El morro national monument Ranger Camel
A sleeping camel wears a ranger's flat hat Public domain photograph of educational activity, National Park rangers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
El morro national monument Funny Face
A camel gives us a funny look as it waits patiently for hay!
Sarah "Sallie" Fox - National Parks Gallery
Sallie Fox was just 12 years old when she passed by El Morro in 1858 with the Rose-Baley wagon train. She was wounded in the attack on the Colorado River.
El morro national monument Pocket Gopher
A pocket Gopher peaks out of it's hole
El morro national monument Who me?
Spadefoots dig underground burrows with their hind feet, which are equipped with sharp-edged spades.
Snow in the forcast - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
A view of El Morro from the Headland Trail in winter
Over the rainbow - National Parks Gallery
A rainbow appears over El Morro from a passing summer storm.
El morro national monument Show off
A rare sight at El Morro, a brightly colored horned lizard searches for ants.
El morro national monument Bear witness
While not commonly seen in El Morro National Monument, black bears are definitely present in the area. Please take the proper precautions.
George Grant's El Morro - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
An image of El Morro by George Grant, the National Park Sevice's first photographer, in 1934.
El morro national monument Cultural flowers
This member of the aster family lacks ray flowers and is also known as cota tea.
El morro national monument Seldom seen
It is more common to see the tunnel of the shy pocket gopher than to spot a pocket gopher itself.
El morro national monument Winter's search
White-breasted Nuthatches are common, year-round residents at El Morro.
The "dog on the rock" - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Some people can make out the image of a dog's profile formed by the dark desert varnish on the face of El Morro.
National parks: Pretty - public domain image
A butterfly in the sand Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The "point" in winter - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
The "point" of El Morro's cuesta is the most dense section of inscriptions.
Reminders of the past - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
In the winter of 1933 and 1934 The Civilian Works Administration etched a trail over the cuesta top.
Juan Alvarez Eulate - National Parks Gallery
Governor Eulate is believed to have left the longest inscription on El Morro.
Getting its bearings - National Parks Gallery
A few minutes after flying into the visitor center window, this MacGillivray's Warbler shook it off and flew away.
Hand-carved steps - National Parks Gallery
The Civil Works Administration (CWA) built the trail to the top and across the top of the mesa in the 1930s. These hand-carved steps are typical of the detailed work the CWA performed during the New Deal Era.
High above the pool - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Cliff Swallows build nests with dirt and water they find at the pool.
Sandstone carvings, El Morro National Monument, 2016.
On El Morro's sandstone you'll find symbols cared by ancient peoples, some as old as 1,000 years.
El morro national monument Junior Archeologists
Junior Rangers excavate in the sandbox. Public domain photograph of National Park Junior Rangers, children, activity, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
El morro national monument Buffalo Dance
Ancestral Lands Day 2018 included dances.
El Morro national monument New Mexico park
Image title: El Morro national monument New Mexico park Image from Public domain images website, nature-landscapes-public-domain-images-pictures/national-parks-reserves-public-domain-images-pictures/el-morro... More
El morro national monument Winter view
El Morro National Monument averages 42 inches of snow a year and may get snow from October to May.
Headland Trail Switchbacks - National Parks Gallery
A switchback trail descends the side of the cuesta about 200 ft. Many visitors prefer to walk down the switchbacks.
The bluff at El Morro - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
El Morro, or "the bluff," is seen here with a dusting of snow on the ground.
I see you - National Parks Gallery
Bobcats will often leave their young in a tree while they are away hunting.
El morro national monument Winter Sunshine
Light melts snow on a winter day
El morro national monument Break TIme!
Presenter Doug Baum takes a break to read
El morro national monument Winter meal
The desert cottontail rabbit gets most of its water from the food that it eats.
Sandstone carvings, El Morro National Monument, 2016.
On El Morro's sandstone you'll find symbols cared by ancient peoples, some as old as 1,000 years.
Tourist Attraction - Out of place
A praying mantis sits on the counter in the Visitors Center.
National parks: RW4 - public domain image
RW-4 Public domain photograph of ruins, National Park, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Minty! - public domain image
Horse mint is common is disturbed areas.
National parks: Exotic? - public domain image
The stork's-bill is an invasive species brought in 300 years ago from Spain.
National parks: RW2 - public domain image
RW-2 Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Making an entrance - National Parks Gallery
The first entrance to El Morro National Monument was much farther to the west than it is today.
National parks: Sunset - public domain image
The sun sets over a ceremonial room in Atsinna Pueblo, viewed from the Headland Trail, on a winter day.
Sunset over Atsinna's rooms - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
A sunset view over Atsinna pueblo Public domain photograph - American ruins, National Parks, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
View of the "Point" of El Morro
The point of the rock at El Morro seen from the trail
Tourist Attraction - North side of rock
Inscription Rock looms above the trail. Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
El morro national monument "Good Camel!"
A Junior Ranger pets a camel during El Morro's "U.S. Camel Corps Commemoration"
Caterpillar, El Morro National Monument, 2015.
Scientists have discovered that some caterpillars can whistle! How? You see, insects breathe through spiracles (i.e., the holes in their sides that you see in this photo). After some experimentation, it has bee... More
Sandstone carvings, El Morro National Monument, 2016.
On El Morro's sandstone you'll find symbols cared by ancient peoples, some as old as 1,000 years.
El morro national monument Deer Dance
The Deer Dance is performed at Ancestral Lands Day 2018.
El morro national monument Native Dances
A Native Dance at Ancestral Lands Day 2018
National parks: trail2 - public domain image
trail-2 Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: trail5 - public domain image
trail-5 Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Make your Own Pictograph - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Kids try their hand at painting a pictograph at the Ancient Way Fall Festival.
Isaac Holland - National Parks Gallery
Isaac T. Holland was a member of the Rose-Baley wagon train that passed by El Morro in July 1858.
T.H. O'Sullivan - National Parks Gallery
T. H. O'Sullivan, known today for his pictures of the aftermath of the Civil War, accompanied part of the Wheeler Survey expedition to the area in 1873.
Rainbow from Atsinna - National Parks Gallery
A rainbow appears over El Morro as viewed from the Atsinna Pueblo.
El morro national monument Keep away
Early park workers planted yucca near the sandstone cliff to keep people away.
El morro national monument Winter Wonderland
A winter view of the Inscription loop Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
El morro national monument Big fauna
The elk is the largest animal to graze at El Morro. Unfortunately, elk sightings most frequently occur along area roads at night.
El morro national monument Woodpecker Rock
Hikers who continue on the trail past the inscriptions will see that this sandstone slab is aptly named.
El morro national monument Feeding time
This Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon race) is gleaning insects from the visitor center wall.
The rock at sunrise - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
View of El Morro at sunrise
National parks: Showy - public domain image
The pagoda mint has beautiful flowers. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
El morro national monument Watch out
The prairie rattlesnakes in this area tend to have a green color to them.
Tinaja filled with rain, El Morro National Monument, 2016.
With spring rains, the monument's tinajas (i.e., depressions in the sandstone) are filled to their brims with rain water. This water is vital to the local ecosystem, as it would've otherwise soaked directly int... More
Don Martin de Elizacochea - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Spanish inscription translated as, "The 28th day of September of 1737, the illustrious lord Don Martin de Elizacochea, Bishop of Durango, arrived here, and the day following, went on to Zuni."
Pack a Camel activity - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Ranger John helps a Jr. Ranger "Pack A Camel" during an event
El morro national monument Shady spot
The fence lizard is one of the most common reptiles seen in the park.
Pedro Romero - National Parks Gallery
"By here passed Pedro Romero on the 2nd of August, year of 1751."
El morro national monument Scrambled eggs?
Yellow corydalis is also known as scrambled eggs because of the appearance of it's flowers.
Snow in the Pueblo - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Snow covers the rectangular ceremonial meeting room seen on the Headland Trail.
What we found - National Parks Gallery
Dr. Richard Woodbury, leader of the 1954-55 excavations of Atsinna pueblo, kneels with pottery sherds found.
Tourist Attraction - The hidden surprise
A view of the box canyon from the Headland Trail. Many visitors do not realize this beautiful box canyon exists until they make the climb to the top of the cuesta.
El morro national monument Dakota Sandstone
Hike to the top of the mesa to see how colorful El Morro's different types of sandstone are.
El morro national monument Say what?
Say's Phoebes nest each summer in the eaves of the visitor center.
Color in the desert - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Hedgehog cactus Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
El morro national monument Hidden figure
Bobcats are not commonly seen but are definitely in the area. Make sure to keep your pets on a leash.
El morro national monument The pool
A view of the pool at El Morro's base, one just after the area was graded by the CWA removing a deep arroyo, and the other from 2016.
El morro national monument Flute Playing
Fernando Cellicion playing traditional flute Public domain photograph - performance, musical, dance, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: SW2 - public domain image
SW-2 Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
El morro national monument Tasty treat
A butterfly eats from a flower with its proboscis, or mouth, which basically works like a straw.
Lorenzo Sitgreaves - National Parks Gallery
Sitgreaves led an expedition past El Morro in 1851.
El morro national monument Blue bugle
The petals of the blue gilia flower have fused to make a long corolla.
The Camels are Coming! - Public domain historical image
Presenter Doug Baum Talks Camels and the "Camel Corps"
The Brooklyn Bridge - National Parks Gallery
Before 1933, a 30-foot-deep arroyo ran from the pool. The park custodian constructed a bridge across it.
El morro national monument Noisy neighbor
Some summers, the sounds of cicadas are nearly deafening during your walk at El Morro.
Camel Parking Only - National Parks Gallery
Camels stand in front of the El Morro National Monument Visitor Center
Grasshopper, El Morro National Monument, 2015.
Picryl description: Public domain image of wildlife, wild animals, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
El morro national monument Summer beauty
Summer monsoon rains in 2016 brought a large sunflower bloom to El Morro National Monument.
And over here you'll see... - Public domain historical image
Presenter Doug Baum gives a talk about camels and the "Camel Corps"
El morro national monument Bleached zone
The white bleached zone on top of the cuesta is a section of the Zuni sandstone formation that has been weathered by ground water to a very white color.
El morro national monument Cold water
Snow melt helps to fill the pool in winter, but the pool is still the deepest in summer from monsoon rains.
Tourist Attraction - Snow down below
A winter view into the box canyon as seen from the Headland Trail.
National parks: Digesting... - public domain image
A gopher snake moves across a wall and rests as it digests its meal of baby bird.
National parks: Cultivated? - public domain image
Pale wolfberry plants occur so frequently around Ancestral Puebloan sites that archeologists believe they may have been cultivated.
El morro national monument Getting deep
A foot of snow is not uncommon at times
National parks: trail9 - public domain image
trail-9 Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Does it sting? - National Parks Gallery
The scorpion flower seems to come by its name honestly.
"Point" in winter - National Parks Gallery
A view from the return trail of the Inscription loop Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Atsinna Pueblo from the sky - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Changes in vegetation reveal the extent of the pueblo that existed at El Morro more that 700 years ago.
Etching inside Atsinna Pueblo - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
an etching found inside Atsinna Pueblo
The top of the bluff - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
View of the Headland Trail at dusk. Public domain photograph of Canyon, mountains, national park, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description