New Mexico · Hiking

Mission Ruins Interpretive Trail

0.6 mi
round trip
10 ft
climb
6,048 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Mission Ruins Interpretive Trail open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

As of · Source: NPS · Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Mission Ruins Interpretive Trail is a short, easy hike in Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in New Mexico, managed by the National Park Service. The trail is about 0.6 miles long and is an out-and-back route, with a total round-trip distance of about 1.2 miles. The climb is minimal, with a high point of about 6,048 feet and a low of about 6,027 feet, so the elevation gain is only about 10 feet one way. There is no fee to visit. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Mountainair weather station show May highs around 77°F and October highs around 69°F, while July and August bring highs near 87°F and more wet days. Nearby options include Priest Canyon Road, about 3.5 miles away, and Three Springs Trail, about 5.2 miles away. Smoke Trail and Smoke Rise Trail are both within about 8 miles.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Mission Ruins Interpretive Trail

    Best months: March–May and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      47° / 23°

      3 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      52° / 26°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      60° / 31°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      68° / 36°

      2 wet

    5. May

      77° / 44°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 54°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 59°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 58°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 51°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 41°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 29°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      46° / 22°

      3 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mountainair, NM, 8.1 mi away at 6,520 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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