Petroglyph National Monument - National Park Directory

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.

Photos: National Park Service

About Petroglyph National Monument

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.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Monument

Park State / Territory MembershipNew Mexico

Current Alerts3

Visitor Centers1

Campgrounds0

Things To Do7

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

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…

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: New Mexico. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Operating Hours

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 on the petroglyph viewing trails. Trails are not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.

Friday8:30AM - 4:30PM

Monday8:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday8:30AM - 4:30PM

Sunday8:30AM - 4:30PM

Thursday8:30AM - 4:30PM

Tuesday8:30AM - 4:30PM

Wednesday8:30AM - 4:30PM

Activities

HikingFront-Country HikingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Current Alerts

Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.

This is an urban park. Don't hide valuables inside your car. Carry items with you on hike. Lock your vehicle and set car alarm. Report suspicious persons loitering/peeking in cars. Call 928-638-7805

Attention Visitors, Cab drivers, Uber drivers, and transportation service drivers

DO NOT drop off your passengers at the visitor center. No trail access. Visitors must be driven to a trail system from the visitor center. If passengers want to go to the visitor center, WAIT FOR THEM in the parking lot until they come back out.

Bicycle Use In The Monument

Bicycles are ONLY allowed at the following locations: 1 - On the Boca Negra Canyon paved multiuse path; bicycles must remain on the paved bike path. 2 - On the crusher fine trail that winds in and out of the park around the mesa top above Boca Negra.

Getting There

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.

View Official Directions