Visiting the Navajo Nation & Zuni Pueblo
Immerse yourself in the Native American experience with this 3-day itinerary.
Zuni Pueblo
Colony of Artists
Thousands of years of history, a continuity of cultural traditions, and a unique language make Zuni Pueblo a "bucket list" destination.
Located 38 miles southwest of Gallup, Zuni Pueblo is the largest of the nineteen New Mexican Pueblos, covering more than 700 square miles with a population of over 10,000.
Zuni Pueblo is considered the most traditional of all the New Mexico Pueblos, with a unique language, culture and history that resulted in part from the Zuni’s geographic isolation. Close to 80% of the Zuni workforce is involved in creating art, establishing the Pueblo as an “artist colony.”
The main industry is the production of art, including inlay silver work, stone fetish carving, pottery and others mediums many of which are world famous. To experience art immersion in the Zuni Pueblo, visit the Zuni Pueblo Artwalk.
Learn about the A:shiwi/Zuni culture at A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, featuring an exhibit on the ancestral village of Hawikku, or join one of the immersive tours listed below.
Directions & Visitor Info
When planning a visit to Zuni Pueblo, it is important to remember that you will be visiting an active community, rich in culturally significant areas, and not a museum or theme park.
Driving Directions from Gallup
Zuni Pueblo is located 38 miles southwest of Gallup, New Mexico — approximately a 45-minute drive.
From I-40 in downtown Gallup:
- Enter Route 602, heading south
- Travel south along Route 602 south until you reach Route 53
- Turn west on Route 53 until you enter the Zuni Pueblo
Click Here for Driving Directions
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is located along Route 53 at 1239 NM-53, Zuni, NM 87327. Here, receive area information and maps, and view the historic Nuestra Señorade Guadalupe mission and world famous murals of Zuni ceremonial figures. Don’t miss the original 1776 San Miguel altar bulto/statue at the Zuni Visitor Center!
While at the Visitor Center, guests can also inquire about photography guidelines and purchase photo permits. A photo permit is required for all photography on the Reservation. Remember to ask permission before photographing people. It is never appropriate to photograph religious or cultural activities.
Zuni Pueblo Tours
Whether visitors have a couple of hours or a couple of days, the Zuni Visitor Center provides a slate of tours to accommodate guests, including archaeology tours, arts and crafts, as well as walking, hiking, and photography tours to soak up the scenic beauty on the back roads around Zuni Pueblo.
Many of the tours at Zuni Pueblo are immersive, a welcome to the community and an introduction to the cultural heritage and history of the Zuni people.
Art, Culture, History & Heritage Tours
Visit Halona:Idwan'a (The Middle Village)
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $20 per person
An oral presentation of "The Migration Story," presented during a walking tour of Zuni's most historic and culturally significant neighborhood. This is an inhabited neighborhood. Unguided visits are discouraged.
Zuni Building Through the Ages
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $35 per person
Learn more about the traditional building styles, techniques and materials used by the Zuni people. The Pueblo's structures — constructed of adobe, sandstone, wood, cement, glass, and steel — are central to the legacy of the Zuni.
Shiwi (Zuni) World View
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $35 per person
This tour offers a window into the history, culture, and religion of the A:shiwi, sharing insights into the Migration story, Spanish impacts and how religion factors into life in Zuni Pueblo.
Artist Studio Demonstration
Cost: $85 per visit, up to 4 people per visit
Visit with Zuni artists to learn about Zuni arts and techniques from traditional pottery, stone "fetish" carving, silversmith, jewelry, wood carving, painting, bead work and more.
Ancient Pueblo Cuisine
Cost: $85 for 1.5-2 hours
Travel back in time as you sample traditional foods of the Zuni Pueblo during this intimate experience led by Zuni artists Elroy Natachu and Kandis Quam.
Traditional Zuni Cooking
Cost: $85 per visit, up to 4 people per visit
Learn about the traditional Puebloan diet, foods, and cooking traditions with this hands-on experience led by Zuni bakers and cooks.
Traditional Zuni Embroidery & Pueblo Textiles
Cost: $85 for 1.5-2 hours
Discover the hidden meanings in traditional Pueblo clothing and designs and learn about Puebloan weaving techniques and embroidery with artists Elroy Natachu and Kandis Quam.
Native American Music & Dance
Cost: $85 per visit, up to 4 people per visit
Learn about traditional and contemporary Native American music and dance from award-winning local musicians Shelley Morningsong (N.Cheyenne) and Fabian Fontenelle (Zuni/Omaha).
Archaeology Tours
With the exception of Re-Discover the Cities of Cibola, all tours last approximately 2.5-3 hours and are $85 for one or two people, $35 each for three or more people.
Hawikku Tour
Step back in time in Hawikku, one of the fabled "Cities of Cibola." This was the site of "first contact" between Europeans and Native People in the Southwest in 1540 with the arrival of Coronado. Additionally, it is one of the only sites extensively excavated by archaeologist Frederick Hodge from 1917 to 1923.
Village of the Great Kivas Tour
Experience this Chacoan-outlier village with its "great" kivas, as well as extensive petroglyphs and pictographs. Essentially two tours in one, this tour connects the cultural and societal elements of Zuni's early history with more modern times.
Historic Farming Village Tour
Tours several ancestral farming village sites — many of which still maintained by Zuni families — for a closer look at Zuni's agricultural history.
Badger Springs Tour
This tour of a backcountry and Great House site features a cluster of remote ancestral settlements, with petroglyphs carved into the sandstone cliffs.
Re-Discover the Cities of Cibola
Full day tour of several ancestral sites. The “Cities of Cibola include Halona:Idiwan'a (present-day Zuni Pueblo), Hawikku (Where Coronado first arrived), and the unexcavated sites of K'wa'kin'a, Kechiba:wa, Mats'a:kya, and Kyaki:ma. The seventh is on top of the mesa. Inaccessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Zuni Pueblo located?
Zuni Pueblo is located in Zuni County — approximately 38 miles southwest of Gallup and 150 miles west of Albuquerque in western New Mexico.
Can you visit the Zuni Pueblo?
Yes! Visitors are welcome to visit the Zuni Pueblo and learn more about the Native American community's rich history, traditions and culture. All visitors are asked to respect the Zuni Pueblo's customs and traditions while visiting — you will be visiting an active, inhabited community and not a museum or theme park.
What is Zuni Pueblo known for?
Zuni Pueblo is known for its rich Native American history and traditional arts. Approximately 80% of the Zuni workforce consists of artisans and artists, who build upon the Pueblo's rich history of crafting beautiful pottery, intricate jewelry and drawings. The Pueblo is also known for their vibrant cultural and religious ceremonies and dances.
Are Zuni and Navajo the same?
No, Zuni and Navajo are not the same. While both tribes can be found within the southwestern United States, including areas surrounding Gallup, each are distinct Native American tribes with their own languages, histories and cultural traditions.
Are there places to eat at Zuni Pueblo?
Yes! There are several nearby dining options while visiting Zuni Pueblo, including Chu-Chu's Restaurant, Halona Plaza Deli, Halona Marketplace and Zuni Express.
Is photography permitted at Zuni Pueblo?
Yes, however a proper photo permit is required prior to photographing scenery. Photo permits can be purchased at the Zuni Visitor Center. Photography of religious dances and activities in the Middle Village area is strictly forbidden.
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