The El Morro National Monument and the Cibola County Cultural Center are a must-see when visiting the southwest. Both monuments are located along an ancient east-west trail. The two sites preserve the remains of ancient cultures. While El Malpais is known for its vibrant and thriving art scene, the Morro is home to a variety of Native American culture ruins.
This National Monument contains diverse volcanology and lava flows, as well as other features. The area is also a popular spot for hiking and sightseeing, and has several trails for hiking. The Dittert Site was home to the Acoma, Laguna, Zuni, and Ramah Navajo people for thousands of years. The Mesa Top Trail is about two miles long and offers spectacular views. The hike also includes a view of Atsinna, an ancient pueblo that was occupied from 1275 to 1350 A.D. It contains a variety of traces of life, including petroglyphs and writing on rocks.
The El Morro Monument is situated in the western portion of the state. The monument is home to over 2,000 pre-Columbian petroglyphs, which are recorded by settlers, and acoustics from early humans. These petroglyphs are well preserved, and each one tells a unique story. Throughout the history of the area, people have left their marks. Zuni Indians and Spanish explorers left their marks here.
The El Morro Canyon is home to a significant archaeological site. The El Malpais Navajo Puebloan culture was preserved here. The seasonal pools were used to cool the occupants of the area. The museum features exhibits that tell the story of this important site. This archaeological site is considered an excellent place to view the ruins of an ancient Pueblo.
The monuments have an enviable history. The lava field on the south of the monument was a candidate for a Trinity nuclear test, which was conducted to the north at the White Sands Proving Ground. After the war, the Department of Defense used the mesa as a bombing range, and the land was administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The President of the United States also established the El Malpais and the nearby El Morro National Monuments.
The mesas in El Malpais National Monument are made up of the lava fields on the southern side of the monument, while the lava fields on the eastern side are formed in the south. The eastern side of the park has a waterhole and an area for camping. This region is the best place to explore the lava fields in the west. While the two national monuments are very different, they are worth visiting.