Simon Canyon Pueblito

Simon Canyon Pueblito is a small but well-preserved Navajo ruin overlooking Simon Canyon near the San Juan River.

Built in 1754, the pueblito consists of a single stone room perched on top of a roughly 20-foot-high sandstone boulder. Its elevated position made the structure difficult to reach and easy to defend, while also providing a wide view across the canyon below. Simon Canyon is notable because it is one of the few pueblitos built north of the San Juan River and one of the latest known examples of this type of Navajo defensive structure.

History

Simon Canyon Pueblito was built during a period of frequent conflict between Navajo communities and neighboring groups, including the Ute and Comanche.

Small stone pueblitos were often placed on cliffs, mesas, and isolated rocks where residents could watch the surrounding landscape and retreat to a defensible position if necessary. Simon Canyon was constructed in 1754, making it one of the last known pueblitos built in northwestern New Mexico. The San Juan River traditionally marked an important boundary between Navajo and Ute territory, making the pueblito’s location north of the river unusual.

The Pueblito

The structure consists of just one room built on top of a large sandstone boulder about 20 feet high.

Much of the original roof survives, including juniper timbers that were used to date the structure to 1754 through tree-ring analysis. Reaching the room would have required climbing. Handholds and footholds were carved into the sandstone near the top of the boulder, and residents likely used a notched wooden log or rope to reach them. Unlike many other pueblitos, archaeologists have found no evidence of nearby hogans, and other pueblitos cannot be seen from the site.

Visiting Simon Canyon Pueblito

Simon Canyon Pueblito is located on BLM land within the Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

Reaching the ruin requires a short but steep hike up a dirt road followed by a footpath along the canyon bench. The surrounding area is undeveloped, although the main Simon Canyon parking area has primitive campsites and a vault toilet. There is no drinking water. Do not climb on the pueblito or remove pottery, stone tools, or other artifacts from the site.

Getting There

Simon Canyon is located north of the San Juan River, three miles west of Navajo Reservoir and roughly 20 miles east of Aztec and Bloomfield.

From the Simon Canyon parking area, follow the dirt road uphill before continuing onto the footpath along the canyon bench to the pueblito. The road can become rough or impassable after rain or snow, so check conditions before visiting.