Do you enjoy exploring historic or abandoned structures? It happens to be one of my favorite pastimes. You can find some fascinating places on a number of trails throughout the state. On one abandoned place hike in New Mexico, you’ll take a trail to an abandoned defensive structure that was built by Navajos.

Simon Canyon Ruin is found within the 3,900-acre Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). It's located in the northwest section of New Mexico.
Grady Calhoun/AllTrails
Here you'll discover historic ruins that are accessible via a trail that's considered moderately challenging with an elevation gain of only 147 feet.
Heidi Hewett/AllTrails
The Simon Canyon Ruin Trail is a 1.6-mile out-and-back trek through a beautiful landscape of rocky terrain. The hiking trail runs alongside a dry riverbed and through a sandstone canyon.
Heidi Hewett/AllTrails

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You'll also encounter the San Juan River where you can spot migratory waterfowl and other bird species including bald eagles. This river serves as a popular fishing spot.
Grady Calhoun/AllTrails
One of the best parts of this hike, however, is the historic site along the trail. Abandoned long ago is the Simon Canyon Ruin which is a Navajo Pueblito.
G B Lemmon/AllTrails
The one-room stone Pueblito was built in 1754 atop a large boulder overlooking the canyon drainage. It had served as a defensive structure and is an important part of Navajo history in New Mexico.
Grady Calhoun/AllTrails

Would you take this abandoned place hike in New Mexico to see the ruins of a historic defensive structure? Let us know in the comments. To learn more about the Simon Canyon Ruin Trail in Navajo Lake State Park, head to AllTrails. And be sure to download the AllTrails+ app for the best trail information. For more information on Navajo Lake State Park near where the Simon Canyon Ruin Trail is located, head to the New Mexico EMNRD website.

 

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Navajo Lake State Park, 1448 NM-511 #1, Navajo Dam, NM 87419, USA