Parks / El Morro National Monument
El Morro National Monument
National Monument · NM
Imagine the refreshment of finding water after days of dusty travel. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite for hundreds of years. Here, ancestral Puebloans, Spanish, and American travelers carved over 2,000 signatures, dates, messages, and petroglyphs. Make El Morro National Monument a stopping point on your travels.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (1)
Trail Closure
A portion of the Headland Trail is closed due to ongoing restoration work. Access to the trail will now close at 2:30 pm daily. All hikers must be off the trails by 4:45 pm.
Entrance Fees
This park is fee-free.
Campgrounds (1)
El Morro Campground
El Morro operates a nine-site campground 7 days/week, year-round. First come-first served. Each site has a graveled tent pad, picnic table and ground grill for fires. During the warmer months, water is available at spigots that are centrally located along the campground loop road. Once the overnight low's begin to reach freezing temperatures, water is turned off for the season. There are no hookups for RVs. The length limit on all motor homes is 27 feet overall. One site, #5, is handicapped accessible.
Details →Upcoming Events
Camel Corps Commemoration
Sep 12, 2026 · El Morro Visitor Center, Highway 53
Things to Do
El Morro Campground
El Morro National Monument operates a free, nine-site campground with two vault toilets year-round. Sites are available by self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.
El Morro Junior Ranger Program
Are you interested in becoming a Junior Ranger? Ask a ranger at the front desk for an El Morro Junior Ranger book. Complete the activities during your visit and return it to receive your badge.
El Morro Visitor Center
For visitors who are unable to hike or would like to learn more about El Morro, the El Morro Visitor Center is a great stop. Learn more about the history of El Morro in the museum, by watching the park film, or chatting with a ranger.
Hike the Inscription Rock Trail
This 0.75 mile (1.2 km) trail takes you to the pool and past hundreds of Spanish and American inscriptions, and prehistorical petroglyphs. The trail is paved and the main 1/2 mile loop is wheelchair-accessible with assistance. This is a great option if you have an hour or less to spend at the park. It must be started no later than 4:00 pm.
Hiking the Headland Trail
This 2-mile trail includes the Inscription Loop and takes you to the top of the El Morro bluff. It is a moderately strenuous trail with a gain of 224 ft of elevation. Much of the upper section of the trail is on uneven sandstone so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Visitor Centers
- El Morro Visitor Center
Webcams
Source: National Park Service.