Salmon Ruins, NM
6131 US-64 E.
Bloomfield, NM 97413
(505) 632-2013
Salmon Ruins is an 11th century pueblo ruin related to the Chaco Culture group, which originated in Chaco Canyon. Covering an area of over two acres, the pueblo had two distinct cultural occupations: the first from the Chaco Culture group, the second called the San Juan Occupation.In addition to the puebloan ruins is Salmon Ruins Museum, Heritage Park, and Pioneer Homestead. The Salmon Ruins Museum offers a variety of exhibits featuring the best of artifacts from our excavation collections. Historic materials on display range from unique cultural textile samples to rock art, mining, and more. The Heritage Park offers architectural replicas of Tipis and Hogans, a Wikiup and Pithouse, and a Trading Post and Sweatlodge for your enjoyment. The Pioneer Homestead was built by George Salmon in the early 1890s. Here you can see the original Salmon Family home, dugout, bunk house, carriage house, and well.
Salmon Ruins Museum offers full-day tours ("Journey into the Past") with a professional archaeologist to nearby locations that may be difficult or confusing for visitors to get to on their own. Tours are available Monday-Friday, year-round, and must be scheduled at least a month in advance. Each tour begins at 8 am and ends by 5 pm on the same day. Tours include lunch, water, and the opportunity to ask all of the questions you have always wanted to ask an archaeologist, but never had the opportunity. All locations are only accessible weather-permitting, and summer conditions in the Southwest region are regularly dangerous. Despite these considerations, most dates are able to successfully take place as scheduled. If you are bringing your own transportation, the vehicles must be high-clearance and should have 4WD capability, as well as room for your guide to “step on” and space for supplies.
Travel tip: Ask about the special "pueblito" tours to Largo Canyon or other tour options.
Additional Information
Photos by EMKotyk