Petroglyph National Monument

This Parks Visit article, was posted by Travis K.
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Petroglyph National Monument, Located in the

State of New Mexico

Petroglyph National Monument is the 88th park I have visited. Despite traveling to the state of New Mexico and the city of Albuquerque many times, I hadn’t visited this remarkable place.

For those not familiar with the National Monument, there are no trails at the information center. Of the 3 sites that make up Petroglyph National Monument, I explored the petroglyph trail at Piedras Marcadas Canyon. The decision to visit Piedras Marcadas Canyon was based on a ranger’s advice at the information center. The other two locations are Boca Negra Canyon and Rinconada Canyon. I will visit those two locations on another trip.

Trails at Petroglyph National Monument

Boca Negra Canyo n is the only fully developed site of the three trails. Amenities include restroom facilities, shade, and a drinking fountain. Boca Negra is a 70-acre section of the monument and features 100 petroglyphs. It’s suggested that visitors are able to enjoy the experience within an hour.

Rinconada Canyo n is described as an easy-to-moderate trail. Up to 300 petroglyphs can be seen on the 1.1-mile trail to the back of the canyon. To see and capture quality images of the prehistoric and historic petroglyphs, bring binoculars and a telephoto lens. Also, bring water with you and other necessary gear, and watch out for rattlesnakes.

Piedras Marcadas Canyo n is an easy-to-moderate trail. This trail features as many as 400 petroglyphs visible on an unpaved 1.4-mile hike (1.8-mile round-trip). The petroglyphs distance from the trail varies, and I do recommend bringing binoculars and a telephoto lens. I used a 24mm–180mm lens to photograph the petroglyphs. However, some exceeded the distance I was able to zoom in. Since I have yet to hike the other two trails, I am not able to compare this trail to the others. However, this trail was based on a ranger’s advice.

Geology and History of Petroglyph National Monument

The geology of the area shows the remnants of volcanic eruptions from 200,000 years ago. The erupting volcanoes produced a 17-mile-long cliff of basalt rock containing high levels of iron, manganese, and calcium. Over thousands of years of exposure to harsh desert conditions, a “desert varnish” develops on the rock surface. This varnish comes from the oxidation, or rusting, of manganese and iron when they mix with the oxygen in the air and water from rain, giving it a dark, almost black, and shiny look.

The date of the first petroglyphs is uncertain. Some estimates suggest they date back as far as 2000 BCE, and perhaps even further. The people who created this rock were nomadic hunters and gathering people. As indigenous people began to settle the Rio Grande Valley around 500 CE, the process of creating rock carvings increased.

It is believed that the majority of the petroglyphs were created following 1300 CE, with the establishment of large communal dwellings. These people are considered to be the ancestors of today’s Puebloan people. They continued to make rock art through the late 1680s.

Other rock carvings date back to the 1700s, made by Spanish settlers. Unfortunately, today, additional carvings are being added by vandals visiting the park.

More Information for Your Petroglyph National Monument Visit

If you found this article interesting, explore my other visits to state parks or national parks in New Mexico. You can also discover more articles on Indigenous People of the Southwest, Indigenous Peoples of North America, pe troglyphs.

For more information about Petroglyph National Monument, its days and hours of operation, as well as fees, visit nps.gov. Also, visit newmexico.org for other information that might improve your Petroglyph National Monument visit.