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Please use our media library for downloadable images and usage rights.New Mexico is home to 23 tribes including 19 Pueblos, three Apache tribes, and the Navajo Nation. To see what public events are taking place at the pueblos, please visit the events calendar. Please refer to the Cultural Etiquette page before you visit the pueblos, for information on visiting tribal lands.
See Maps: Indian Pueblos and Reservations for location information.
(AH-koh-mah)
PO Box 31, Acoma, NM 87034 1-800-747-0181 505-552-7859 (Group tours)Fifty miles west of Albuquerque, Acoma Pueblo is impressively situated atop a 365-foot sandstone mesa. Although most present-day Acomas have residences in nearby villages, several families still occupy the old homes on the mesa (known as "Sky City"). The delicately decorated pottery of Acoma is among the most prized of Indian crafts. Many fine pieces are for sale in the Visitors Center at the base of the mesa, which also houses a museum, a restaurant and the information center where tours of the pueblo are arranged. Visitors may attend several festivals during the year at the pueblo. Guided hikes are available. Tribal operated gaming is available at Sky City Casino. The pueblo also operates the Sky City Hotel and Conference Center. You must register for a guided tour in order to visit the Pueblo. Reservations are not required for groups of nine or fewer.
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Hours may differ depending on the season.
Photography: Permits for cameras must be purchased at the Sky City Cultural Center prior to photographing on the Acoma lands. No photography is allowed inside the Church, within the cemetery courtyard, and during feast days. Permission must be obtained prior to photographing tribal members or their artwork. No video cameras or audio recording devices are allowed.
Groups: Group tours are available for 10 or more people. See more about scheduling here.
(KOH-chee-tee)
1101 State Road 22, Cochiti Pueblo NM, 87072
505-318-6255
www.cochiti.org
Cochiti Pueblo is midway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The Storyteller, a seated adult with a number of children sitting around her, is one of the most popular pieces of Cochiti Pueblo pottery. Many Cochiti artists also work in watercolors, ink and oil paint. Cochiti is well-known for its handcrafted, double-headed drums. (Drums play a significant role in pueblo ceremonials.) Cochiti Lake offers fishing, sailing, swimming and other water sports. Cochiti Lake Golf Course has been ranked among the top 25 courses in the United States. Tent Rocks National Monument is located on the Pajarito Plateau, but it is not open to visitors.
Photography: No photography, audio recording or video recording is allowed.
Groups: Advance notice required
(iss-LEH-tah)
PO Box 1270, Isleta Pueblo, NM 87022Isleta Pueblo produces red-clay pottery decorated with red and black designs on a white background. The public is invited to several dances during the summer, a September fair and Christmas festivals. Sunrise Lake on the reservation is a popular vacation location. Tribal-operated gaming is available at Isleta Casino and Resort.
Photography: Photography limited to church only
Groups: Advance notice required
(HAY-mez)
7413 Hwy 4, Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024
Jemez Pueblo's village of Walatowa is 55 miles northwest of Albuquerque (approximately one hour's drive) and has been occupied since the 16th century. Many pueblo buildings date back to the period following the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Jemez is the only remaining pueblo to speak the Towa language, an unwritten language. Jemez Pueblo has a closed-village policy, and visitors are welcome into the village only on feast days. The Walatowa Visitor Center provides visitor information about feast days and group tours, and it has a gift shop featuring Jemez pottery. Interpretive exhibits introduce visitors to the history, culture and experience of the Jemez people. The Jemez people are known for their pottery, storytellers, figurines, sculpture, basketry, embroidery, woven cloths, moccasins and jewelry.
Hours: Summer Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; Winter Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.
Photography: Drones, cameras, video camcorders, tape recorders and sketchpads are forbidden.
Groups: Group tours available. Advance notice required.
(lah-GOO-nah)
PO Box 194, Laguna Pueblo, NM 87026
Laguna Pueblo actually comprises six major villages, with tribal offices in Old Laguna. The pueblo has existed at this site, about 45 miles west of Albuquerque off I-40, since as early as 1450. Traditional pottery-making was revived in the 1970s, and today's Laguna painters and jewelers work with innovative designs and techniques. Laguna's many festivals draw large crowds — including other tribes — to enjoy sporting events and to trade in arts and crafts, produce and other goods. Gaming, a full-service restaurant and a cafe are available at Dancing Eagle Casino and Travel Center at Exit 108.
Photography: Photography limited to certain areas. Ask village officials for permission before taking any photos, videos or audio recordings.
Groups: Advance notice required
(nahm-BAY)
15A Bay Poe, Santa Fe, NM 87506
Nambe Pueblo (Nambe — mound of earth, land in a circle) is tucked away at the base of the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo Mountains just 23 miles north of Santa Fe. Take Hwy 84-285 north to Pojoaque, turn right on 503 East Nambe Exit and proceed 3 miles. Turn right at the Nambe Waterfalls Hwy (NP101). Local artists continue to make traditional micaceous pottery, which is a recently revived technique. These artists and many others also weave and make jewelry, stone sculptures and black or red pottery. Nambe Pueblo celebrates its annual feast day on October 4, in honor of the birthday of St. Frances de Assisi. A lake and natural waterfall are located 2 miles east of the pueblo; facilities include a picnic area, fishing, camping, hiking and motorless boating on the lake. Visitors can view majestic buffalo grazing in their natural habitat.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Photography: Nambé Pueblo requires a permit to photograph, sketch or paint on location. At certain times, photography is completely restricted.
Lake/recreation costs: Fishing $18, admission is $20 per car
Groups: Reservations are required for guided tours of the buffalo; call 505-455-2036.
Waterfalls/recreation area: Call 505-455-2304 (seasonal March to September)
(OH-kay oh-WEEN-geh)
PO Box 1099, Ohkay Owingeh, NM 87566
Previously known as San Juan Pueblo, Ohkay Owingeh is located five miles north of Española off US-285. In 2005, the San Juan Pueblo changed its name back to its original name, Ohkay Owingeh, which means "place of the strong people." The pueblo is the headquarters of the Eight Northern Indian Pueblo Council, which promotes cooperative efforts among the northern pueblos. The pueblo has a well-known art center, the Ohkay Owingeh Arts & Crafts Cooperative. Traditional arts here include woodcarving and pottery. Buffalo, Basket and Cloud Dances with beautifully dressed dancers are presented several times a year. Tribal-operated gaming is available at Ohkay Casino and Resort.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Photography: Fee for taking photos or videos and for sketching
Groups: Advance notice required
(peec-kuhr-REES)
PO Box 127, 201 A Pueblo View Road, Peñasco, NM 87553
Picuris Pueblo, often referred to as "Hidden Valley," is located 25 miles southeast of Taos, near the town of Peñasco on NM-75. It is one of the smallest pueblos. Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in the early 1540s, its population was estimated between 2,000 to 3,000. Since the mid-1960s, there has been a revival of traditional religious activities. Picuris celebrates the San Lorenzo Feast Day in August of each year. Picuris potters are known for their unornamented pottery, which has an interesting texture and a subtle glitter from small chips of mica in the pottery clay. A museum houses artifacts and offers arts and crafts for purchase. Visitor attractions include a trout-stocked fishing lake, a picnic area, an overnight campground and archaeological excavations. Visitors are asked to check in at the tribal administrative building before beginning your visit.
Photography: Photo permits are available for $15
Groups: Call ahead to schedule a guided tour.
(po-HWAH-keh)
78 Cities of Gold Road, Santa Fe NM, 87506
Pojoaque Pueblo is located 15 scenic miles north of Santa Fe on Highway 84-285. The Pojoaque Valley is situated amid the spectacular landscape of northern New Mexico's juniper and piñon tree hilltops, mesas and mountains. The name Pojoaque is a Spanish version of Po Suwae Geh, which means "water drinking place." The people of Pojoaque have returned from near extinction and have generated a multiplex of tribally owned and operated enterprises, all while maintaining a traditional cultural base. The Pueblo of Pojoaque's Tribal Council established the Poeh Museum and Cultural Center in 1988 as a permanent tribally owned and operated means of cultural preservation and revitalization within the pueblo communities of the northern Rio Grande Valley. The center emphasizes the arts and cultures of all pueblo people, with a focus on the Tewa-speaking pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Ohkay Owingeh, Santa Clara and Tesuque, and the Tiwa-speaking pueblos of Picuris and Taos. Museum tours are available for groups of seven or more. The tribally-owned Cities of Gold Hotel and Casino offers Las Vegas-style gaming and other entertainment.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
(sahn-DEE-ah)
505-867-3317
Sandia Pueblo, located 14 miles north of Albuquerque, is visible from I-25 but must be accessed off NM-313. Sandia has been in existence at its present site since as early as 1300 A.D., and was one of the campsites of Coronado in 1541. Pueblo land elevations range from 5,000 feet in the Rio Grande Valley to 8,200 feet in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Visitors are welcome to Sandia Pueblo's annual feast day on June 13. The Pueblo owns and operates three enterprises: 1) Sandia Lakes Recreation Area (505-771-5190), located 15 minutes from downtown Albuquerque, with fishing, picnicking, nature trails and a bait and tackle shop. 2) Bien Mur Indian Market Center (505-821-5400), with the highest quality of Indian arts and crafts. 3) Sandia Resort & Casino (505-796-7500), located immediately north of Albuquerque and deemed one of the most beautiful and spacious gaming facilities in the Southwest. Las Vegas-style gaming, a gift shop, fine dining, a deli/coffee shop, a lounge, an amphitheater and extraordinary views of the Sandia Mountains all add to the fun and excitement of Sandia Casino.
(sahn fey-LEE-peh)
PO Box 4339, San Felipe Pueblo, NM 87001
San Felipe Pueblo is situated 30 miles northwest of Albuquerque off 1-25 and about 10 miles north of Bernalillo. The present pueblo was founded during the early 18th century and today still retains its traditional customs. Outsiders are generally not encouraged to visit, but the pueblo does welcome visitors to the Annual Feast Day on May 1. Innovative pottery and some jewelry forms are produced by pueblo members. Tribal-operated gaming is available at San Felipe Casino Hollywood.
Other: Visitors discouraged; contact Pueblo Office
(sahn eel-deh-FOHN-soh)
02 Tunyo Po, Santa Fe, NM 87506 505-455-2273 www.sanipueblo.org
San Ildefonso has been located at its present site, 20 miles northwest of Santa Fe off NM-502, the road to Los Alamos, since the late 1500s. Beautifully situated on the eastern bank of the Rio Grande, San Ildefonso is very well known for its black-on-black pottery which commands the respect of fine art collectors worldwide. Some dances are open to the public throughout the year; of particular importance is the Buffalo-Deer Dance, which takes place on San Ildefonso's feast day. A museum displays local arts and crafts. The Visitor Center can provide additional information and direct people to craft shops in the pueblo. Fishing is available at the lake.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Admission: $5 per person or max of $20 per personal vehicle
Photo Fee: Photos are allowed, for a fee, in the village only. Certain areas of the pueblo are off limits.
Groups: Advance notice required
(SAHN-tah AN-nah)
2 Dove Road, Santa Ana, NM 87004
The Pueblo of Santa Ana is located on NM-550, about 8 miles northwest of Bernalillo, just west of the confluence of the Rio Jemez and Rio Grande. Santa Ana is a small pueblo with a rich history dating back over 1,000 years. The people of Santa Ana take pride in being one of the more progressive economically. The pueblo has become a multi-faceted corporation, with enterprises such as a garden center, Blue Corn Enterprises, fine dining restaurants and 45 holes of championship golf. To showcase their tradition of hospitality, the pueblo has created the Santa Ana Star Casino and the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa. The Starlight Lanes Bowling Center is part of the Santa Ana Star Casino. At Santa Ana, culture and land are one.
(SAHN-tah KLAH-rah)
PO Box 580, Española, NM 87532
Santa Clara lies 22 miles northwest of Santa Fe and is easily reached via US 84/285 and NM-30. The pueblo's Tourist Information Office provides information on the pueblo and directions to various arts and crafts shops. Santa Clara is known for its highly polished black and red pottery and its outstanding painters and sculptors. Several dances and festivals, such as the Buffalo and Corn Dance, are open to the public. The beauty of the pueblo's archaeological sites and the splendor of its scenery are famous in the Southwest. Tribal operated gaming is available at the Santa Claran Hotel Casino.
(SAHN-to doh-MEEN-go)
134 Tesuque St., Santo Domingo, NM 87052
505-465-2214
santodomingopueblo.com
Life in Santo Domingo has altered little since the arrival of the Europeans. Great emphasis is placed on the pueblo's religious organization, which is the core of its social structure, and on the passing on of its native language (Keres), customs, dances and songs. Santo Domingo can be reached by paved road off I-25, about halfway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The pueblo is known for its fine heishi and turquoise, other stones and silver, and strictly traditional pottery. The pueblo is open to visitors for its annual feast day in August.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Photography: Cameras, camcorder and sketching are not permitted.
(TAH-os)
PO Box 1846, Taos, NM 87571
Taos Pueblo is one of New Mexico's most authentic examples of pueblo architecture and tradition. The pueblo's renowned multi-story apartment houses and famous church can be reached via NM-68 north from Española, through the town of Taos. Taos Pueblo, with Mount Wheeler — the highest mountain of New Mexico — as its backdrop, is known for its prime scenery, farmland and hunting. Taos is also known for the drum-making and leather work of its artisans, and its fine dancers, who are admired widely. Visitors are welcome. Tribal-operated gaming is available at Taos Mountain Casino.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Admission: $25 per person (adult), $22 per person (group of 8 adults or more), $22 per person (students)
Photo Fee: Commercial photographers and/or artists must obtain approval before photographing or using the image of Taos Pueblo.
Groups: Advance notice required. Call 575-758-1028 for more info.
(te-SOO-keh)
Tesuque Pueblo Rt 4, Box 360-T, Santa Fe, NM 87506
Tesuque Pueblo, about 10 miles north of the city of Santa Fe off US 84/285, is thought to have been established prior to 1200 A.D. Pueblo artists specialize in brightly colored pottery based on traditional designs, and modeled figurines decorated with lively designs, which are widely collected by pueblo art aficionados. The most popular Tesuque dances, the Harvest, Deer and Buffalo, are held in winter. Tesuque Pueblo operates Tesuque Casino and The Santa Fe Suites.
Photography: Not allowed
Group: Advance notice required
(ZEE-ah)
135 Capital Square Dr.
Zia Pueblo blends into the landscape atop its rocky knoll, 18 miles northwest of Bernalillo on NM-550, where it has been located — almost invisibly — since 1300 A.D. The Zia sun symbol is familiar, as it has been adopted by New Mexico as the official state insignia and appears on the state flag. The pueblo is small, but it has produced beautiful traditional works of art. The Zia have long been known as the creators of excellent, well-fired pottery with artistic decorations in brown or black (often utilizing a bird motif). Some Zia painters have achieved recognition for their fine watercolors.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Photography: No photography, camcorders, sketching or recordings permitted
Groups: Advance notice required
(ZOO-nee)
PO Box 339, Zuni, NM 87327
Zuni Pueblo, the largest of the 19 New Mexico pueblos, can be reached on NM-602, about 32 miles southwest of Gallup in the west-central part of New Mexico. Zuni jewelry is widely acclaimed. Fashioned of turquoise, shell and jet stone, it is set in silver in intricate patterns known as "needlepoint," or in fine inlay patterns. The Zuni people also are known for their fine beadwork and exquisite animal fetishes carved from translucent shell or stone. Visitors can go to the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center to learn more about the Zuni people.
(hee-cah-REE-ah)
PO Box 507, Dulce, NM 87528
The Jicarilla Reservation is located 5 miles from the Colorado border. It comprises more than 742,000 acres, with headquarters in Dulce, 28 miles west of Chama on US-64. The reservation encompasses beautiful mountain ranges, sagebrush flats and deep mesa canyons. The Jicarilla Apache Reservation is highly accessible, and group lodging is available. The reservation has an arts and crafts museum featuring basket-making demonstrations, and a cultural center. Hunting for mule deer, elk, turkey and waterfowl is available. Several lakes offer trout fishing, and campgrounds are available around the lakes.
Admission: Free
Photography: No camera permits are required
Other: A hunting or fishing permit is required from the Jicarilla Game and Fire Department
(mess-kah-LEH-row)
PO Box 227, Mescalero, NM 88340
The Mescalero Apaches live on a 460,000-acre reservation in southeastern New Mexico, between Ruidoso and Tularosa, with tribal offices at Mescalero on US-70. The Mescalero have been leaders in recreational and sporting enterprises, utilizing their scenic mountains, valleys and streams well. The Inn of the Mountain Gods, located by Lake Mescalero, has luxurious accommodations, fine dining, a beautiful golf course and excellent shops, as well as fishing, horseback riding and other recreation. Big game hunts for bear and elk in the fall, along with turkey hunts in the spring, are popular events. Several campsites are available. Mescalero-owned Ski Apache is only 40 minutes away in the Lincoln National Forest. Tribal-operated gaming is available at Casino Apache. Stop by the Mescalero Apache Cultural Center & Museum to learn more about their culture.
(NA-vah-hoe)
PO Box 663, Window Rock, AZ 86515
The Navajos simply call themselves "Diné" — The People. They represent the largest Native American group in the country. The reservation covers over 27,000 square miles of colorful, diverse topography, expanding into the states of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Window Rock on the Arizona/New Mexico border, off US-666 northwest of Gallup, is the Navajo capital. The Navajos are known for their beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry, sand paintings and skillfully crafted woven rugs. Most New Mexican Navajos reside in the northwest section of the state. Other groups include Navajos at Tohajiilee, west of Albuquerque; the Alamo Navajos and Magdalena Navajos, west of Socorro; and the Ramah Navajos in western New Mexico. New Mexico Navajos are justly proud of the Navajo Rug Auctions, the Eastern Navajo Fair in Crownpoint and the SNorthern Navajo Fair in Shiprock.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is an excellent way to acquaint yourself with the distinctive art, history and culture of New Mexico's 19 pueblos. The main museum is of special interest, presenting displays that trace the development of pueblo culture. Every weekend, traditional Native American dance performances grace the central plaza. The center also hosts special events year-round. The gift shop offers a selection of fine pottery, paintings, sculpture, rugs, sand paintings, kachinas, traditional and contemporary jewelry, drums, and books. Inside the center, the Indian Pueblo Kitchen offers a vast menu of New Native American cuisine, made with a number ingredients sourced from several of the local pueblos.
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