McKinley County: Archaeology, Art and Red Rocks

Fort Wingate encompasses more than 400 sites that can be traced to Navajo and Zuni traditions. Along with the archaeological sites at Chaco, the museums of Gallup and the cultural offerings in Zuni, McKinley County showcases a range of historical and landscape highlights.

Archaeology and Trails in Chaco

Chaco Culture National Historical Park encompasses more than 4,000 cultural sites associated with the settlement and use of the canyon by Paleo-Indian groups, Ancestral Puebloans, Navajo and Euro-Americans. Fort Wingate is also listed as an archaeological site connected to Anasazi sites within the Chacoan Interaction Sphere. The county therefore brings together different connections to the history and use of the landscape.

A 9-mile loop road in Chaco provides access to five major Chacoan sites, including Pueblo Bonito. The D-shaped building was four to five stories tall, covered 3 acres and contained more than 600 rooms, 40 kivas and two plazas. Casa Rinconada is the largest excavated Great Kiva. Several small house sites lie along the loop trail there; the trail is 1 mile (1.6 km) long. These figures show two different scales for exploring the area: a loop road to five sites and a shorter loop trail at Casa Rinconada.

Other trails lead to Una Vida, along the petroglyph trail between Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl, or on the Peñasco Blanco Trail. Along the way, you can see some of the ancient depictions. Plan your drive to Chaco Canyon with road conditions in mind: access is only via unpaved roads, which can be rough or impassable. Check their condition before you set out.

Gallup: Red Rock Landscapes, Museums and Events

East of Gallup lies the 640-acre Red Rock Park. Its red sandstone cliffs formed more than 200 million years ago. The park's outdoor arena hosts the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, rodeos and the Red Rock Balloon Rally. The Ceremonial takes place annually in August in McKinley County; Gallup was scheduled to host it in 2026. Check event dates if you are planning your trip around them.

The museums also offer a range of perspectives. The Red Rock Museum explores the lives and cultures of the Anasazi and today's Zuni, Hopi and Navajo people through interpretive exhibits. Permanent exhibits include kachinas, pottery, rugs, and silver and turquoise work; there are also rotating art exhibits. The Rex Museum features exhibits on the region's early inhabitants, mining, the railroad and modern-day Gallup.

Route 66 and Coal Avenue are the main locations for much of the gallery and trading-post activity; individual shops and displays may change. Public New Deal art tours, led by an expert guide, visit the historic McKinley County Courthouse and the public library in downtown Gallup. If you're interested in the landscape and getting active, you'll find more detailed trail descriptions: the Church Rock Trail is 3.4 miles long and passes sandstone spires and deep canyons. The High Desert Trail System around Gallup offers more than 22 miles of singletrack for hiking and biking. The Pyramid Rock Trail reaches a summit 7,487 feet high, with panoramic views of Gallup, the Zuni Mountains and the surrounding area.

Zuni: Historic Sites and Art

At the Zuni Visitor Center, you can book tours of Middle Village, considered the oldest part of Zuni Pueblo. Tours to the ancestral village of Hawikku can also be booked there. The site has historical significance: European explorers first made contact with the A:shiwi there in 1539. Check tour arrangements and access rules before visiting.

The Mission Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is part of Halona Pueblo (Zuni Pueblo) on the Zuni Indian Reservation. At the A:shiwi A:wan Museum, the Hawikku exhibit features 221 representative objects selected by Zuni representatives from the Hawikku collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Year-round art offerings include the ARTZ Co-op Art Markets and the Zuni Pueblo ArtWalk. Check dates and participation options before your trip.

For public transit connections, A:shiwi Transit of the Pueblo of Zuni works with Gallup Express and the Navajo Transit System. The service includes public transportation options for accessing recreational activities. Routes and schedules may change; check the latest information as you plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: Gallup, Zuni, Ramah, Doña Ana, Grant County, Sandoval, Chaves County, Eddy.

For the broader travel overview: New Mexico.