Petroglyph National Monument Pictures
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AftT #ParkPics posts are short, informative posts to get you acquainted with one of America's National Parks. For a complete list of U.S. National Parks, click here.

Petroglyph National Monument in Pictures

Just on the outskirts of Albuquerque, New Mexico, lies one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. Petroglyph National Monument protects a history of human record – from native Pueblo ancestors to Spanish settlers between 400 and 700 years ago.

Petroglyph National Monument Sunrise
Sunrise in the Sandias
Petroglyph National Monument Photos
Petroglyphs along the Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trail

We explored the Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trail at sunrise during our visit, and the views were amazing. There are lots of petroglyphs to see along the way, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see some wildlife as well.

Petroglyph National Monument Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Desert flowers

Petroglyph National Monument Sunrise

Things to see and do in Petroglyph National Monument

  • Hike one of the three canyon trails to view some petroglyphs – Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon, or Piedras Marcadas Canyon
  • Go for a bike ride in Boca Negra Canyon
  • Stop by the Visitor Center
  • Enjoy sunrise in the Sandias
  • Have a picnic
  • Photography
  • Hike around the cinder cones of Volcanoes Day Use Area

Petroglyph National Monument HoursSunrise pictures at Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument has the following hours and is open every day.
Visitor Center: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day)
Park District – Boca Negra Canyon: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Park District – Rinconada Canyon: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Park District – Piedras Marcadas Canyon: Sunrise to Sunset
Park District – Volcanoes Day Use Area: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Visiting New Mexico? Check out all of the incredible National Park sites in New Mexico here.

Directions to Petroglyph National MonumentPetroglyph National Monument Pictuers

Petroglyph National Monument is actually several parks, so you’ll want to decide which parts of the monument you want to visit. The Visitor Center does not have any petroglyphs or trails that lead to petroglyphs from there, so plan accordingly.

Petroglyph National Monument Park StatsPetroglyphs in Petroglyph National Monument

Date created: 1990
Annual Visitors: 364,211 in 2021
Fun Fact: Scholars believe that Petroglyph National Monument served as a sort of waypoint for ancient Puebloan travelers to communicate with each other, rest, and socialize. It’s also one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America.

Visitor Centers and Passport Stamps

Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center
Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center

The Visitor Center address is 6001 Unser Blvd. NW
Albuquerque , NM 87120

GPS Coordinates for the Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center: Latitude: 35.139 Longitude: -106.711

From here, grab a map of the park or shop at the Western National Park Association store.

AftT Tip: There are no trails directly at the Visitor Center, so plan on taking a short drive to one of the trailheads to view petroglyphs.

Other Nearby Parks

New Mexico National Parks

Arizona National Parks

Colorado National ParksMesa Verde National Park Colorado

  • Mesa Verde National Park
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park

Have you visited Petroglyph National Monument?

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