walatowa visitor center

We happened to find this as we were driving from Colorado. Kevin was so informative and friendly. Our 9 and 11 yr old were able to do the hour and a half hike and we thoroughly enjoyed our time.

We stopped here while driving the Jemez Mountain Scenic Byway. We met an artist from the Jemez Pueblo and wanted to learn more about her pueblo. It is small but very well done. There is a museum that gives a lot of information on the history of the people here and how they live today. Also has a gift shop with items made locally by the people who live here. It's worth the stop if you want to know more about the area you are driving through.

The museum is interesting and the gift shop has some unique local items. My main interest was the guided tour of Red Rocks of Jemez across the highway. If you're the least bit interested in photography do the guided tour of those rocks and experience them up close. Lighting can be good the whole day--the shadows and light are just in different places--and you'll learn about the history, geology, and creatures of the area from your guide.

I stopped by to see the museum. It is only one room, but has some nice artifacts about the Pueblo Jemez people. There was a nice collection of old Pueblo pottery. Stop by if you are in the area, but don't go out of your way to visit.

We stopped by to visit the museum at this visitor center and were quite impressed. The people running the visitor center are very friendly and helpful and the very little museum attached to the store is quite good showing nice examples of pottery and native craft of the pueblo. The Jemez pueblo is closed to the public with some exceptions so this is a good way to view and try to understand the culture. There is also a gift shop attached to the visitor center. And, since we were in need of gas, we were pleased to find that there is a gas station adjacent to the center. While the museum is free there is a donation "jar" at the entry which is a very nice way to help support the efforts of the museum.

I have had the honor of attending Buffalo Dance ceremony several times at the Jemez Pueblo. It is not a performance but a ceremony of great energy and beauty. Both times I've been have been around the Christmas Holiday's. One time there was 4" of fresh snow and sunshine. My traveling companions did want to stay all day like I did. So I told them to leave and come get me later. Which they did. Watching became a spiritual experience for me. Don't bring camera's of any kind. You are not allowed to record the ceremony.

Jemez Pueblo is rather closed, but you can visitor this area. The visitor's center has a very nice small museum that explains beliefs and culture of the people, I especially liked the way a person such as a child's story was told. A history of the development of the pueblo was also given in attractive fashion, historic items were showcased, etc. Very well done. There is also a small gift shop with many quality items for sale, postcards, books, pottery, blankets, pillow tops, pins, jewelry. Prices were about the same as you would pay for quality work anywhere. The potter, Michelle Mora, whose work was chosen for the 9/11 memorial, sets up a table in front of the museum and sells Christmas ornaments, small pots, painted eggs, items of all sizes and prices. Across the street is a gas station/snacks place as well as flush toilets which were none too clean but served the purpose. There is a park opposite the visitor's center. A number of open air vendors sell wonderful fry bread, horno bread, and other food items. Definitely work a stop in the beautiful red rock area.