How to Plan Your Perfect Trip to Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument—One of the Country’s Most Extensive Petroglyph Sites 

The rocks at Petroglyph National Monument record both geological and human history. The basalt rocks and dormant fissure volcanoes on the park’s western boundary are records of the eruptions which occurred more than 100 thousand years ago that formed the West Mesa. Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the most extensive petroglyph sites  in North America. It is estimated that ancestral Puebloans made 90 percent of the petroglyphs in the area, and this place still is culturally significant to many Indigenous peoples today.

When to Visit Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument is best visited during spring and fall, when the temperature is milder with highs anywhere between 50–80°F, although lows can still get into the 30s. In addition to being a great place to enjoy cool fall temperatures in the desert, you may also want to plan your trip to Petroglyph during this time to enjoy the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in early October. Always check the weather conditions before your trip and dress in layers to prepare for temperature changes throughout the day.

If you want to avoid crowds or visit on a hot day, visit Piedras Marcadas Canyon…

This is the least developed area with no restrooms and it is further north than the rest of the monument by 10 minutes. The Petroglyph Trail in Piedras Marcadas Canyon is a 1.8-mile-roundtrip hike that will take visitors past over four hundred petroglyphs. Add on the North Rim Trail for stunning views and a combined trail length of 2.5-miles. This area has the longest open- hours as well from sunrise to sunset, making it the best-suited area for evening hikes on hot summer days. Leashed pets are allowed. 

If you have a full day or want a longer trail with petroglyphs or to see various desert environments, visit Rinconada Canyon…

There are up to three hundred petroglyphs visible on this 2.2-mile trail, which crosses sand dunes before bringing you to a volcanic escarpment full of desert life. Open hours are from 8AM– 5PM. Leashed pets are allowed, but only on the section of this trail without petroglyphs through the center of the canyon.

Petroglyphs: A Cultural Record in Stone

While some of the 20 thousand  petroglyphs at the monument date back to over three thousand years ago, the majority were made after 1300 CE by the ancestral Puebloans. These peoples carved into the porous rock with a chisel and hammer, exposing the lighter layers of rock underneath the desert varnish. The petroglyphs depict both recognizable animal and human figures as well as more abstract symbols. Some have spiritual meanings, while others are more personal and may have only been readable to the creator or a select few individuals. There were also shrines built here, further illustrating the area’s spiritual importance. 

Puebloans continued carving petroglyphs in this location  until 1692 when the Spanish, who the Puebloan people had revolted against and driven away, recolonized the area. Their return  forced traditional practices underground and ended most public image making, including petroglyphs. Other petroglyphs were made in the 1700s or later primarily by Spanish colonizers and other Indigenous peoples who also hold the land to be sacred, including the Navajo and Apache.

The volcanoes of the West Mesa continue to hold  cultural and spiritual significance to contemporary Puebloan peoples. Sandian Puebloans believe that volcanic areas are more closely connected to the afterlife and spirit world. 

Know Before You Go

Keep the following in mind when planning your visit to Petroglyph National Monument so that you can make the most of your experience while there.

• Stay on the trails and do not climb or scramble on rocks, to protect the petroglyphs and avoid erosion.
• Do not touch petroglyphs, as body oils can damage them.
• Take only memories with you and do not remove rocks, plants, or resources of any kind.
• If you bring your pet, be sure to clean up after them. Bring doggy bags to do so.
• If visiting during the summer, hike during early mornings or evenings to avoid the scorching sun and high temperatures.
• Carry and drink plenty of water. The National Park Service recommends drinking a gallon of water a day during the hotter months.
• Wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the intense desert sun.
• Do not touch or approach wildlife and be sure to show respect to the animals that live here.
• Be aware that venomous animals live in the monument. Scorpion stings are usually mild, but anyone bitten by a black widow spider or rattlesnake should immediately seek medical attention.
• Be aware when facilities will be open. The visitor center is open daily from 8:30AM–4:30PM with brochures and trail maps and the Park Store is open daily from 9AM–4PM.
• There are no trails in the visitor center area, so be prepared to get back in your car and drive to a trail in order to see petroglyphs. If taking a rideshare, have them drop you off at a trailhead.
• Desert storms can quickly turn into flash floods, so you should never try to cross a wash of running water. Return to your vehicle if lightning is present. It’s also always a good idea to pack what you need to be prepared—and make sure that you have everything you need to create great memories of your trip.