West Mesa Open Space
Much of the open space acquired around the volcanoes, on the mesa top, and along the volcanic escarpment was included within Petroglyph National Monument in 1990. However, large tracts adjacent to the Monument remain under the sole
management of 
the City. The 4,200 acre parcel of land is predominantly north and east of the volcanoes and preserves vast expanses of mesa-top lava flows, small volcanic features, archaeological sites, arroyo courses and wide vistas.
The Mesa Grasslands Preserve consists of over 3,800 acres west of the volcanoes in the Rio Puerco Valley. This area provides valuable habitat for certain plant and wildlife including an open range for herds of pronghorn antelope.
Areas
The West Mesa Open Space contains the following areas:
- Petroglyph National Monument contains a number of areas of cultural and geologic importance.
- Piedras Marcadas Canyon provides trails to ancient petroglyphs.
- Boca Negra Canyon has three trails leading to ancient petroglyphs.
- Rinconada Canyon has a 1.3 mile trail leading to ancient petroglyphs.
- Volcanoes - the remains of five dormant volcanic cores.
- Grasslands Preserve is undeveloped and closed to the public.
- Paseo de la Mesa Multi-Use Trail. Take a ride or a stroll on a new addition to the West Mesa trails network!
- Shooting Range State Park is a fee area for target shooting.
- La Boca Negra Horseman's Complex
- George J. Maloof Memorial Air Park
Current Planning Efforts
The Open Space Division is in the process of developing a multi-use, natural-surface trail network on approximately 3,600 acres of Open Space land surrounding Petroglyph National Monument. Stakeholder and community input was a key factor in determining desired connections, access, and facility improvements.
Please review our project webpage and the West Mesa Trails Plan (WMTP) at the following link: https://www.westmesatrails.org/ and the West Mesa Trails Plan (WMTP) pdf.
Please email [email protected] with any comments or feedback about the WMTP by July 1st 2024.
