Petroglyph National Monument
NM

Petroglyph National Monument

Hours

Open daily · 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Entrance Fee

Free

Trailie

Trailie

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Petroglyph at a glance

Best time
March–May, October–November
Trip length
1–2 days
Don't miss
Boca Negra Canyon
Nearby city
Albuquerque, NM

Explore this park

About Petroglyph National Monument

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.

3 current NPS alerts

  • Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
  • Information: Attention Visitors, Cab drivers, Uber drivers, and transportation service drivers
  • Information: Bicycle Use In The Monument

Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 1, 2026). Official Petroglyph National Monument page on nps.gov

Weather Information

Altitude approx. 5000 ft. Usually sunny and dry, with low relative humidity.

  • Spring

    can be windy with 20 to 30 mph sustained winds which can produce periods of blowing sand and dust.

  • Summer

    88°F – 99°F

  • Winter

    40°F – 50°F

278 days of sunshine per year. For forecast, Google Albuquerque weather.

Operating Hours

Boca Negra Canyon

Staffed by our partner, the City of Albuquerque Open Space, this developed trail system consists of 3 short, paved trails with trail markers. Full-service restroom facility, picnic tables, shaded seating areas and a shaded patio area. See up to 100 petroglyphs in one hour if you walk all 3 trails. Last entry is at 4:00 pm daily and all visitors are swept out at 4:30 pm sharp. Pets not allowed on the petroglyph viewing trails. Trails are not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.

  • Monday8:30AM - 4:30PM
  • Tuesday8:30AM - 4:30PM
  • Wednesday8:30AM - 4:30PM
  • Thursday8:30AM - 4:30PM
  • Friday8:30AM - 4:30PM
  • Saturday8:30AM - 4:30PM
  • Sunday8:30AM - 4:30PM

Rinconada Canyon

Water is not available. A 2.2-mile round trip trail where up to 300 petroglyphs can be viewed, especially in the back of the canyon. The natural earth surface trail is easy to moderate to walk. Picnic tables are located in the parking lot. A vault toilet is available. Open for hiking on holidays. Parking lot hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily. Access: Sunrise to sunset by parking in outer lot (3 spaces). Lock your vehicle, secure your valuables, do not leave any items visible. Leashed pets okay, must pick up poop.

  • MondaySunrise to Sunset
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  • SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
  • SundaySunrise to Sunset

Piedras Marcadas Canyon

Nestled in the northernmost tip of the monument, this undeveloped trail system is a 6.5-mile drive from the information center. The petroglyph viewing trail is 1.5 miles in and out. No water, no restroom, no amenities available. See up to 400 petroglyphs. Leashed pets allowed, pick-up waste & put in trash can. The non-gated parking lot is located off Golf Course Rd. at Jill Patricia St. (behind the Valvoline Motor Oil station, use Google maps). Stop by the information center for a free trail guide.

  • MondaySunrise to Sunset
  • TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
  • WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
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  • SundaySunrise to Sunset

Volcanoes Day Use Area

No petroglyph viewing available. Parking lot hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily. Access: Sunrise to sunset. 1 to 4 miles of hiking trails lead you to the scenic overlook or around the bases of the cinder cones. Hiking to the tops of cones is prohibited. No water available. Vault restroom, benches, and trash cans available. Leashed pets allowed. Owners must pick-up waste & place in trash can. Parking lot is located off Atrisco Vista Blvd. (exit #149) about 4.7 miles north of I-40. Pick up a trail map at Info Center.

  • MondaySunrise to Sunset
  • TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
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  • SundaySunrise to Sunset

Common questions

Planning Petroglyph National Monument

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.

Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Petroglyph. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.