Explore in Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyphs, intricate and sacred rock carvings done with a chisel and hammerstone between 400 and 700 years ago by Native Americans and Spanish settlers. Nearly 25,000 of these carvings, 90% of which are thought to have been created by Ancestral Pueblo people, are protected by the Petroglyph National Monument. Even though it's unclear what many of these petroglyphs actually symbolize, they are an essential part of New Mexico's spiritual and cultural environment.

The monument features three petroglyph viewing locations with hiking routes of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. With bathrooms and a drinking fountain, Boca Negra Canyon is the only fully constructed section in the park and a particularly well-liked tourist destination. Although Boca Negra has more amenities, the other two viewing spots, Rinconada Canyon and Piedras Marcadas Canyon, are equally as stunning. While visiting, bear in mind that the monument is home to western diamondback and prairie rattlesnakes, so keep a look out for them.

Address: Unser Blvd. NW at Western Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87120

Website: https://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm

Phone: +1 505-899-0205

Google rating: 4.6/5.