 Summary: With a huge rock pointing to the waterhole you see on the right, El Morro, or Inscription Rock, was a popular stopping spot for Spanish, and American travelers making their way west. Before that,
Ancestral Puebloan lived at the top of the ruins.
The pond is natural run-off filled by rain water funneled down to it by the sloped cliffs above.
The trail has short and long sections.
The shorter
Inscription Trail is paved, 1/2 mile in length, and wheelchair accessible with assistance.It takes you by the pool and beside many of the inscriptions that are dated back to the late 1500s.
If you're more ambitious you can try the Mesa Top Trail. Including the Inscription Trail it's a 2 mile hike with a 250' gain in altitude. If you have the time it takes you to the top of the rock, around a box canyon, alongside Pueblo ruins, and affords some incredible views of the area.
There's a nice visitors center happy to take your money. As everywhere I traveled, I found the rangers fully knowledgeable and extremely happy to tell me the local story for the 10 millionth time.
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| Features: Trails, Native American Ruins, camping, and a nice visitors center with displays on the history and natural wildlife of the area.
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 Activities:
Birdwatching, hiking, camping, picnicking, photography.
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Area Attractions:
E l Malpais National Monument, Bandera Volcano and Ice Caves, Cibola National Forest,
Candy Kitchen Wolf Rescue, Ramah Lake, Ramah Museum, Los Gigantes, The Village of Zuni.
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Food & Sundries:
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 Directions:
56 miles southeast of Gallup, NM via Highways 602 and 53; 42 miles southwest of Grants, NM via Highway 53.
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Local Towns:
Gallup, Grants
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Local Accommodations:
Gallup, Grants
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 Camping & RV:
There's a camping area in the park.
Open All Year
Details
A nine site primitive campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. A fee is charged from roughly May through October, when water is available. After the first freeze, water is shut off and camping is free. Fires are permitted in provided grills. One site, #8, is handicapped accessible.
I stayed behind the Tinaja Restaurant. There were full hook-ups and a restaurant at the gate, both at a great price.
Very friendly service and the restaurant is open late.
Tinaja Restaurant,
Highway 53,
Ramah, NM 87321,
(505) 783-4349.
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Notes:
Open All Year
September 6 through October 30, 2005- 9:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
October 31, 2005 through March 30, 2006- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
March 31 through May 25, 2006- 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Phone
505-783-4226
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