Petroglyph National Monument • New Mexico

Petroglyphs on dark boulders with a cloudy sky.

A petroglyph of a hawk on a dark boulder with a cloudy sky and mountains in the background.

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.

A petroglyph of a bird on a dark boulder.

Petroglyphs of a bird and a footprint on a dark boulder.

A view of the cinder cones covered by dormant grasses.

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.

Handprints and other petroglyphs on boulders at Piedras Marcadas.
NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit

A petroglyph of a hawk at Mesa Prieta. It can be visited from the South Point trailhead.
NPS Photo

Petroglyph of a small mammal along the Mesa Point Trail in Boca Negra Canyon.
NPS Photo

Petroglyph of a macaw parrot along the Macaw Trail in Boca Negra Canyon.
NPS Photo

Petroglyph imagery of a coyote and rattlesnake in Rinconada Canyon.
NPS Photo

Petroglyph panel of sheep grazing in Rinconada Canyon.
NPS Photo

Winter scene of snow covered cinder cones at the Volcanoes Day Use Area.
NPS Photo

These petroglyphs could possibly depict a coyote and a rattlesnake, two of the more commonly seen animals at the monument.
NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit

A petroglyph of a bird at Rinconada Canyon.
NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit

Petroglyphs of a bird and a footprint at Piedras Marcadas Canyon.
NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit

A line of cinder cone volcanoes at the Volcanoes Day Use Area.
NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit

Information Only. Visitors must drive to a trail system. Click on Things to Do.

Information Center- No Trails Here

Get Park info and driving directions to either Boca Negra, Rinconada, or Piedras Marcadas Canyons to see petroglyphs. No trails at Info Ctr.

Responsible dog owner walking dog on 6-foot leash.

Dogs On Leash Allowed, Pick Up Pet Waste

Pets allowed except at Boca Negra Canyon. 6' maximum leash. Owners must pick up dog waste and throw in trash. DO NOT leave bags on trail.

Boca Negra Canyon

Boca Negra Canyon

Take short walks to see 100 petroglyphs. Open 8:30 am - 4:30 pm daily. Last entry at 4:00 pm is strictly enforced.

Rinconada Canyon

Rinconada Canyon

Hike a 2.2 miles loop trail to see 300 petroglyphs. Open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

Piedras Marcadas Canyon

Piedras Marcadas Canyon

A 1.5 mile round trip to see 400 petroglyphs. Open daily sunrise to sunset.

A series of cinder cone volcanoes.

Volcanoes Day Use Area

Explore cinder cone volcanoes (no petroglyphs). Parking lot hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Petroglyph of a bird on a dark boulder in a volcanic landscape.

South Point Day Use Area

Hike 2 miles to see 100 petroglyphs. Open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

A trail surrounded by cables through a sandy volcanic landscape.

Escarpment Trail

Hike a one-mile trail from the Information Center entrance gate to Rinconada Canyon. Open sunrise to sunset.

Last updated: May 6, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Headquarters Administration Offices
6001 Unser Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120

Phone:

505 899-0205
Educators who want to schedule an education program or field trip for students, call 505-238-1875.

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