Petroglyph National Monument is a wondrous site that can be found along the West Mesa of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The national monument stretches 17 miles and five volcanic cones can be found within its borders. But these volcanic cones aren’t even the best part. The monument also has hundreds of archeological sites with over 20,000 images and petroglyphs carved into the rocks by Ancestral Pueblo people and Spanish settlers. Take an adventure to the Petroglyph National Monument to see these amazing sites!

There are four major areas to see petroglyphs in the national monument: Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon, Piedras Marcadas Canyon, and Volcanoes Day Use Area. Plan your day to see all three sites with each site featuring hikes between 1 and 2.2 miles to the petroglyphs.
Ryan Tidwell via Google Local
The petroglyphs feature animals, people, designs, and other images. Spend some time looking at the detail of each design and look for patterns that exist in different areas of the park.
Rosa Lopez via Google Local
Besides these amazing petroglyphs, Petroglyph National Monument also boasts some incredible sunrises and sunsets.
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Be sure to stay on the paths and don't touch the petroglyphs. Many of these petroglyphs were carved between 1300 and the 1680s, and are very important historical sites.
Amalesh Murali via Google Local
Some of the petroglyphs are even older, with scientists estimating a few petroglyphs to be 3,000 years old.
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The volcanic landscape is another very cool part of Petroglyph National Monument. Caves formed over thousands of years and can still be found in the area today.
Rob Grooms via Google Local

Petroglyph National Monument truly is an adventure into the past. There are very few places where you can see such historic sites so well preserved, and these places are incredibly important to preserve the cultures from North America’s ancestral peoples. Before you go, be sure to confirm that the monument is open by visiting the National Park Service.

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Petroglyph National Monument, Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, USA