Petroglyph National Monument contains over 20,000 images pecked in stone on the eastern edge of West Mesa, making it one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. Some of these images, created from 400 to 700 years ago, can be recognizable as animals, people, and crosses, while others are more mysterious. All are inseparable from this landscape and from the spirits of the people who created them.
The Monument was established in 1990 to protect the petroglyphs and related archaeological sites. It is cooperatively managed by the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division and the National Park Service.
In the 1970s parts of the Monument were known as Indian Petroglyph State Park at Boca Negra Canyon and Albuquerque's Volcano Park. In 1986 the entire 17-mile escarpment was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1990 the area became Petroglyph National Monument. |
| Fees: |
Boca Negra Canyon:
$1.00 on weekdays; $2.00 on weekends. There is no charge for other areas within the Monument. Phone 505-873-6620 for current rate information.
|
| Hours: |
The Monument has four units:
- Boca Negra Canyon—Two miles north of the Visitor Center on Unser Boulevard. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.). Petroglyphs along three partly paved self-guided trails. Water, restrooms, and picnic tables available. The City of Albuquerque manages this area and collects a nominal parking fee. No pets allowed.
- Piedras Marcadas Canyon—May be entered from a small parking lot west of Golf Course Road.
- Rinconada Canyon—One mile south of the Visitor Center on Unser Boulevard. A 2.5 mile round-trip, unpaved trail follows the base of the escarpment. Water is not available, but there are vault toilets.
- Volcanoes—Offers few petroglyphs, but you can get a close-up view of volcanic geology. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Take I-40 west to Paseo del Volcan (Exit 149); drive north for 4.8 miles to the unmarked entrance on the right. Proceed along an unpaved road to the trailhead parking. Water is not available.
|
| Visitor Center: |
The Las Imagenes Visitor Center is open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. |
| Facilities: |
The Visitor Center has restrooms, drinking water, and a bookstore.
|
| Directions: |
Travel west of Albuquerque via I-40, exit on Unser Boulevard (Exit 154); drive north three miles to Western Trail, turn left, and follow signs. |
| Coordinates: |
Map Coordinates (NAD83) (Visitor Center): 35 08.277N; 106 42.745W. |
| Weather: |
|
| Regulations: |
|
| Precautions: |
|
