Petroglyph National Monument
Park Protected site preserving thousands of Native American petroglyphs
Petroglyph National Monument on Albuquerque’s west side protects thousands of petroglyphs carved into volcanic basalt. Visitors hike short trails to view rock art panels and learn about ancestral Pueblo and Hispano traditions.
Petroglyph National Monument protects volcanic basalt cliffs and boulder fields on Albuquerque’s West Mesa that bear thousands of petroglyph images and archaeological features; the monument was established in 1990.
The rock art sites were created over many centuries by indigenous peoples and later visitors; the monument was created to preserve those images and the archaeological landscape around them and to provide managed public access.
The monument runs along the West Mesa of Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the western edge of the city and is accessed from multiple trailheads off city roads and park entrances.
- Establishment: The monument was established in 1990 to protect a large concentration of archaeological rock art and related cultural resources.
- Petroglyph count: It protects more than 20,000 petroglyph images carved into volcanic basalt by ancestral Pueblo peoples and later groups.
What to See #
- Boca Negra Canyon: Boca Negra Canyon, a West Mesa unit with accessible trails and many panel-group petroglyphs visible from short walkways.
- Rinconada Canyon: Rinconada Canyon, a repository of hundreds of pecked images on a basalt face and a popular destination for guided visits.
- Piedras Marcadas Canyon: Piedras Marcadas Canyon, an area with numerous petroglyph panels accessible via short trails close to residential neighborhoods.
How to Get to Petroglyph National Monument #
Petroglyph National Monument is located on Albuquerque’s West Mesa and is most easily reached by car from central Albuquerque; expect a drive of roughly 10-20 minutes depending on which visitor area or trailhead you’re heading to. Several trailheads have small parking areas and marked trails into the monument.
Public transit options are limited to local ABQ RIDE buses and occasional shuttles; many visitors use a car, taxi, or rideshare to reach the various canyon and mesa trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Petroglyph National Monument #
- Plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon to avoid Albuquerque heat and to get the best light on the petroglyph panels for photography and viewing.
- Choose your canyon based on how much walking you want: Boca Negra Canyon offers the easiest access from the city and short stair-access overlooks, while Rinconada Canyon contains some of the densest concentrations of petroglyphs.
- Stick to signed trails and check the monument's visitor information before you go-some viewing areas have narrow, fragile rock surfaces and buildings/sections may be seasonally closed or managed.
Best Time to Visit Petroglyph National Monument #
Best visited in spring or autumn when daytime temperatures are moderate for hiking to the outdoor petroglyph panels.
Weather & Climate near Petroglyph National Monument #
Petroglyph National Monument's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 34°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 3°C. The driest month with just 12 mm.
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May
May is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is mild with highs of 33°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 34°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with 48 mm of rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
