Simon Canyon Ruin

Simon Canyon Ruin, a Navajo “Pueblito,” is the only classic “boulder type” defensive site built north of the San Juan River and dates back to 1754. It consists of a well-preserved one-room structure built on top of a large boulder. Simon Ruin can be reached by taking a short hike up a steep dirt road past an active well location, then continuing on a foot path located along the bench overlooking the Simon Canyon drainage.

Simon Canyon Ruin lies within Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern, north of the San Juan River, about 3 miles west of Navajo Reservoir. It is about 20 miles east of Aztec and Bloomfield, NM, and is generally accessible via US Highways 550 and 64 and State roads 173, 511, and 539. It can also be reached from the Colorado state line by taking NM 511 and NM 173.

Time Period Represented

18th century Pueblito

Open year round

Seasons Open

Year round, although summers can be excessively hot, winters v-e-r-y cold and road conditions in the area can deteriorate rapidly when wet.

None.