Boca Negra

Day Use Area

Open 8:30 am - 4:30 pm daily. Last entry at 4:00 pm is strictly enforced.

This unit of Petroglyph National Monument is owned, staffed, and managed by the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division.

Located off of Unser Boulevard, ¼ mile north of Montaño Road, this canyon provides quick and easy access to three self-guided trails, (Mesa Point, Macaw, and Cliff Base) where you can view approximately 100 petroglyphs. Combined walking time is approximately 1 hour. Although each trail is very short, they vary in difficulty as follows: Mesa Point - strenuous, Macaw - moderate, Cliff Base - moderate.

Street Address: 6900 Atrisco Dr. NW Albuquerque, NM 87120
GPS Lat: 35.161 GPS Long: -106.719

Additional Information

 

This petroglyph of a macaw can be seen along the Macaw Trail at Boca Negra Canyon.

NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit

 

Map of Boca Negra Canyon. You can hike three short trails at this location. They are the Mesa Point Trail (30 minutes), Macaw Trail (5 minutes), and Cliff Base Trail (15 minutes).

This is the monument's only fully developed area. Restroom facilities, shade, and a drinking fountain are provided for your convenience. An wheel chair accessible view scope is available on the patio adjacent to the restroom facility.

Boca Negra Canyon is a 70 acre section of the 7,236 acres within the monument boundaries. Approximately 100 petroglyphs can be viewed within an hour of walking. The three trails offer a diverse view of the cultural and natural landscape within the monument.