Petroglyph National Monument

Address:6001 Unser Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tel: (505) 899-0205

Be awed by natural beauty at the Petroglyph National Monument near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 7,236-acre Petroglyph National Monument is a collection of five inactive volcanoes, hundreds of archaeological sites, and around 25,000 carved images left over from the native peoples and early Spanish settlers. Today, the site is home to gorgeous hikes through the area.

The history of the Petroglyph National Monument is a mixture of natural and cultural beauty, with the blending of the ancient Puebloan and other Native American peoples with the more modern Spanish and Mexican culture, each providing its own customs and traditions against the backdrop of the area's natural rock formations. The Petroglyph National Monument contains timeworn and mysterious carvings in the volcanic rock, the last remnant in the area of peoples who moved on through place and time.

The Petroglyph National Monument hosts several hiking trails, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. The Volcanoes Day Use Area at the site includes the JA Volcano and the Albuquerque Overlook, a one-mile trail to a scenic overlook and back; the Black Volcano Loop, an 8-mile hike around the Black Mountain; and the Vulcan Volcano Loop, a two-mile trek around the Vulcan Volcano area. The Petroglyph National Monument's Rinconada Canyon trail is 1.25 miles long and offers insight into the natural and cultural resources of the region. The Boca Negra Canyon offers the Mesa Point, Macaw, and Cliff Base self-guided trails, which should take about one hour of combined walking time. As there is no food on site, visitors should pack accordingly.

To get to the Petroglyph National Monument, take I-40 to exit 154, heading north on Unser Boulevard, then turn left at Western Trail.

Visit the Petroglyph National Monument and experience the wonder of natural elegance.