Petroglyph National Monument
HOURS: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. seven days a week ● Closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
LOCATION: Located off Unser Boulevard NW on Western Trail Road (three miles north of I-40).
CONTACT: Emergencies call 911 ● To report suspicious activity or vehicle lock-ins, please call 242-COPS.
Looking towards Albuquerque's West Mesa, one can't help noticing the area's distinctive geology and topography. A closer look reveals many clues of an active cultural and geologic history.
Five dormant volcanic cones and a seventeen-mile basalt escarpment show how a series of eruptions over 100,000 years ago formed the West Mesa. The basalt boulders that tumbled down to the escarpment's edge later provided an ideal material for carving Puebloan and Spanish petroglyphs. Changing hands over the centuries, this land is now part of the Open Space network.
Established in 1990, Petroglyph National Monument is unique not only in its history and landscape, but in its management as well. This 7,244-acre monument relies on a partnership between the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division to protect its nearly 20,000 petroglyphs and provide recreational and educational opportunities to the public.
When visiting Petroglyph National Monument, first visit the National Park Service's Las Imagines Visitor Center.
Get more information about the following areas within the Petroglyph National Monument:
- Piedras Marcadas Canyon provides trails to ancient petroglyphs.
- Boca Negra Canyon has three trails leading to ancient petroglys.
- Volcanoes - the remains of five dormant volcanic cores.
Access
Boca Negra Canyon: Normal hours of operation. Open from 8:30am - 4:30pm. City of Albuquerque Open Space Division is operating this area.
Piedras Marcadas Canyon: Normal hours of operation. Open sunrise to sunset.
Rinconada Canyon: Normal hours of operation. Vehicle access gate will be open from 8:30am - 5:00pm. Open from sunrise to sunset.
Volcanoes Day Use Area: Vehicle access and overflow parking area. Open from sunrise to sunset.
The National Park Service Visitor Center located at 6510 Western Trail NW.
Restrooms at Rinconada Canyon and the Volcanoes Day Use Area.