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2022 Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park

Pecos, NM: This year’s annual Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park will be a blend of virtual and in-person events. On Thursday, March 24^th and Friday, March 25th the park will co-host online educational programs and discussions. On Saturday, March 26^th visitors can join us for a free, family-friendly encampment to bring to life the experience of the Civil War in New Mexico. Interact with living history participants, witness black powder demonstrations, and try your hand at drilling with wooden muskets.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, March 24^th

7:00 p.m.

Virtual Presentation: Fort Union and the Civil War

Fort Union was the most important post for the U.S. Army in the Southwest during the Civil War years. Join Fort Union National Monument Park Ranger Mike Weinstein for a conversation about the role of Fort Union–both as a defender of New Mexico and as a target for invading Confederate troops–in the Civil War. Presentation hosted by the Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park. Registration required; see registration information below.

Friday, March 25^th

7:00 p.m.

Virtual Presentation: Sam Adams: An African American Civil War veteran and his New Mexican Life

Hannah Abelbeck, photo archivist in the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives at the New Mexico History Museum, will delve into the life of Samuel Adams. Supported by rich historical photographs, she will examine the experience of an African American Civil War veteran who served with the Colorado Volunteers. Registration required; see registration information below.

To register for virtual programs, please e-mail peco_visitor_information@nps.gov with your name, phone number and the dates of the lectures for which you would like to register. Registration must be received no later than noon the day of the event. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to join the presentation. We have a limited number of available slots, so please register early. If you have any questions, please call 505-757-7272.

Saturday, March 26^th

Civil War Encampment

Kids’ Activities

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Stop by the kids’ tent to create and decorate a 19th-century optical illusion toy called a thaumatrope, re-create the Pecos Valley during the Battle of Glorieta with Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, and horses or have a friendly competition playing the popular Civil War-era game of trap ball.

Black Powder Demonstration

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

See, hear, and experience the power of black powder muskets.

Living History and Drilling

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Visitors can participate in mock soldiers’ drills with wooden muskets and connect with living history presenters in the encampment field.

Cannon Firing

12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Observe the power of Civil War era cannon firing.

All events are free and open to the public. From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way-stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the park will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.

Many thanks to park partners including the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, Western National Parks Association, the Artillery Company of New Mexico, Volunteers from Living History Unit from Fort Union National Monument for their invaluable help with this event.

For more information about the park in general, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).

Park Announces Plans for 2022 Spring Fishing Season

Park Fishing Program

Pecos, NM: Pecos National Historical Park will offer spring fishing permits for the Pecos River within the park boundaries. The 2022 spring fishing season will begin March 3rd and end April 11th. Please note that spring fishing hours will be from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Pecos National Historical Park uses an online reservation system. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance via www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. A $15 per day fee must be paid online during the online reservation process. Please note that anglers are required to check in and acquire a special use permit at the park visitor center prior to fishing. For more information related to fishing, visit the park website https://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.

Within the park, three miles of the Pecos River are divided into three sections or “beats.” This approach offers anglers roughly one mile on the Pecos River to fish with up to two other people for the day. Three beats (for up to nine anglers per day) are available on the reservation system.

From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the park will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.

Pecos NHP Closed on 2/3/22 Due to Winter Weather Conditions

Park Events

Pecos, NM: Pecos National Historical Park will be closed today due to hazardous driving conditions.

Starry Nights at Pecos National Historical Park

Park Events

Pecos, NM:– Join us for an evening under the wonderful Western sky on Saturday, October 9^th.

At 7:00 p.m. park staff and volunteers from the Santa Fe Stargazers will bring out telescopes and binoculars to gaze at the stars and check out Saturn, Jupiter, and deep-sky objects. Visitors are also invited to bring their own telescopes and spotting scopes to explore the night skies. This event is weather-dependent and red-bulb flashlights and appropriate clothing are strongly recommended. Reservations are required and participation is limited to 40 people. Please call the Visitor Center at 505-757-7241 to make a reservation.

The park entrance gate will open at 6:00 p.m. and will shut at 7:30 p.m. Please note that after 7:30 no further entry will be permitted.

You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).

To promote our staff and visitors’ safety, masks are required in all NPS buildings and masks must be worn in outdoors spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Individuals looking to get COVID-19 vaccine can visit vaccines.gov or text their ZIP code to 438829 to find a location close to them and make an appointment.

From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the visitor center will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the visitor center will be on your left.

Park Offers Last of the Special Hikes to Backcountry Pueblos

Park Tours, PNHP News

Pecos, NM:– Pecos National Historical Park offers the last of two special backcountry hikes for 2021.

Arrowhead Pueblo

Join rangers for a free tour of the seldom-seen Arrowhead Pueblo on Sunday, September 12^th.This one-mile roundtrip visit to the 14^th century pueblo will explore the historical, archaeological, and cultural significance of this 100+ room ruin. Visitors interested in the tour are required to reserve a spot, as space is limited. Attendees will meet at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. and caravan to the trailhead with the ranger.

Forked Lightning Pueblo

Explore the site of the Forked Lightning Pueblo on Saturday, September 11th. Along the two-mile roundtrip backcountry hike to the remnants of this 13th century pueblo, you will explore the fascinating history of a large settlement that sits on the western bank of Glorieta Creek. The pueblo, which housed hundreds of people primarily between 1225 and 1300 AD, was described and mapped by noted archaeologist A.V. Kidder in the late 1920s. Much has been learned about this historical treasure since then—come see for yourself!

This 2.5 hour program is an off-trail hike along uneven terrain through areas frequented by snakes. Visitors interested in the tour must reserve a spot. Space is limited to 20 participants. Attendees will meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Upper Parking Lot adjacent to the ruins of the mission church.

Please remember to keep your distance. Follow the CDC’s social distancing guidelines and stay at least six feet away from other people. If you are not fully vaccinated, wear a mask indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.

For more information and to make reservations, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241.

From I-25: Due to upcoming road construction, it is recommended that you take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.

Park Offers Special Hikes to Backcountry Pueblos

Park Tours, PNHP News

Arrowhead Pueblo

Join rangers for a free tour of the seldom-seen Arrowhead Pueblo on Sunday, August 15^th.This one-mile roundtrip visit to the 14^th century pueblo will explore the historical, archaeological, and cultural significance of this 100+ room ruin. Visitors interested in the tour are required to reserve a spot, as space is limited. Attendees will meet at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. and caravan to the trailhead with the ranger.

Forked Lightning Pueblo

Explore the site of the Forked Lightning Pueblo on Saturday, August 14th. Along the two-mile roundtrip backcountry hike to the remnants of this 13th century pueblo, you will explore the fascinating history of a large settlement that sits on the western bank of Glorieta Creek. The pueblo, which housed hundreds of people primarily between 1225 and 1300 AD, was described and mapped by noted archaeologist A.V. Kidder in the late 1920s. Much has been learned about this historical treasure since then—come see for yourself!

For more information and to make reservations, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241.

From I-25: Due to upcoming road construction, it is recommended that you take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.

Night Sky Photography Workshop – August 7, 2021

Night Photography

Introduction to Night Photography – Methods and Practice

7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Stan Ford - Night Sky Photography Workshop at Pecos National Historical Park

Is night photography in a beautiful setting on your learning bucket list? The Friends of Pecos National Historical Park is hosting this unique workshop. Park volunteer Stan Ford will lead an introductory night photography session for a limited number of participants. Participants should plan to bring their own manual mode-enabled cameras, tripods, red-bulb flashlights, and weather-appropriate clothing. Reservations are required and space is extremely limited; please email Stan Ford at fotosbyford@gmail.com to make reservations. The class will cover basic methods of nighttime photography at the Pecos Room by the Visitor Center starting at 7:00 and will be followed by practice at the Church area around 8:00.

The park entrance gate will open at 6:30 p.m. and will shut at 7:00 p.m. Please note that after 7:00 no further entry will be permitted. NPS/PECO requires the use of masks, regardless of vaccination status, while indoors.

From I-25: Due to upcoming road construction, it is recommended that you take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.

Drum-making Demonstrations at Pecos NHP

Park Events

Join Tomás Herrera of Cochiti Pueblo on June 26th and 27th for a demonstration of how traditional Cochiti-style drums are made! Herrera will showcase his methods and materials, including tools and processes, at the Pecos National Historical Park visitor center between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on both days. For more information, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241.