Aztec Ruins National Monument has new hours of operation beginning May 26

National Park Service officials have announced a change in the hours of operation at Aztec Ruins National monument this weekend.

According to a news release from the agency, the grounds at the park will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning Sunday, May 26 – a change from the old hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. that were in effect from the middle of May through the middle of October.

The park’s visitor center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The new hours will remain in effect on a year-round basis, according to the release.

The change was made by NPS officials after careful analysis of visitor use data and visitation patterns, the release states.

Under the new hours, the visitor center will not be open for the park’s first two hours of operation each day. But visitors will be able to walk the trail through the Aztec West Great House, follow the Old Spanish Trail to the Animas River bridge and use the picnic area.

The park is located at 725 Ruins Road in Aztec. Call 505-334-6174 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Aztec Ruins will open, close earlier under new hours announced by NPS