Petroglyph National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: New Mexico
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
Altitude approx. 5000 ft. Usually sunny and dry, with low relative humidity. Winter temperatures range from 40 to 50 degrees F. Summer temperatures range from 88-99 degrees F. 278 days of sunshine per year. Spring can be windy with 20 to 30 mph sustained winds which can produce periods of blowing sand and dust. For current weather forecast, Google Albuquerque weather.
🚗 Directions
GPS: Lat: 35.139 Long: -106.711 From Interstate 40, take the Unser Blvd. exit (#154) proceed north 3 miles to Western Trail. Turn left or west onto Western Trail and follow road to the Visitor Information Center parking lot. From Interstate 25, take the Paseo del Norte exit (#232) and proceed west to Coors Road exit south (must be in center lane to veer left at the Y). Proceed south on Coors Road to Western Trail. Turn right or west onto Western Trail and follow road to the Visitor Info Center parking lot.
Images
Handprints and other petroglyphs on boulders at Piedras Marcadas.
Credit: NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit
A petroglyph of a hawk at Mesa Prieta. It can be visited from the South Point trailhead.
Credit: NPS Photo
Petroglyph of a small mammal along the Mesa Point Trail in Boca Negra Canyon.
Credit: NPS Photo
Petroglyph of a macaw parrot along the Macaw Trail in Boca Negra Canyon.
Credit: NPS Photo
Petroglyph imagery of a coyote and rattlesnake in Rinconada Canyon.
Credit: NPS Photo
Petroglyph panel of sheep grazing in Rinconada Canyon.
Credit: NPS Photo
Winter scene of snow covered cinder cones at the Volcanoes Day Use Area.
Credit: NPS Photo
These petroglyphs could possibly depict a coyote and a rattlesnake, two of the more commonly seen animals at the monument.
Credit: NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit
A petroglyph of a bird at Rinconada Canyon.
Credit: NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit
Petroglyphs of a bird and a footprint at Piedras Marcadas Canyon.
Credit: NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Saturday, Apr 18
Sunny
High: 63°F | Low: 39.7°F
Humidity: 12%
Wind: 15.4 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2.1
Sunrise: 06:31 AM
Sunset: 07:43 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 33.7°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Apr 19
Sunny
High: 69.5°F | Low: 45.8°F
Humidity: 21%
Wind: 12.8 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2.2
Sunrise: 06:30 AM
Sunset: 07:44 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (3%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 42°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Apr 20
Sunny
High: 73.4°F | Low: 52°F
Humidity: 26%
Wind: 11.6 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2.3
Sunrise: 06:28 AM
Sunset: 07:44 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (9%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 48.3°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 6:07PM MDT until April 18 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Effective: Apr 17, 2026 8:07pm
Expires: Apr 18, 2026 5:00am
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures between 22 and 28 expected, except
in the mid 30s in Albuquerque's Northeast Heights.
* WHERE...Middle Rio Grande Valley including the Albuquerque Metro
Area, Northwest Plateau, Espanola Valley, Santa Fe Metro Area,
Estancia Valley, South Central Highlands, Guadalupe County, and San
Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands.
* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 9 AM MDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing.
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 12:30AM MDT until April 18 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Effective: Apr 18, 2026 2:30am
Expires: Apr 18, 2026 11:00am
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures between 22 and 28 expected, except
in the mid 30s in Albuquerque's Northeast Heights.
* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central,
northeast, and northwest New Mexico.
* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT this morning.
* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Guided Hik: Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Join us for a hike at Piedras Marcadas Canyon! These weekly hikes focus on the history, the geology, and the petroglyphs along this 1.9 mile hike. Binoculars are recommended. Bring water, sunscreen, warm layers, and comfortable shoes for a flat, sandy hike. Hikes will be led by park volunteer Joseph Wiexelman, PhD.
Location: The Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trailhead is located at 9501 Golf Course Rd NW in Albuquerque, NM.
Date: Jan 8, 2026 12:00am to Jan 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Tour: Rinconada Canyon
This volunteer-led hike will take you on the 2.2 mile loop-trail into Rinconada Canyon, where you will learn about the history of the area - from the geology that shaped it to the Ancestral Puebloans and Spaniards that left their marks behind to the formation of the monument as the city grew up around it. Over 300 petroglyphs can be seen on this trail!
This hike is mostly level through sandy desert conditions - make sure you bring lots of water and good hiking shoes as well as sunscreen and other sun protection.
Location: Rinconada Canyon trailhead
Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Hike: Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Join us for a hike at Piedras Marcadas Canyon! These weekly hikes focus on the history, the geology, and the petroglyphs along this 1.9 mile hike. Binoculars are recommended. Bring water, sunscreen, warm layers, and comfortable shoes for a flat, sandy hike. Hikes will be led by park volunteer Joseph Wiexelman, PhD.
Location: Located at the Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trailhead at 9501 Golf Course Road NW in Albuqurque, NM.
Date: Feb 12, 2026 12:00am to Feb 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Hike: Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Join us for a hike at Piedras Marcadas Canyon! These weekly hikes focus on the history, the geology, and the petroglyphs along this 1.9 mile hike. Binoculars are recommended. Bring water, sunscreen, warm layers, and comfortable shoes for a flat, sandy hike. Hikes will be led by park volunteer Joseph Wiexelman, PhD.
Location: The hike starts at the Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trailhead at 9501 Golf Course Rd. NW in Albuquerque, NM.
Date: Feb 12, 2026 12:00am to Feb 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Hike: Rinconada Canyon
Date: Feb 14, 2026 12:00am to Feb 14, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Birds of Rinconada Canyon Guided Hike
Location: Rinconada Canyon Trailhead
Date: Feb 15, 2026 12:00am to Feb 15, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Hike: Rinconada Canyon
Location: Rinconada Canyon trailhead is located at the intersection of Unser Blvd NW and St. Joseph's Ave NW in Albuquerque.
Date: Mar 7, 2026 12:00am to Mar 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Hike: Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Join us for a hike at Piedras Marcadas Canyon! These weekly hikes focus on the history, the geology, and the petroglyphs along this 1.9 mile hike. Binoculars are recommended. Bring water, sunscreen, warm layers, and comfortable shoes for a flat, sandy hike. Hikes will be led by park volunteer Joseph Wiexelman, PhD.
Location: The parking lot for Piedras Marcadas Canyon is located at 9421 Jill Patricia St NW in Albuquerque.
Date: Mar 12, 2026 12:00am to Mar 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Boca Negra Canyon Site Visit
The site visit at Boca Negra Canyon will discuss the proposed enhancements to the visitor facilities in the area. The visit will start at the RV/Bus parking lot and walk through the site to look at existing facilities and trails and discuss future opportunities for improvements. For those with mobility limitations, there will be an option to drive around the site and talk with staff stationed at each parking lot.
Location: Boca Negra Canyon RV/Bus parking lot
Date: Mar 28, 2026 12:00am to Mar 28, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Boca Negra Canyon Public Meeting
Petroglyph National Monument invites the public to share input on proposed visitor enhancements and facility improvements in the Boca Negra Canyon and Lava Shadows areas of the monument.
The proposal is a collaboration with the City of Albuquerque and tribal partners to improve visitor services and experiences at Petroglyph National Monument. The phased proposals would address several longstanding challenges, such as resource protection, limited parking, outdated facilities and the need for improved trail conditions.
The monument and City of Albuquerque hope to:
· Enhance visitor experiences by improving wayfinding, interpretation and a accessibility.
· Protect cultural resources, including petroglyphs, archaeological sites and traditional c cultural landscapes.
· Address infrastructure needs such as parking, trails, fencing and visitor amenities.
· Reduce visitor impacts on sensitive areas by managing social trails and off-trail
access.
Location: Don Newton Taylor Ranch Community Center 4900 Kachina St. NW Albuquerque, NM 87120
Date: Mar 30, 2026 12:00am to Mar 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
Visitor Information Center
Unser Blvd. NW at Western Trail
Albuquerque, NM 87120
🏤 Mailing Address:
Headquarters Administration Offices
6001 Unser Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120
📞 Voice Phone: 5058990205
📞 Fax Phone: 5058990207
✉️ Email: petr_interpretation@nps.gov