the Visitors Center, including park employees, while I was there. This is a must see for anyone interested in the Ancestral Puebloan peoples... Or even if they are not.

It was a bit disappointing. You a lot of walking to not see very much. I don't think its anything like the descriptions you read where it says its the best ruins anywhere. I've seen better. Much better.

What a great hike this is - ruins are preserved, but the ecosystem is also worth stopping to marvel at an examine. The views are also incredible.

Adventurous canyon hike along slick rock, sand, and cliffside! Great canyon and mesa views, plus those of Sleeping Ute. A handful of precariously placed pueblo ruins will keep you hiking for more! Unfortunately, you can't really get close to any of them. So, enjoy the hike itself and bring plenty of water and sunscreen!

This is a great trail with nice scenery and lots of cool Ancestors Pueblo ruins. I turned around at the last listed ruin before the switchbacks since rain was rolling in. The trail was fairly easy up to this point. Next time I am around here and if the weather is nice, I will try to do the whole trail.

Loved hiking in the Canyon of the Ancients along the Sand Canyon Trail from the south trailhead! It is so peaceful. We hiked about 4 miles in to see all of the Pueblos. Then we hiked back to the car. We started early in the morning.

Well worth the hike to see. It’s not a short one either. We ended up turning back after the corn Cobb house.

Sand Canyon is a fantastic hike. We hiked to the 8th ruin, then turned around as it was a really hot day. Total hike mileage round trip to the 8th ruin, “house with standing curved walls” was 8 miles. It’s obvious that BLM or volunteers take special care of this area. The trail is wide and is fairly smooth dirt and sand surfaced and well maintained and edged with rocks or sticks to ensure people stay on trail. Horses and bikes are allowed on the main trail. Not only is this a great area to view ruins, but also has stunning views of the canyon, Mesa and Ute Mountain.

The Sand Canyon trail is a great hike if you want to get to some of the lesser visited archaeological sites in this region and get a nice hike in while you view them. Distance between the two trailheads and Sand Canyon is 6 miles. We opted to hike in about three and a half miles and hike back out. The archaeological sites are located within the first three miles of the trail. The portion that we hiked is a moderate hike, with little elevation changes. It is well worn and pretty well marked with cairns so we didn't have any difficulty following the trail. The trail is fairly exposed so if you're going out on hot days it would be best to go early morning. It took us about 2 and 1/2 hours and we took time to stop and take pictures and really look at the sites and the scenery in this canyon.

My family and I visited and were blown away. Antonio was very attentive and provided amazing suggestions for tasting. We met the owner and he was beyond hospitable and friendly. The wines were extraordinary and we are having several bottles shipped home. This was well worth the drive and time spent. We will visit again!

Nice little vineyard across from Sand Cayon TH. Freindly staff and good pizza! Loved the outdoor vibe. The wines were decent, though we felt they were a bit lean-bodied and fairly straightforward in flavor; plus hardly any if them from Colorado!..

So lovely! Customer service was above and beyond and I was so surprised how good the wine was!! Who would have thought in Cortez! Everything was top notch, from the wine to the pizza to the charcuterie board. Side note... I'm always nervous bringing my kids to typically adult places, but everyone was friendly and accommodating and I never felt unwelcome. Thanks! Can't wait to try more of your delicious wines.

Absolutely lovely winery! This little gem is secluded and quiet and full of personality! Antonio, the lovely gentleman who helped us, was very knowledgeable and friendly. We spent an afternoon tasting and snacking on charcuterie, hummus, and quiche. We played a game of cards on the patio and enjoyed the day! Beautiful location!

We dropped in after a hike around the Sand Canyon. It was lovely. Incredible view and delicious wine. The Chardonnay was a stand out, and we were able to have a quick chat with John (the owner) who had loads of interesting stories to share and gave us a good laugh. We loved it!

What a beautiful place to visit, fantastic wine 🍷 and great customer service that makes you feel like family. I was very fortunate to be able to attend this years end of harvest dinner party and it was absolutely extraordinary!!!

Who knew Colorado would have amazing red wines?! Kudos to the vintner who has created unique and flavorsome wines. The scenery is just gorgeous here. Harvest was underway and Ian was kind enough to walk me through the process and answer all my questions...with an added bonus of getting hiking tips for the surrounding areas. Definitely worth the stop if you're traveling through the area. Update 2023: I travel to the Colorado area every October from the East Coast and I make sure to find my way to Sutcliffe Vineyards, no matter what part of the state I find myself in. I had the unique opportunity to watch the annular solar eclipse here this year. John, the owner, is a true gem and I enjoy talking to him and hearing about his interesting and varied life. The wines are simply outstanding. I traveled here this year specifically for my favorite varietal, Petit Verdot, and it exceeded my expectations--absolute heaven in a glass. Thank you, Antonio, for your kindness and stellar service during my visit.

Overall, an interesting photo stop. Slightly expensive entrance fee(8$). I arrived in the afternoon, and waited in a 40 minute line to take a picture in the center 4 corners. I felt even one employee could have helped direct tourists. Some folks started to vocally voice their concerns aloud, as people in the front ‘took their time’. Was pleasantly surprised by the friendly local native people selling merchandise. They displayed hand painted art, magnets, postcards, stickers, and jewelry. I recommend to make this stop. There’s a few outdoor toilets around the area as well as plenty of dirt/rock parking spots. Surrounding the monument, there are a couple hiking paths.

This landmark has been on my must-see list for quite some time, and it did not disappoint. For just $8 per person, visitors can stand at the monument where four states meet and capture memorable photos. Surrounding the monument are numerous booths featuring handmade arts and crafts by local artists. Additionally, the outer rim of the monument offers several trailheads, providing a wonderful opportunity to explore each state. During our visit, we even encountered wild horses along the trail, making the experience all the more memorable.

⭐ Standing in Four States at Once! I visited the Four Corners Monument and it was such a fun and unique stop. The drive in is beautiful from any direction, and there are clear signs leading to the entrance. I bought my ticket at the gate and parked right next to the site — plenty of parking and clean public restrooms. Inside, there are many Native American (Navajo & Ute) craft stalls with souvenirs, jewelry, and local art. After that I walked straight into the monument area, where you can literally stand in four states at once — Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. There were other visitors but it never felt crowded. There’s a short line to take the classic photo on the exact “four states” marker, so a little patience is needed, but totally worth it. The whole area is clean, organized, and easy to explore. On the way out you can also stop by the state welcome signs for Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation for extra photos. A really cool and memorable experience. Highly recommended! 📸🇺🇸

We rode our motorcycles from Phoenix out to Four Corners, and it was an unforgettable trip. The ride itself was scenic with plenty of open roads, mountains, and desert views along the way. Stopping at Four Corners Monument was a fun experience—standing in four states at once is something you don’t do every day. The area has several local vendors with handmade crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs, which added to the charm. It’s definitely more of a quick stop than an all-day activity, but worth it for the unique landmark and the ride to get there. If you enjoy road trips and motorcycle rides, this is a great destination to check off the list.

Welcome to the American west. This was a long time bucket list item ✔️. My beloved uncle Richard and aunt Margaret visited decades ago. Their memories served to inspire mine. This is the only location throughout the continental USA where four states intersect at single point. It would be interesting understanding the reasons behind the state line decisions. I recall there being a PBS production discussing how various state lines came to be. Meanwhile, we drove scenic highway 160 from Durango. The sandstone terrain felt mesmerizing; this was a visual I had seen only in western films. There were shapes, dimensions, and formations carved into this unique dusty landscape covering millions of years, dare I say perhaps even a billion years. This area once comprised oceanic territory. Ours was a stunningly beautiful drive. Arriving, the four corners monument is well marked and easily located. We knew in advance there would be an $8 per person entry fee. Probably $5 per person would have been more appropriate but their price is the price. No reason to haggle, just enjoy. After parking, we noticed there were restrooms (porta-potty) available, food trucks, vendors, and the four-corners intersection. On this Friday, there weren’t many visitors yet, so there wasn’t overt pressure to rush photos. I highly recommend taking your time. We helped other couples take photos, while they reciprocated. This was an efficient tradeoff. Afterwards, we toured the vendor area engaging with the craftsmen, and in one case observed the final coat of paint being intricately applied to the pottery. Interesting and educational experience! The product quality was undeniably high. My only regret was not taking time to short-hike the terrain behind the monument. Afterwards, we returned immediately to Durango. If you are considering going, GO, this a once in a lifetime very worthwhile experience:

The last time I was here was 1992, and this time was staying in the area. Visited during the week in the shoulder season, so fewer visitors. The local vendors offer varied handmade art and craft works. Since I was there last, the Navajo Nation developed a short hiking trail at the end of the parking lot, the Dancing Horse Trail. I was so very happy to have the opportunity to revisit the site, on a beautiful November day.

It’s kinda cool straddling 4 states. Bit of a tourist trap. It’s really only this one spot for pictures. You get in line and snap a few. Not entirely sure it’s worth the $8 per person but it’s something to check out. There are vendors that line the area. If you’re looking for some unique souvenirs. We went off season - the vendor we spoke to said it’s usually really busy until mid Sept.

Four corners monument was out of my way but on my list. Was a little bit busy not bad. $8 per person worth a one time thing.

We were just passing through the area and needed a place to stop for lunch. There were picnic tables and the signs around the visitor center said open, but everything was barred up and did not look very welcoming so I'm not sure how people were getting tours. Anyway you can see Chimney Rock from the side of road and it's pretty interesting. There is some information there to read about the site to learn a little more.

Thank you, Veronica, Jasmine, and Rickie for our full-day tour. We appreciate all of the pre-trip planning you helped us with, and we had a great day with Rickie. He validated what we had learned from prior reading and expanded our knowledge even further. The sites in Mancos Canyon were phenomenal teaching stops. Walking just under the rim in Lion Canyon was fantastic—I wish the trail could be longer! Rickie, we appreciate all of your teaching.

Drove by here Nov 3 but everything was closed up. It looked deserted and it not see any signs saying when it reopens. It’s worth it to pull over in the pullout and walk up to the centre to read the sign boards. Beautiful site and I’m sure the tours would be amazing. Gave it a 3 only because nothing was open….

A must do. If Mesa Verde National Park is on your travel itinerary, add at least the half day tour here. You’ll want to call ahead to confirm. Tours start at 9am- arrive at 8:30a to check in. Our tour guide was Wolf, one of only 2 guides here. You’ll gain an understanding of the culture and experience the past in a completely different and arguably better way than the way folks at the National Park do it. The sites are stunning and well worth it!

It was gorgeous! We stayed on the paved road as it was directed due to this being a sacred site. But even with three miles out this was a fantastic place to look at! Wish we could have gone closer but we have to respect the rules. Breathe taking view regardless! And the mountains across from the ship rock were gorgeous as well

My mother and I were lost trying to find Four Corners and we stopped here to ask directions. The lady in the visitors center was very helpful!

My second favorite tour of the 3 we took. Ranger Julia (my favorite Ranger that guided us on a tour!) shared her wealth of knowledge of the park and its history with us, and we had the pleasure of hearing Ranger Bonnie play her flute on the tour. What an incredible experience!

It's an amazing experience. It's great to be able to walk through this beautiful Ancestral Puebloan ruin. The Rangers provide lots of information about their culture, the area, and the ruins.

We visited Mesa Verde at the end of July and were very fortunate to book a ranger guided tour for Long House. Tours sell out quickly and it's best to book in the morning as soon as they become available. Currently (as of July 2022) the tour tickets are posted to recreation.gov at 8am MST 14 days ahead of time. Long house is stunning, and it's a very exciting experience to hike down to the 800 year old cliff dwelling. The tour was thought provoking and well timed. Parking for the tour is at Wetherill Mesa. Do be aware you must hike to the Long House trail head, about a 15 minute walk. Additionally you must arrive 15 minutes early for a safety briefing, so all in all give yourself an extra 30 minutes from your arrival time to the parking lot. We also visited Cliff Palace, which just opened to tours for the summer due to road construction. Cliff Palace is gorgeous and incredibly well preserved, it's a powerful experience to walk through the site and imagine the amazing challenges and joys of living in the Palace. One of the rangers who spoke at the palace was part of the indigenous intern program and we felt fortunate to hear her from unique perspective and cultural connection to the site. If you only have time to tour one site, we would definitely recommend the Long House tour over Cliff Palace, you can get great views of cliff Palace without the tour. Give yourself plenty of time ahead of the tours and pack water.

I feel so lucky to see and go through this amazing place. The ranger leading the tour gave so much information about the place and the people that used to live here. I allocated enough time to get to the meetup point before my scheduled tour. Some folks missed the previous tour because they didn't realize they had to hike quite a bit to get there from the parking lot. The ranger was nice enough to let them join our tour. It was in the 90s when I was doing the tour and the heat made it tougher. I'm glad I got lots of water.

This trip and tour is not for the meek. If you choose and book it, get a morning tour because of sun placement. Our tourguide was outstanding and assisted in better understanding of the dwellers community. The insight and history provided gives insight to the period of cliff dwellers.

Incredible place!! you could get inside some if it. Rangers did a great job on the tour. The hike in and out is little bit strenuous when the temp is around 90, but well worth it. It's unbelievable what people could accomplish 1,000 yrs ago. What a fantastic place to visit and learn.

Absolutely spectacular! Long House is the second largest set of ancient ruins within Mesa Verde, but they are only accessible by ranger-guided tours that are offered seasonally. Make reservations in advance, because tours are limited to 30 people.. Tours last 2 to 2.5 hours, and the hike is moderately strenuous with mostly paved trails, switchbacks and steps to descend into the canyon, and ladders and steps to explore within the ruins. Only water may be taken into the ruins, so eat your lunch and snacks BEFORE you start the hike.

This was a fun hike. It's a loop (start by going to the right). We did this in the middle of February. It starts out paved for a short while, then a bit muddy, followed by an intermittent dry with rocks and boulders to approximately 2" of snow. The beginning is more challenging until you get to the turn and head back. The trail is clearly marked with ribbons on the tree. You climb up staircases made of rocks and over some boulders. The hardest point is at the turn. If you are not the fittest for hiking, start left and when you get to the point turn-around. Or perhaps just walk the paved area and view the village from the benches. There is plenty of parking, a museum, and clean bathrooms. Don't forget, veterans, and they're entire car load, can enter the park for free, with proof of service.

Decent hike in terms of the actual walking and terrain, but the views as you walk and the ultimate payoff in terms of the petroglyphs are a little underwhelming. Better hiking options elsewhere in the park

Not the easiest trail, but definitely worth it. Don't forget water! If it's even a little sunny, the combination of altitude and the fact you're in the desert make it less pleasant. Lucky for us, it clouded over just as I was starting to hate my life choices. As others have noted, it's best to hike this counter-clockwise, following the signs into the canyon, then returning to the mesa top after finding the petroglyphs. Overall, trail's just under 2.5 miles long.

This trail is awesome. Be sure to do it counterclockwise. Starts in the canyon...if you're starting on the Mesa...turn around and walk into the canyon, then start the trail. Be aware of loose rocks. I wish I could hike this trail more often.

One of the best trails to hike in Mesa Verde! The hike is listed as strenuous and there were lots of climbing up and down and steep inclines. However, the views were just breathtaking and makes all the blood sweat and tears all worth it. Definitely make sure to have enough water especially on hot days. The trail is about a 2.4 mile loop. Half of the loop is relatively flat and not rocky. The other half is all the steep inclines and rocky terrain.

FANTASTIC hike - and definitely some aspect of strenuous to it.. highly recommended that you follow the trail counterclockwise - ie start from the Spruce Tree House and descend down from there - don't start walking on the flat plateau first! The incline and steep steps at the halfway point by the petroglyphs were MUCH easier to go up than to try to climb down from the plateau!

Starts out fun but quickly gets icy, some parts are scary with ice and a massive drop next to you. If you're going in the winter months bring spikes for traction. I am not the most experienced hiker and this gave me some scares along the hike especially near the end. Would not recommend for beginners although sights are amazing.

Highly recommend this hike! It’s 2.4miles (3.9km). There is a “right way” to go around the trail. Start by going down toward Spruce Tree House. There are numbers around the trail. If you find the lower numbers first then you are going the right way. There is a decent amount of climbing. I recommend doing this one earlier in the day when it’s not so hot.

Fantastic hike! Only one building and area with strong petroglyphs. Fun rock scrambles, tight squeeze in one area, lots of stairs. Great "hard" hike. Awesome caves and places with shade in the beginning if you start by going down into the valley from the museum.

This was so great to see! We didn't hike all the way down because we had little kids and it was hot outside but we got close enough. So awesome. I'm so glad we came! There is a bathroom not too far from here. And a museum, an old post office, and a ranger station.

To see this was our main reason for visiting the park. wasn't able to see it up close because the trail is closed but there is a nice observation area just across from it for good photos and the trail head is near the gift shop/museum. I highly recommend a visit to this NP!

Make sure you thoroughly research any national parks you're going to before taking to Google maps to post negative reviews because you can't bother to see on the NPS website that this location has been closed indefinitely for 7 years due to safety concerns. Even from a distance, this is still pretty spectacular to see. There's a pretty great overlook just behind the museum and offices - it's a little steep, but it is paved, and only a few hundred feet from the road. We were hiking the Petroglyph Point Trail and thought maybe there'd be a better vantage point down in the canyon, but (at least in July) the trees are almost too dense to see anything especially well.

You can view the Spruce tree house from distance behind the museum. I wish if I could go there but they have closed the trail and do not allow any visitors to go near Spruce tree hiuse due to safety concerns. There are no tours for this place but it is amaong to see the structures :)

Closed until 2019 due to efforts to the NPS's efforts to stabilize and protect this treasure, but it was open when I last went and it was wonderful, and had the added bonus of being the largest major ruin you could visit on a self-guided tour. Currently, there is a good view of the ruins you can access. Don't miss it.

I enjoyed watch a sudden thunderstorm over the Spruce Tree House, there were two instant waterfalls next to the Spruce Tree House and right over it. You instantly realized why the ancient natives selected this place for dwelling, maybe easy access to rain falls and water collection? I even caught a lightning on my video, it was awesome! Cheers!

Do the guided tour! You get to walk down to the ruins, and hear so much of the story of the lives of the people who lived there. So much knowledge, and facts you don't get on your own. The bus takes you there and back, and it's worth a day or half day of exploring!!

🌄 Absolutely Worth the Visit – Cliff Palace is a Must-See! 🏺✨ If you’re visiting Mesa Verde, Cliff Palace is THE highlight you can’t miss! It’s truly a step back in time – standing in front of those ancient cliff dwellings is absolutely surreal. You must see it with your own eyes to believe it. 🎟️ TRAVELER TIP: Make sure to buy your $8 ticket in advance on recreation.gov — it’s the only way to access the site and tours book up fast! The tour is ranger-guided and filled with fascinating facts about the Ancestral Puebloans who built this breathtaking structure. 🚗 It’s a 20-mile scenic drive from the park entrance to Cliff Palace, so plan accordingly. I recommend the early morning tour – not only is it cooler and more shaded, but the lighting makes the views even more magical! 💧 No hiking trails around this area, and no water nearby, so come prepared with your own refillable bottle. 🚻 Bathrooms near the site were very stinky during our visit – just a heads-up! 🏞️ The visitor center, however, was a pleasant surprise: super clean, with great exhibits, awesome souvenirs, and seriously delicious food! Great spot to recharge before or after the tour. ⛰️ Whether you're a history buff or a nature lover, Cliff Palace is a unique adventure that’s 100% worth it. Just plan ahead, come early, and soak it all in!

Definitely worth the tour reservation fee. I would say the reservation is a requirement because most tours are full and will not be able to accept walk-ups. We went the end of September, so it was warm, not hot. We were expecting cold and rainy, but the forecast change that morning. We arrived early ended up listening to the one ranger and almost discourage people from going on the tour due to a variety of possible health issues. We did not receive the same speech from our tour guide, just basics regarding being able to climb the ladders. I would recommend a good pair of shoes, as there is sand on the rock stairs on the way down and up. My wife is definitely afraid of heights, but has very little issue in climbing any of the ladders, so this should not dissuade you in going. The history is interesting, and should almost be reverent in realizing we are more alike as humans than we are different. I was wondering about the lighting for photography. We wanted an earlier start, and we didn't have to fight with half shadows. But I am still wondering if the late afternoon shadows provide added texture to the photos in general... Thoroughly enjoyed our tour at Cliff Palace.

Reservations required! You can go to recreation.gov and tickets are $8/person. There are also restrooms and water available at this trailhead. I’m afraid of heights, and did just fine with the ladders on this tour, so don’t worry too much about that. Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America and I loved learning about the history of the ancestral Pueblo peoples. Mesa Verde in general is such a unique place, and a must stop if you’re in the area.

Was a cool experience to be able to see how people lived in the cliff dwellings. You don’t really get to explore or take photos, just kinda listen to the ranger talk about the history and walk through. It was a nice experience, but wasn’t overall exciting.

Beautiful view of Cliff Palace. We took a visit mid-November and it was crowd-less which was nice. It’s a long drive to these views but worth it, bring snacks and a lunch. Stop at the visitor center, get your passport book stamped and then head into the park.

Absolutely worth the $8/person tour! Must be able to climb ladders and walk up/down steep steps! Definitely wear good hiking/active shoes

This was my favorite tour of the 3 we did. If your can only do one, this is the one! Ranger Jay was so knowledgeable and engaging. I was never bored listening to her speak! The exit out of the dwelling was really cool and a fun experience with ladders and ancient stairs climbing between boulders

The tour is definitely worth it and Mesa Verde is a great park with tremendous cultural heritage. My only complaint would be that the park service guide talks continuously, so there is no time for reflection or a chance to just soak up the site. Would be nice if they left a little time for folks to be able to look around in quiet and just “be there” to imagine what it was like 700 years ago. (For clarity, there is no way to view the Balcony House except on a guided tour.)

Overall a cool experience. It’s a big tour group and you don’t really get to explore anything other than just listening to the ranger talk and then taking some photos. Really neat to see and if this is something you’re into you’d probably love it. Climbing the ladders if you’re not used to the elevation can definitely gas you out! They weren’t really hard to do and I wouldn’t say anything was challenging but it’s a little scary climbing up with someone in front of you and thinking they may fall on you… lol. It was nice and sunny when we did it, I would not want to go while things are wet. If you look up balcony house in google maps you can go there and that’s the area you will meet you’ll see a shaded area towards the trail head.

Awesome place to take the kids. Make sure you get the reservation. Bring sunscreen, and some water. The walk there is not strenuous but if you are not mild to moderately active you may have a hard time going up the ladders. But the main thing is reserve online before for the guided tour or else you won't be able to go. Such an awesome place

This is potentially the most strenuous tour on the Mesa Verde Park. It is best in the afternoon due to sun placement. You will climb up a forty foot ladder, go through a door and crawlspace about the side of a large picture frame. If you are willing to take the challenge, you will have experienced something most visitors never see. The site is impressive and the tourguide was outstanding.

It was a wonderful fun adventure climbing, crawling and climbing through the ancient ruins. Our Ranger guide did an exceptional job telling us about the Puebloan culture and ruins

This tour is amazing. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. If you're afraid of heights, and can't climb ladders this is not your tour.

I really liked the tour. You have to drive close to 40 mins from the entrance of the park. Ranger Frank was really nice in explaining the details and the background of Mesa Verde. He was eleborative and briefed us about what we can expect at the start of the tour. It is amazing to see how people used to live hundreds of years back.

Local jewel especially week days. Appreciate city adding more bathrooms and trash receptacles. areally fun beach site w water play float.

Nice little lake. We didn't catch anything today but it says: Pike, Trout, Bass and Catfish possible. $1 per person for access. Area is well kept.

First time at lake and my family really had a fun. So many locations to stop and swim and other side of lake to fish we loved!

A new campground in Farmington Nm. Nice flat sites with table and firepit/grill. Views are fantastic of the snowcapped mountains in Colorado. The lake is still being developed for beach access but assessble when we were here. They have a boat ramp, restrooms and dumpsters thru out. Our site was huge for only $10 a nite 14 day stay limit. Drycamping only. Ice and water can be bought just down the road at Dollar General.The entrance to lake is easy to miss, hopefully I showed enough photos of the exit to take.

Between the varied fishing, hiking, and swimming options, Farmington Lake also allows the use of boats and kaiaks. The only restrictions are that there are no gas engines allowed and all water craft must be inspected before each time it is launched into the lake. This safety measure is a quick and painless stop on your way in, so no stress. Current planning has handicapped fishing areas, overnight campgrounds, large and small day use areas, and walking or biking paths being installed, adding to the allure for out of town visitors. However, watching one amazing New Mexico sunset over the lake will have you coming back year after year.

Wonderful place to go for the day,then home 🏡 is so close!!!

Friend died here. Drowned trying to save her young granddaughter- Who was NOT wearing a life vest. This lake needs patrols to keep kids without vests out of water and parents to be fined. Controlled entrances and block off areas.

A lovely museum in a beautiful setting! Easy parking and handicap accessible. Nice displays of Navajo culture and history. The trip there, passing by mesas and inspiring rock formations, is alone worth the trip. Only two miles from famous "window rock."

No flags on Memorial Day!! Not even an open restroom. Our ancestors, Navajo warriors deserve better on such an auspicious day. Shame on you.

From the moment you arrive at Window Rock Tribal Park, you’re greeted by the majestic red sandstone arch which gave the Navajo Nation capital its name. The dramatic natural formation makes for beautiful photos and offers a meaningful backdrop. At the base of the rock, the statue of a Navajo Code Talker, complete with his radio, stands as a powerful centerpiece.

Such a beautiful memorial in the most amazing setting. We were surprised how emotional we became reading the plaques and history of the Navajo Code Talkers. It’s just an incredible place to honor these brave souls

If you've been to the memorial statue and museum in Gallup, I'd like to point you to a second memorial, at Window Rock Tribal Park, only about a 30 to 40 minute drive away in Window Rock Arizona, where you’ll find a brother to the 8.5 foot bronze statue here at the Cultural Center. You’ll drive through tribal buildings to a parking lot right in front of the Park. There, you can take in the views of Tseghahoodzani (Say-GAH-hoh-tsah-nee) The Window Rock. Which sits sentinel over the statue, the memorial wall, and the center memorial for the those Missing in Action. It is a beautiful park.

Window Rock is the capital of the Dine Nation. I’ve wanted to visit for many years. It was an honor to be there.

Very beautiful natural monument, and paying tribute to their Warriors.

A lovely little museum on the Navajo reservation. Doesn't have the displays of large, well-established museums, but does a nice job, lovely building, helpful staff, and a beautiful setting near Window Rock. A worthwhile visit!

Absolutely amazing place to learn the history of the Navajo Nation. I even got to meet Miss Navajo Nation. The zoo right next door is a pretty good little zoo with an eagle sanctuary. There is no fee for entry.

Interesting history of the 'Long Walk'. Great displays of art & code talker instruments. It's a Harvest Host so you can glamp 1 night.

Beautiful art. A great introduction to the navajo culture from different perspectives. Visited when they had the Navajo Treaty.

Worth the stop! Great exhibits and ample parking, even for our big rig. The gift shop should sell handmade navajo crafts, though. Something more than socks, tees and books.

This was a sobering visit. The main exhibit was aboit the forced heard reduction, when the US Government forced the sheep hearders to thin their flocks, sometimes just killing the sheep outright. It was a hard exhibit to walk through, but a must see. If our current president had any sway here, this exhibit would be closed. Fortunately, he does not. These stories must be told.

He museam is nice. Don't forget to check out the Navajo Nation Museam Trail (Navajo Code Talker Trail) which starts just outside the museam. The 2 mile out and back hike takes you to another trail that goes to the hole in the rock.

Love the Bisti bad lands, just wish it was better marked. We hiked for 4 hours and really enjoyed the landscapes and sites. Even saw 4 Jack rabbits.

If you’re unfamiliar with the area but an avid hiker, Bisti Badlands is an amazing area to check out on your own, so long as you’ve come prepared with GPS coordinates, maps, and parking advice. I have no affiliation with it, but we used Firefall Photography’s website for excellent resources on all of that, including pinpoints for the north/south parking areas. As experienced hikers (Grand Canyon, Utah parks, Himalayas, etc.), we know our limitations, including the fact that our GPS apps often make quirky jumps in extremely remote areas, so we tried to pick and choose our priorities, ultimately deciding that we could manage the Bisti portion by ourselves. (We did the De-Na-Zin side the following day, with a guide. We had limited time to explore and didn’t want to waste it false-navigating to permitted parking sites or major landmarks on our own, especially in monsoon season, so we signed up for the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah tour offered by Navajo Wilderness Adventures for that area — absolutely wonderful!) On our independent day at Bisti, we arrived around 3 p.m., and a few sprinkles started just after 7 p.m., cutting off our desire to stay into the golden/blue hours, but it’s worth visiting no matter the time of day. Since we had only one sunrise moment to spend there, we decided to end at Wings, despite having read that the Eggs don’t photograph well in brighter light, and we were pleased with that choice in the end, since we had “near sunset” at the gorgeous hill of wings. Overall, in just under five hours, we made it from the Eggs to the Wings and hit nearly every major formation in between, including the Rock Garden, petrified wood, Hoodoo City, Vanilla Hoodoos, Manta Ray, and more. We found that some of our GPS points didn’t quite match the Firefall map (including at the Beige Hoodoos and Manta Ray), but going armed with general AllTrails locations, Firefall and AllTrails maps, Gaia, and a tiny print map with photos made it all come together, allowing us plenty of time to photograph the landscape from vantages up, down, and all around. The relatively flat terrain made our nine miles of hiking relatively simple (but do avoid it after rain where possible), and it was a fantastic journey — such mesmerizing formations and astounding landscape!

This wilderness area is a beautiful place filled with adventure and incredible scenery. A word of caution, this area is pretty desolate, and the weather can be extreme. The summer heat can be dangerous, and rain storms can make the dirt roads very difficult to drive on. Cell phones don't always have connections, so just make sure you're prepared for anything that could go wrong. Make sure to have plenty of water, proper shoes, or anything else that you normally hike with. That said , enjoy your adventure and the incredible scenery.

Wow!! The pictures don’t justify the beauty of this place. We did few trails on this BLM managed wilderness and badlands. This place is wide spread, high clearance vehicle is recommended by not necessary on dry days! Trails are not marked, we had trails and maps downloaded in All Trails App and it was easy to follow the track through app. Without maps we would not have made it to alien throne and wings! Unbelievable and awesome rock formations throughout.

A long way to see little. But it was still an experience due to the sand storm, the desertedness, off the beaten path all alone with no trails to follow.

We went in from the south entrance. I recommend taking frequent pictures of the trail as you go in so you can find your way back.

The unpaved road and lack of signal makes it very difficult to access. No restroom, or anything. You are completely by your own. We drove for 20 min without seeing any other car, that part really concerned me. What if something happens, we would have no way to ask for help 😭

Loved it! So neat to buy directly from a Native Anerican silversmith. To chat with him/ her, get a history on the piece, is fantastic. Plenty of food vendors, wear a hat and have sunscreen in summer.

The heart of Native artists! Beautiful art and jewelry! We had such a fun, great time! Looking forward to going again!

Best place to get Great prices on jewelery and tee shirts and blankets. When you have exploded your brain looking at prices in shops which are high, come here. Every Saturday. You will love it.

Great time. Friendly people. Great coffee and fry bread. Bought a pair of lovely earrings and some squash

Good varieties of hot foods desserts and breads. Clothes jewelry tools even potbelly pigs for sell

Good place to walk around and find items you didnt know you needed.

This was quite a happening on Saturday, including live music at one end of the parking area... A big selection of foods and things to browse, and buy. My favorite thing was that the children had a special place to hang out run by ATD Fourth World , non profit.

Visited in September 2025. Nice collection of Route 66 signs.

Gallup Cultural Center Route 66 Gallup, New Mexico Most of the time, when we visit Gallup, New Mexico, we only spend the night. Usually we arrive in Gallup in the evening. During our travels we visited several places, such as the Historic El Rancho Hotel, which we have had dinner several times. During our visits, there is one place that has always peeked our interest, The Gallup Cultural Center. This trip we decided to visit before leaving the town. The Gallup Cultural Center is located in the Historic Santa Fe Depot, and the center was created in 1996 by the Southwest Indian Foundation. It was created to show the culture and history of Native American tribes near and in Gallup, New Mexico. The Cultural Center has a public square where people from the community, school children, and visitors can use it as a place for forums, lectures, and other different events. The museum is located on the second floor of this historic building. The museum was quite impressive with many historical aspects and displays of the Native American culture from this area and neighboring areas. Looking through all the past and present photos, pottery, artwork, and sculptures was a great experience, and we both learned more about the culture and arts. There is also a small theater decorated with Route 66 motif. Here at the museum, you will also find exhibits on Gallup's Route 66 history. The museum itself is beautiful and easy to walk around to look at all the beautiful exhibits and artwork. The Cultural Center also offers visitors a great place to dine, which is Angela's Cafe. Yes, the food was delicious and the service was fantastic. The center also offers a great bakery called The Juniper Bakery. The desserts were delicious, especially the Blue Corn Cookies and macaroons. We also met the owner, and she was great, and so were the other staff members. If you want a delicious lunch that is light, fresh, and flavorful, then I would definitely suggest Angela's Cafe. We had a fantastic experience at both the cafe and bakery. Every staff member we met was all friendly and informative. This shows excellent guest service to their visitors. This cultural center is a place where visitors to Gallup should visit. It's a beautiful place with a great museum, a fantastic cafe, and a wonderful bakery. We learned so much about the heritage, culture, and arts of Native Americans. I will admit we both have been fascinated by culture and history. We definitely will visit again when we are in Gallup, New Mexico.

What a great place! The former El Navaho Hotel and Santa Fe Railway Station is still a working Amtrak station but also houses a wonderful museum upstairs. We learned so much about the Gallup region! The museum is free, but donations are appreciated. Angela's Cafe, a nice place to get a sandwich for lunch, is downstairs.

Very cool little museum, friendly self guided tour with a Cafe and shop, admission is free.

We were honored to learn the history of Gallup and the Navajo culture with Terrie at the Gallup Cultural Center. Her commitment and heart were so evident. If you are in the area you must stop by; you will be inspired. We returned in the evening to watch the Zuni Dance group perform!

Very good history and walk self walk thru. There was no air conditioning, but fans worked well.

Cultural Center and museum in Gallup is free but I always suggest making donation for the museum and it's upkeep

We stayed at the campground for one night on our way through town. What we liked: close to the interstate, easy in and out and the incredible views. I recommend getting here early and take a hike, the scenery is beautiful and it’s a nice way to stretch your legs after a day of travel. What we didn’t like: train noise all night long, a lot of garbage and debris both in the campground and surrounding area, lose dogs in the area (none aggressive but we have a small dog and that’s just not cool), one of the two bathrooms wasn’t working and one of the two dump stations wasn’t working so there seems to be some maintenance challenges here. Also noteworthy is there’s a fairly large number of resident campers on site. We had no issues but I know that’s concerning to some so I thought I’d mention it.

We give Red Rock Park five stars just for the wow factor on the hike out back. The facilities are ok, not the cleanest place we’ve stayed. But the hike - unbelievable.

Nice super in Gallup! It’s a bit dated and there were wild dogs running around but nice hikes and place to spend a few Days.

Beautiful place to camp Sites were exceptionally large We had a water and electric site.

Stopped on our way to Grand Cayon. Will be visiting nearby Petrified Forrest and Meteor Crater after the stay. Some of the site numbers were hard to find but easy to maneuver around this park. Greeted by tumbleweeds, a dirt devil, and Prarie dogs (i think I dunno they were cute and went down a hole) You can hike the nearby trailhead which offer great views, but I'll opt for rest from the long drive before other sites tomorrow.

We were there late on a Sunday afternoon. Looks like the hike would be outstanding.

Such a great place to hold events! The setting has to be one of the coolest places to be. The Red Rocks totally Rock!!!!

So as far as the lake and campground they are a 5 star. The reason I have a 1 star rating is the fact that I had caught my limit of trout and brought them back home to clean and while I was cleaning them I decided to see what else they were eating and checked the stomachs and found multiple live flatworms inside of them. And now I have to get my dog treated for flatworms as she likes to eat raw fish meat while I'm cleaning them. I have checked many fish from other lakes and this is the first time I've found flatworms inside of any trout I've caught in New Mexico. So please BE AWARE OF FLATWORMS INSIDE OF THE TROUT HERE.

Very beautiful, there is also a playground at the campsite for littlest. We did a nature walk for my little guy's 4th birthday and it was beyond gorgeous

Nice park overall. Can flood when it rains. Could hear dogs or coyotes in the distance most of the night. Many reserved spots and fewer campers present. Many bird wildlife species and decent fencing for safety. Lots of trails and great views on the lake side.

We really liked this place and found the people mostly to be friendly. However, it looks like they haven't allowed campfires there in years. We did a little swimming and it was very pleasant

At the time, we were unable to have a camp fire.. nothing to burn except the wood we brought with us for 50 yards.. didn't make any sense at all .. we left first thing in morning to go camping elsewhere... Last time 2 weeks before we had a great time.. why we went back.. fishing was no good at all.. nobody caught anything... We asked everyone.. but it was great to just get out and relax.. we camped in the primitive area next to the lake...

First time to visit. Nice lake, lots of space for primitive camping, as well as have a no wake zone. Makes it easy to use man powered vessels on the lake too. Will be back .

The campground has a mix of electric only, primitive, and tent only sites. There is a dispersed camping area on the lake shore. At least one dog was running off leash around the area. RV sites are not level but not terribly tilted. The site map was confusing but I finally found my reserved spot. I'd come back here again if in the area.

Driving down HWY 53, as you come around a bend in the road, off in the distance, a tall, beautiful, and commanding sight comes into view. El Morro. A mesa that is a natural History museum in its own right. The Park is beautifully maintained by the NPS. The museum has beautiful pieces of history in it. The gift shop has so many cool things inside. The restrooms were clean, the water fountain had ice cold water available. Park Ranger Boone stands out almost as much as El Morro itself. Ranger Boone welcomed us as we entered as if we were entering his own home. He told us the tale of the history of El Morro, it's cultural significance, walked us through the map of the park with expert experience. He told us about how he came to El Morro as a child and now has his dream job of working there. His passion and knowledge of the park and history made our trip to El Morro so much more special. Thank you Ranger Boone for making us feel so welcomed to El Morro. Thank you NPS for keeping the park in such excellent condition. So yeah, definitely come here. It was a fantastic hike, beautiful views, and cool history.

El Morro is a beautiful hidden gem in western New Mexico. The 2+ mile loop trail is super well-marked and scenic, with stairs carved right into the rock. Definitely go left at the trailhead, it’s an easier climb that way. The views from the top are incredible, and the historic carvings along the trail make it even more special. The park ranger we met was super helpful and friendly, pointing out cool spots we would’ve missed. The campground was also a nice surprise, quiet, clean, and surrounded by trees. Great stop if you’re passing through or looking for a peaceful place to camp.

Wonderful place to visit. See petroglyhs, inscriptions, take a hike up to the Pueblo ruins on top. Well worth the trip. The staff here is excellent , knowledgeable, and super friendly. Everything was well kept. Go see it.

Visited on 9.17.2025. The hiking trails to the top and along the perimeter of the rock formations are very easy and they provide some dramatic views. Highly Recommend spending a few hours here during a visit to New Mexico. Make sure you have plenty of water.

Been here many, many times over the years. It's a bit out of the way,but one of my favorite places to visit. A beautiful NM gem with a rich history. There is no charge for this site. A nice visitor center houses a small museum and gift shop. A mo is of the history of the area can be wat he'd upon request. There is a short trail, about a mile, that takes you to a pond, many signatures carved into the rock, and that goes up and over the buff, where there are spectacular views. You overlook a box canyon on top. There are also pueblo ruins. A long steep staircase brings you back down. I do like to pack a picnic lunch, as there is nowhere you can count on for food and the gift shop doesn't sell food. There is a water refilling station. It's definitely worth the side trip.

We had a fabulous day here hiking and climbing. Easily accessible. Trails are easy to follow and the entire place is photo worthy.

Closed. Really stupid to have this closed when nobody's needed to be there for you to walk around and do the hikes and such. Their website doesn't even have everything described correctly, it doesn't say that it is closed just that the visitor center is closed. Others drove around this and found that there's a big gate that's closed that doesn't let you go any further.

Visited on 9.17.2025. I walk through the Lava Flow to the cave is amazing. The fun begins Once you get to the cave. About halfway down the steps you can feel the temperature dropping from hot to cold, and once you are in the cave area, it is freezing inside. The views of the Ice and ice flows along the cave walls are amazing. It's fascinating that birds actually live in the cave walls. Highly Recommend.

Beautiful hike through the lava field lots of marked stops with numbers to read about on the guide. This is a self guided tour. Good shoes recommended. Bring a bottle of water and if you are prone to getting hot save the ice cave for last its 31° F all year. The Cinder cone of the Volcano is a good first stop then follow the loop down to the ice cave.

I visited this spot per the recommendation of my Uber driver from the airport. I had never heard of an ice cave before so I was definitely intrigued. Arriving at this location, I was greeted by an older gentleman who gave me a quick overview of the location and some history. I was also greeted by a darling Aussie named Rosie. I first hiked to the caldera, and I will say I was pretty underwhelmed. I was surprised to learn that New Mexico's geography was deeply shaped by volcanic activity long ago, but once it became very apparent that this was the case looking at the rocks. Along the path, you can find three different types of lava rocks. I then took the short hike to the ice cave and THIS is what made this trip worth it. What a unique feature and an experience climbing down into the cave. You go from scorching 90 degrees heat to a sudden drop in temperature as you descend into the cave. I was surprised to even see icicles! What a cool geologic feature and something I would suggest others seeing if they come to the area. The trading post was quaint, featuring a small museum of old pottery from indigenous people and had a selection of a multitude of trinkets.

Beautiful scenery, accessible and easier hiking for great views. Geological phenomenon with ice cave. Overall took about 1-1.5 hours to explore gift shop and complete the hike to the volcano and scenic trail to ice cave. Ready to get to from Albuquerque NM

I LOVED this!! I see the signs on the interstate but always have a horse trailer. Today I was in a car, yay! Cool little spot, awesome that it's privately owned, self guided with an info pamphlet; little gift store, super nice people; very interesting little spot!

The volcano was very interesting. A short, easy hike on a loop that includes the ice cave. The ice cave (really part of a collapsed lava tube) was fascinating, but a little disappointing that we could only look inside from a viewing platform. Well with a stop.

This was a cool experience not too far off the highway. It was a great break to stretch our legs during our drive from Arizona to Texas. I believe they had activities for kids but we didn’t have kids with us so I can’t say for sure. Definitely worth the stop.

Neat place. Unfortunately they were closed from 12 to 1 for lunch so we didn’t get to go inside. Cool stuff out back and front.

Very knowledgeable staff. Friendly and helpful. Very interesting to go into the uranium mine replica. They had lots of informative interactive displays.

I have 3 Minecraft loving kids, so when we were traveling across the country and I saw a sign for a real mine, we had to stop! We were not disappointed! It was small, taking maybe 30 minutes to walk through, and my kids could not have cared less about the history exhibit upstairs, but we walked that mine down below twice because it was a "real life mine!"

We had a great visit at the museum. The ground level features native artifacts, some as old as 1000+ years, and various mineral samples. We took the elevator to the lower lever mining exhibit, and the stories told by miners themselves (recordings available at each station) were fascinating. You can really appreciate the complexity of technology and the sheer enormity of human labor during the early mining endeavors.

A very nice museum. We learned a lot about uranium mining in the area. The staff was extra nice. Highly recommended.

Although I didn't visit the museum, I am adding these pictures of a mural I found in Grants that honor the town's mining heritage.

This museum was very cool. Our kids absolutely loved the replica of the mine. I would rate it 5 stars but communication could have been a little better. There were a couple field trips when we arrived there. The woman at the front desk made it sound like the mine needed to be done as a guided tour. We waited around for 20 minutes until we learned we could go in on our own. The staff was nice and everything else was great.

Very quiet visit and many interesting displays. Clean rest stop and leg stretch area. Indian hund made items and many books and other gift ideas!

We stayed nearby on our travel day so popped over to the visitor center before they opened. Fifteen minutes early they opened the gate to go to work. We took pictures outside and went a little up their trails to take pictures of the amazing view and some volcanic rocks. We entered the center as they opened. Lots of information and a free map of the site. Early is better as the heat rises all day. We were very comfortable. We even got to see the park ranger raise the flag for the day.

nice visitor center... to see the park, you actually need to drive a ways... we were just passing through so just checked our the vc... plan for at least a couple hours if you actually want to see anything...

The visitor center was closed today due to the shutdown, so we went to the east entrance, with access to the trails and overlook, all very beautiful.

Visitors should stop here first, both to get a map but also to get advice from friendly and knowledgeable staff/volunteers. Interpretative area excellent. Provides suggestions for visiting the entire area. The movie is excellent - don't skip it. It will explain the geology in a straightforward way so that when you see the area, even just driving by, you know what you are looking at. Locals, kids and adults, should come here, for the film and local outdoor suggestions. There's no federal fee charged.

One of the best visitor centers ever. I am so glad we stopped here.

Watch the documentary, The Ark and the Darkness. Then visit this area.

El Malpais National Monument is an awe-inspiring destination that blends rugged volcanic landscapes with serene desert beauty. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the vastness and variety of the terrain—lava flows, sandstone bluffs, cinder cones, and the stunning La Ventana Arch all made for an unforgettable experience. We started our visit at the Sandstone Bluffs, which offered panoramic views that were absolutely breathtaking. The short hike to La Ventana Arch was easy and rewarding, and the arch itself is a natural wonder. We also explored the Lava Falls area, which felt like walking on another planet—challenging but totally worth it if you're up for a bit of scrambling. The visitor center (when open) is informative and welcoming, with friendly rangers who are passionate about the park’s geology and history. Even when it was temporarily closed, we found plenty of signage and online resources to guide us. This park is perfect for those who love geology, solitude, and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Just be sure to bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and a sense of wonder. We’re already planning a return trip to explore the lava tubes and hike more of the trails! A stunning landscape by land and from the air.

This monument was awesome. We are driving through NM and saw a sign for this place. We decided to take a quick pit stop and it was totally worth it. It only takes just a few minutes of great paved road to see true beauty. 10/10 worth it.

Great place to visit. Lava rocks. Bring water and a snack, as it's a remote location. There aren't too many trails, but a few excellent look-out points. Sunset and/or sunrise are highly recommended.

We visited El Malpais National Monument in July last year, and it ended up being one of the most unexpectedly rewarding stops of our trip. One of the biggest highlights for us was the campground, which turned out to be a hidden gem. It’s rustic and minimalistic in the best way, no frills, just pure, quiet solitude. We barely saw anyone else during our stay, and that seclusion made it feel like we had the entire place to ourselves. If you’re looking for a place to truly disconnect and get away from the crowds, this is it. Don’t skip the Sandstone Bluffs overlook or La Ventana Natural Arch, both are stunning. We explored a few short trails and scenic overlooks, and even in the summer heat, the dramatic landscape kept us captivated. If you’re into geology, photography, or just crave quiet places that still feel wild and untouched, El Malpais will absolutely deliver. This place is seriously underrated. We almost skipped it, and now it’s one of the spots we talk about the most from that trip.

Great place to do some fun scrambling, amazing views and great natural landmarks! Take plenty of water cause it gets hot!

A very beautiful drive up to the park. You start to see the lava flows for the volcano after you enter Pueblo Acoma prior to getting to the park. The Visitor Center is located at the top edge of the park with one small viewing trail. The other trails for the volcano are located 20-30 minutes away. You literally have to drive back up to Exit 89 to see the main part of the park. Not sure why they set it up like this. Also be aware some areas of the park requires you to have a 4x4 vehicle. Park is located approximately 60 minutes away from Albuquerque and 200 miles from Flagstaff. I-40 that carries you to the park parallels Route 66, so you’ll see some pretty cool stuff on the way up.

just WOW. Definitely worth a drive and hike if you have time to detour off I-40. Spectacular cliffs, and weirdly beautiful lava fields. There are a couple trailheads and picnic grounds worth stopping at!

Clean, covered picnic areas and vault restrooms. The arch is visible from the parking area. Path is .5 mile, relatively flat, and graveled. The arch is beautiful! Worth taking a scenic off the highway to see it. The visitors center has limited days it is open so check online 1st.

Beautiful natural arch that you need to see in many different lighting and weather conditions to properly appreciate. The parking is ample and the viewing trail is short and easy. Would have given 5 stars but the bathrooms are pretty nasty even for pit toilets as it doesn't seem like they are ever cleaned or maintained other than occasionally restocking the toilet paper. These being the only public restrooms between Quemado and the gas station at I-40, they get considerable use and are often pretty disgusting, especially since they are used by folks who don't understand pit toilets and don't do the proper procedures to keep the smell down (1. ALWAYS CLOSE THE LID 2. Keep the door closed.)

Easy gravel trail with occasional shade. No place to sit if you need that. Impressive arch and monumental rock formations. We took our dogs, please take bags and clean up after your pet, too many piles of dog poop along the path left by irresponsible pet owners.

Love the views here! I wish we could hike up under the arch, like we used to many years ago. But they have a guard rail, and they don't want foot traffic past it. But still it's a great little walk back to the arch from the parking area. Beautiful place!

2nd time visiting this amazing place. Great climb and we'll worth the effort.

Great quick stop! The walk was easy and the views are incredible.

This place is awesome, it’s just a short walk and you’re allowed to bring your dog. This is a truly remarkable place, a giant arch made from natural stone towers taller than some of the biggest trees. There is a large parking lot where you can rest from driving and a small hike to see the arch, make sure you make time to check it out!

I was traveling along I40 and needed a room for one night. The check in was very quick. The room was very clean and quiet. The hotel is right off the freeway with easy access. I had dinner in the café. It was very good with large portions and very reasonably priced. I will stay there again when traveling in the area.

Casino and restaurant staff were Awesome! Hotel staff were Soooo Rude… we walked into the room, bathtub was gross, refrigerator was on the floor the coffee pot in the bathroom which is nasty. We asked for another room because the bath tub was gross… the hotel employee tells us “ It’s just Rust it’s clean” which is unreal, she said we are booked so you can’t switch rooms, we ended up putting a towel in the tub to shower… I’d recommend the casino and the restaurant 100% but NO to the hotel.

The newly remodeled room gave a false sense of hope for a great stay. The restaurant was a service nightmare. We stood at the check-in podium for 5 minutes with numerous employees making eye contact, but not once "hey we'll be right with you" or "thanks for waiting". The host arrives and tells us to have a seat because they don't have any clean silverware. The call is over a few minutes later and seat is at a table...no menus, no silverware, no nothing. A larger party is seated next to us a few minutes later. They have menus and silverware. A server goes to their table and gets their drink order. She leaves without a word or glance towards us. We wait several more minutes and I finally catch the eye of a different employee who is very apologetic and he gets our drinks. He also alerted the server from the other table and she came to get our order. We waited over 30 minutes for the food, which was not bad (the food). There was no check back, I had to flag the server down for a refill on a soda, and literally walked over to the service galley to get a take out box. Finally done we head over to the concert area and enjoy a great show (Hair Ball was fantastic) after which we head back to the room. Worst sleep ever! The pillows are just folded sheets placed inside pillow cases and the mattress was like sleeping on rocks. I seriously considered going to Walmart in Grants to buy a pillow. This was not an inexpensive room and I really would have expected better overall. I do want to say that all of the staff members were kind and helpful. Maybe this was just bad luck, but PLEASE PLEASE bring your own pillow.

Stayed here with my father recently and was not the best. Checked in process - Front desk person was not welcoming at the time of check in. Had stayed here in the past and expected the same level of service but lacking. Had requested for a third floor room with two beds as in the past there were always some available. The front desk clerk informed us all 3rd floor rooms have only one bed so options were 1st or 2nd floor. She provided us our keys and did not tell us where our room was located or any hotel amenities. We had to hunt for our room only to find it clear across the hotel, mind you I am using a cane as well. Room Review - Our room had no carpet that made the room echo with every step only having linoleum floors. Bed mattress was comfortable however the frame itself moved all night long, as it felt like it was missing a bolt. Every time you moved on it, it would hit the floor or felt like it was going to fall apart. The pillows were small and firm, better off stuffing a t shirt with clothes and sleeping with that. There was no phone, and thinking from a safety standpoint, if there was an emergency who do you contact? The room was limited with only one trash can in the bathroom. No shelves in the shower along with no vent making the whole room humid when you shower. Corner lamp light was out. Limited outlets available throughout the room for technology or charging items. No bottle water available, however there is a snack vending machine about 100 yards down the hall, The noise from the hall was excessive, all night you will hear doors opening and closing. People talking excessively loud, making it hard to sleep. Window view. The pool also looks like it need maintenance as it looks green in comparison to the hot tub. The walkway I would not walk underneath as that is a safety issue as well. Overall - If you had a choice to stay here or drive the extra distance to either Albuquerque or Grants to get a good nights sleep, make the drive. The rate is excessive for what your get here. Customer service is lacking and unwelcoming. If you are a senior or have mobility issues this is not the hotel to stay at.

I love this place. 49.00 per night accommodations for pro trck drivers. Good food clean rooms and a really friendly staff. I stop every chance I get, and I tell other guys about it. Always a good experience. If you are a driver, I highly recommend this place!

1st time there for an Amphitheater event. Reserved a suite. After reading reviews I was a little sketchy and even took some over sheets and pillows. I was absolutely amazed when walking in! It is beautifully set up and so pleasantly designed! A circular coffee bar right at your fingertips! The front desk manager was friendly and welcoming, however, the check-in staff member could've used a bit more personality. Everyone else we encountered were amazing! Now, to the room... absolutely amazing! 3rd floor suite.. very clean and inviting... 3 great sized rooms with a balcony that overlooked the event center.. unbelievable shower, full size fridge, comfortable bed and a sink in the "kitchen" with an eat-at bar.. I would seriously like to see this as a rentable apartment option! Casino was a perfect size with a lounge and restaurant with buffet and single order options. Food was so-so, but very affordable and the service was friendly. The slots were "tiiiggggt".. lastly, the courtyard was phenomenal with so many accommodating options.. for loungers, swimmers and hottubbers, and smokers.. overall, best accommodations I've experienced in a long time.. Will be back!!! OH!!! Price.... unbelievably affordable! Would post pics if I had the option!

First and foremost, I didn’t stay here so I can’t rate rooms or anything like that. My Co-driver had an experience that leads me2 believe that these slots are pretty tight. 😂 I’m the FatMan always there 4 the food 🥘 I had a good experience in the restaurant & the service was good also. I’d do it again next time I’m in this neck of the woods. So check em out if you’re ever in the neighborhood and Holla at a Playa. 👌🏾

The cultural center and museum have a small sample and history of the Acoma pueblo. The primary reason to visit is it is the place to get tickets and visit the Pueblo itself. The Pueblo is very interesting, being one of, if not the oldest continually inhabited cities in North America. Some notes here are worthwhile. Bring water. It is not available for purchase on site, so buy or bring some from where you are coming from. The website does not indicate this, but the tour is one and a half hours, and the Pueblo is on a high,dry, hot mesa. Also, signs and the website indicate pictures are not allowed, nor are cell phones. Our guide told us still photos are allowed, just not in the church and other religious locations, and cell phones are permitted, so if you want to send a selfie, you can. During the tour, local artisans have various items on sale. You can buy them, and they are open to discussion on price. To leave the Pueblo, you can take the bus, or use the "stairs". These are not normal stairs, but are carved into the side of the mountain to get down. There are railings and handholds, but the elevation is close to 8000 feet and the descent is about 350 feet. I recommend the stairs if you are reasonably fit and have good balance, otherwise, take the bus back down. One other recommendation. Bring and wear sunscreen. Much of the tour is outside with little relief from sun exposure.

Amazing! Our tour guide Jeremy was such a nice, genuine person. His knowledge as an Acoma tribal member was deep. Sky City is a place that has been inhabited since 1100 AD (at least) so there's lot to learn, understand and just absorb. Native tip: last tour is 3:30pm. That's when we went and we got a personal tour, just me, my girl and our tour guide. (he let us blow out the candles on the altar at St Esteban since we were the last tour!) Also show your tribal ID for a discount (Thank you!!!).

The cultural center is where one is able to watch a short video about the history of the Acoma and how they came to live on the mesa, as well as purchase tour tickets. Then a van drives visitors a short distance up the steep road to the top of the mesa. Once there, the tour guide (our wonderful guide was Gail. Amazingly knowledgeable) explains the physical features of the homes (old and newer), how the few who live there live day to day without electricity and running water, the church, the culture and it's vibrancy still today, feast days, and where and how the Acoma are actually living today. Super interesting and enjoyable.

Acoma is a very special place to visit. It's a treasure that everyone should take the time to tour. The people are warm, welcoming, and love to share their art and history. As an American citizen, we take so much for granted. Acoma helps us to realize just how fortunate we really are and have been.

Nice getaway. It's educational. Lots of history. Great tour guides. Relaxing. Tour is about 1 hour in length.

We arrived at 10am as we saw in the website that tours are at 10:30, apparently at this day there was a tour at 9:30 for vip group so the next tour was at 11:30 so we had to wait 1.5 hours. The tour itself was very interesting. We enjoyed it. The only thing that bother me was that they are trying to sell their products every where in the tour.

What a hidden gem! Magnificent landscape, beautiful people, rich history. Our tour guide, "Gubi," is among the few people who still live on top of the mesa. We learned so much from him about the Acoma dating back to 1140 AD, with stories of his own family's history. Highly recommend!

When we arrived they were doing construction on their hotel area and we had to enter over by the pool area, it was a little confusing and that exterior door was locked, so a gentleman that worked there helped open it for us. When we booked the reservation the desk Clark stated for us to enter through that door; however, it was locked and you could not. The rooms are basic, nothing special, but the beds were extremely comfortable and they did have a nice large refrigerator for your personal use and a Keurig machine which is always a plus. The room in bathroom was clean and very comfortable. The staff was extremely helpful. We played a few slots and they are some of the tightest slots we have ever played. It's a nice stopping point during your travels, but I definitely would not stop there to play in the casino because of how tight everything was and you rarely got into any of the bonuses. We did have dinner and watch a ballgame with a few drinks in their sports bar that was very good.

This was an unexpected stay but impressive stay. The room for handicap accessible was not just accessible but useable as well!!! Kudos!!! Well designed for the ability to move around and function. Even the bed was the perfect height. We had a great night's rest after a fun evening in the casino plus a visit to the Stadium 66 for dinner. Stadium 66 perfect place for watching a game and picking up a bit to eat. Service was amazing! Thank you for a memorable stop!

Ok I usually like to play in this establishment. This time however was the worst experience I have had at a hotel. First of all I am an amputee and I have a hard time getting around with my prosthetic. I was told that if I needed help they would assist that was never offered. They are currently doing construction and THERE IS NO HANDICAP PAKING had to park 6 rows back on the far side of the casino and walked forever and had 2 rest twice.i had problems with the lamp and the shower was leaking I made a request with maintenance I called at 8 am nobody comes by until after 3 calls he gets there at 6pm and says he can’t fix either. He says someone will changes room after 3 hours of waiting for that call they say all supervisors are gone for the day we are now on day 3 I asked to speak to the supervisor at 8 in the morning because I was woken up at 6:30 by construction vehicles beeping constantly. I make 6 total trips to the front desk and waited till 4:20 still no manager she leaves at 2:30 so I finally sit and wait at the front desk I wait for 15 min for a supervisor and she sends the maintenance guy I asked why nobody called to change my room 2 days ago he said he didn’t know I WAS IGNORED the whole time. No help getting help to getting my things to the car. The only good thing I had the most amazing housekeeping staff who on the last day fixed the lamp. Do not stay here if you can avoid it. I spent over 2000 dollars there and could not even get anyone who would even acknowledge me. Stay at Sandi’s or isletta where they take care of you and want your business Also the rooms are outdated and no microwaves in the rooms and you have to request your room to be cleaned they don’t do it automatically

If this casino spent as much concern with the inside of this hotel, as they do the outside, it would be a decent place to stay. Hair on the floor hair in the sink, dirt in the sink, old a c heating unit that kept only one side of the room to the right temperature. Thin enough walls that you could hear clothes being hung up next door and a water bottle that had already been opened. The pillows were nice and the refrigerator was large. But with the lack of cleanliness, it was kind of concerning to sleep in the bed at all. The food on site is very good, which is good because it's too far out from doing anything.

DO NOT STAY HERE OR EAT HERE! 3 food places had the worst food! Old food, been out ALL day, and dried out! Bathroom sink didn't drain. No towel racks in bathroom. ALL elevators were down and they allowed the fire escape OUTSIDE door to be left open (unattended) ALL night! Take my word for it! They don't care about their customers but they don't have to because they are sovereign law so they can do what they want!!

I've been to a concert at Legends Theater but I decided to bring my wife here for her birthday and she loved it. We also tried the buffet which was on crab leg night and it was worth the price. I can't wait to come back for more fun

Great stop for traveling thru. If you get a players card and play some slots, they will send you some awesome perks. I got 2 free nights, 30 for food and 30 for gas. I left better than I went in on this trip. Love it!!

Rocky hike with decent elevation for the area. Medium difficulty. The west trail is definitely the easier hike.

Easy to get to. Nice hike. Took me and my 4 year old son 20 min to get to the top. Pretty steep and rugged in a few spots. Took pictures of about 50 petroglyphs on the East slope of the hill. They look a lot like the petroglyphs in ABQ. Nice view

This hill is a beautiful, rustic, historic and religious place. The top of the hill has sweeping views of the Rio Grande Valley to the west and the Manzano Mountains to the east. It is an inspiring experience to pray and sing at 3 crosses at the top of the hill. There is no admission or parking fee. The trail is rocky and steep in places. There is no bathroom on site. The Dollar Tree store on NM State Highway 47 which 1.4 miles to west of Tome Hill, has a customer restroom and sells bottles of water.

Hill used for religious pilmigrages. The hill has three crosses as in the calvary. There are great views from the top of the hill. The climb up from the parking area takes about 30 minutes for someone with bad knees.

Interesting sculpture. Not a lot of anything else to see here unless you hike to the top of the hill, which I did not do.

It's actually private property, but the public is allowed to visit. There was a lake once but now there's no sign of it.

History site worth visiting

Very interesting history with lots of exhibits. Walking through the dining, kitchen and public areas made it a realistic experience. Seeing the upstairs dorms of the employees with lots of original photos helped me to visualize how my grandparents would have worked and lived. The volunteers who run things were very informative.

A sweet little bit of history being preserved by dedicated volunteers. Our docent was so knowledgeable and friendly and answered all of our questions. We got to the museum about half an hour before closing but they didn't rush us at all, which I appreciated. They have a good gift shop as well. I was sorry we weren't there at a time the cafe is open - the food looked good!

We enjoyed our stay and the amazing tour. This is certainly a must-stop when visiting Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Our small group learnt a lot about the Fred Harvey history and the strict prinicples of this business. Our tour guide (sorry, I don't remember her name) was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She did a great job, thanks!

5 STAR Review! Everyone was just LOVELY! My son wants to be a WWII Historian & just absolutely had a FABULISTIC time. The Museum captured such a neat essence in time. Everyone had something to share that made our visit so memorable. My Mom, that's 81 young, really enjoyed herself as well. The food was so delicious & fresh. My son has autism, so his palette is picky & he loved every bit of the bacon & caramelized onion quiche & EVERYTHING on his plate. The gift store was amazing with so many neat things to gauk at. We bought aprons, mints, soaps & cards. My son also received some amazing books. Thank you to everyone that served & informed us. Dory & Wade Dyer

What a awesome place, the museum itself is very cool and informative, $5 for a tour by some lovely ladies. And they have a cafe!!! Got some awesome deserts and sat in there cute area. 10/10 would recommend!

I loved learning about the history of the Harvey house. Its beautiful decorated old fashioned from the times it was once being used as a restaurant with Harvery women and workers by the railroad. Now during the holidays its beautifully decorated with Christmas trees and lights like no other place on New Mexico. It's fun for adults and children to see!

I stopped in to the Harvey House Museum on Saturday just before the opening time. Francis came out to where I was sitting and asked me if I would like to come into the museum, "yes of course." The roof access to stand under the 'livecam' was cool but what surprised me was the quality and care that goes into this local museum. I was treated like a VIP from arrival to departure. Great experience.