petroglyph | NM | Find park

Petroglyphs on dark boulders with a cloudy sky.

Handprints and other petroglyphs on boulders at Piedras Marcadas.

A petroglyph of a hawk on a dark boulder with a cloudy sky and mountains in the background.

A petroglyph of a hawk at Mesa Prieta. It can be visited from the South Point trailhead.

Petroglyph of a small mammal along the Mesa Point Trail in Boca Negra Canyon.

Petroglyph of a macaw parrot along the Macaw Trail in Boca Negra Canyon.

Petroglyph imagery of a coyote and rattlesnake in Rinconada Canyon.

Petroglyph panel of sheep grazing in Rinconada Canyon.

Winter scene of snow covered cinder cones at the Volcanoes Day Use Area.

Petroglyphs of a coyote and a rattlesnake on a dark boulder.

These petroglyphs could possibly depict a coyote and a rattlesnake, two of the more commonly seen animals at the monument.

A petroglyph of a bird on a dark boulder.

A petroglyph of a bird at Rinconada Canyon.

Petroglyphs of a bird and a footprint on a dark boulder.

Petroglyphs of a bird and a footprint at Piedras Marcadas Canyon.

A view of the cinder cones covered by dormant grasses.

A line of cinder cone volcanoes at the Volcanoes Day Use Area.

Physical Address:

Visitor Information Center

Unser Blvd. NW at Western Trail

Albuquerque, NM 87120

Mailing Address:

Headquarters Administration Offices

6001 Unser Blvd. NW

Albuquerque, NM 87120

contact-details

Phone Number: 5058990205 Voice
Phone Number: 5058990207 Fax

Email Address: petr_interpretation@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. These images are a valuable record of cultural expression and hold profound spiritual significance for contemporary Native Americans and for the descendants of the early Spanish settlers.

park designation:National Monument

Directions:

GPS: Lat: 35.139 Long: -106.711 From Interstate 40, take the Unser Blvd. exit (#154) proceed north 3 miles to Western Trail. Turn left or west onto Western Trail and follow road to the Visitor Information Center parking lot. From Interstate 25, take the Paseo del Norte exit (#232) and proceed west to Coors Road exit south (must be in center lane to veer left at the Y). Proceed south on Coors Road to Western Trail. Turn right or west onto Western Trail and follow road to the Visitor Info Center parking lot.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Boca Negra Canyon

Staffed by our partner, the City of Albuquerque Open Space, this developed trail system consists of 3 short, paved trails with trail markers. Full service restroom facility, picnic tables, shaded seating areas and a shaded patio area. See up to 100 petroglyphs in one hour if you walk all 3 trails. Last entry is at 4:00 pm daily and all visitors are swept out at 4:30 pm sharp. Pets not allowed.

Exceptions:

Thanksgiving Day Closure (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Christmas Day Closure (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day Closure (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Rinconada Canyon

An undeveloped trail system, no water or services are provided. A 2.2-mile round trip trail where up to 300 petroglyphs can be viewed, especially in the back of the canyon. The natural earth surface trail is easy to moderate to walk. Picnic tables are located in the parking lot. A vault toilet is available. No water. Open for hiking on holidays. After hours parking is available outside of the gated parking lot. Lock your vehicle, secure your valuables, do not leave any items visible. Leashed pets allowed.

Exceptions:

Rinconada Canyon Parking Lot closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Christmas Day Closure (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day Closure (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Piedras Marcadas Canyon

Nestled in the northernmost tip of the monument, this undeveloped trail system is a 6.5-mile drive from the information center. The petroglyph viewing trail is 1.5 miles in and out. No water, no restroom, no amenities available. See up to 400 petroglyphs. Leashed pets allowed, pick-up waste & put in trash can. The non-gated parking lot is located off Golf Course Rd. at Jill Patricia St. (behind the Valvoline Motor Oil station, use Google maps). Stop by the information center for a free trail guide.

Volcanoes Day Use Area

No petroglyph viewing available. One to four miles of hiking trails lead you to the scenic overlook or around the bases of the cinder cones. Hiking to the tops of cones is prohibited. No water available. Vault restroom, benches, and trash cans available. Leashed pets allowed. Owners must pick-up waste & place in trash can. Parking lot is located off Atrisco Vista Blvd. (I-40 exit #149) approximately 4.7 miles north of Interstate 40. Stop by the information center for a free trail guide.

Exceptions:

Volcanoes Day Use Area Parking Lot Closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Weather Information:

Altitude approx. 5000 ft. Usually sunny and dry, with low relative humidity. Winter temperatures range from 40 to 50 degrees F. Summer temperatures range from 88-99 degrees F. 278 days of sunshine per year. Spring can be windy with 20 to 30 mph sustained winds which can produce periods of blowing sand and dust. For current weather forecast, Google Albuquerque weather.