Pecos NHP is about 25 miles east of Santa Fe between Interstate 25 and NM Route 50. Some archeologists think the site may have been used for 10,000 years. The site is situated at a point where the early people could trade with the other Rio Grande tribes, the plains nations and possibly Mexico. The peak of the growth of the Pecos village occurred before 1450. Francisco Coronado, with 1200 solders, arrived about 1540 and started searching for the fabled "cities of gold". Francisian priests began building churchs about 1600. The present church ruins were probably constructed in the early 1700's. For many reasons, Pecos pueblo declined to total abandonemnt by 1838.

Pecos can boast as having one of the most beautiful visitor's center in the National Park's system, thanks to the generosity of E. E. "Buddy" Fogelson and his wife, Green Garson. The land on which the center stands (23 acres) was donated by them as well as half of the cost of constructing the building and the adjacent facilities.