Definitely a must see. Plan on spending at least 2 hours here. They have several areas with easy to difficult trails. There are thousands of petroglyphs carved into basalt rocks on these trails and wonderful views from the top. We visited late March and it was already fairly warm so I highly recommend sunblock, comfortable closed toe shoes and a bottle of water.

It was cool view and it was really hot, but that’s New Mexico especially in the summer. National park service worker was really helpful with guiding my boyfriend and I to the monuments. Only went to one that was closest to the visitor center. It was an easy hike up but at the top it’s a bit steep. It was cool to see them and get a glimpse of history. I would recommend this monument!

When you arrive at the visitors center, you are given a map and a video is showing to give you background on the locations. There are three locations; all a few miles drive from the visitors center. We chose the first canyon due to time constraints. It was the most strenuous of the three according to the brochures. And a $1 parking fee. We climbed our way to the top on rugged paths. Not for flip flops for sure. Gravel paths with steep inclines, steps, and some places you have to step over large rocks. But worth the view at the top and the amazing petroglyphs along the way! We spent about 2 hours and only saw a fraction of the vast canyon. Definitely recommend!

It’s a free very relevant historic landmark. You will receive messages from our ancestors. Amazing indeed. There are also very helpful guides and they’ll give you maps and directions for free. If you are in the area, it’s a must. In a few hours you can get an amazing idea of how things were hundreds of years ago. We also saw roadrunners, lizards and rattle snakes.

Visitors center was just a booth. The worker at the gift shop was making sure to follow CDC guidelines to keep a small enough number of people inside. Toilet vaults were less than ideal. Wonderful experience overall though!

Really cool time travel experience. Stop by the visitor center because there are multiple areas you can drive to and hike. Great experience to walk thru history and imagine what it was like.

Very nice trail to go for a hike/walk. However, there are no trees thus no shade (besides a couple of shade structures), so plan accordingly. Initial leg of the trail is pretty smooth gravel trail (probably wheelchair accessible), but later parts (including going up the volcano) has some rough spots, nothing terrible, but watch your footing.

I had the opportunity to visit Petroglyph National Monument during the first week of October 2021 while I was in Albuquerque for the hot air balloon festival. I chose the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail to visit because it is only 1 1/2 miles long and was supposed to have 400 petroglyphs. It turned out to be the correct choice. The Piedras Marcadas Canyon abuts a residential neighborhood. The trail is not too difficult but good exercise and there is plenty to see. I saw and photographed many of the petroglyphs. I wish I understood what they represented but many were obviously animals and people. Was this truly a communication tool or the graffiti of the time? The other interesting thing is that one will quickly realize that the rocks of the area are volcanic in origin. That only makes it more interesting. I never knew that the southwestern U.S., Arizona and New Mexico, was a mix of red sandstone and extinct volcanos with some large lava fields and cinder cones for miles. When I arrived at the end of the canyon, I realized that I could climb to the top of the ridge and walk around rim of the canyon back toward the beginning of the trail. Of course I climbed to the rim and walked around. All and all, it was a nice hike but remember to wear a hat, wear appropriate footwear (not flip flops or sandals), wear sunblock if it is very hot out and bring water and a snack. Make sure to also pay attention to the insects and lizards of the area. I think that this is important to see because many of us think that there was little on what we now know at the United States of America. There were obviously people there because scientists have dated many of the petroglyphs from the 12th through the 17th centuries but some may date back to 2000 BC according to the National Park Service. If you happen to be in Albuquerque, make time to see this historical site and appreciate the pre-European history of this country. And this is a freebie unlike many of the national parks and monuments.

We hiked the Petroglyph National park trail. Trail is sand and an easy hike. We enjoyed the hike. We were ointed because the Petroglyphs we're roped off so we were not allowed to get us close to them. We did take pictures and water able to zoom in on them but it would of been nice to get up close to them. The weather was great. It was sunny and not hot. The trail is great for an easy hike for kids and dogs on a leash. I doubt you could take stroller because it is sandy.

The video shown at the visitor center was very interesting and informative. The park staffs were very knowledgeable and friendly. The petroglyph signs were from several thousands ago. I couldn’t understand what they meant for sure, but I believe they intended to tell us about water, birds and weather for our better lives in future. Very much felt grateful!

Perfect little day hike to see some cool national history. Very sandy, so wear your hiking boots and not your nice tennis shoes! Dogs are welcome on a leash. The petroglyphs are more towards the backside of the hill range. It's a little over a mile if you walk all the way around the trail. Restrooms at the trail head and plenty of parking. All free of charge.

Neat place to stop by. Visitor center is not the the actual entrance to see the rock carvings . You have to drive 5min away and there's a $2 parking fee. Quick hike...interesting stuff to look at.

Very interesting but you really need to take the time to understand why this is important to know about. Make sure you either don't take your dog or at least have some shoes for them.

Incredible! So amazing to see all the petroglyphs in the lava rocks! Felt like time melting, being able to see these ancestral drawings. . It was heartbreaking tho to witness destruction from people carving their names and dirty drawings. Please honor these Sacred places if you go!

On our way to the airport. We were looking for an interesting place to visit before we leave Albuquerque and this was a perfect place for this. Very interesting. Easy to reach, we visited and walked around in about an hour.

Petroglyph National Monument has many amazing trails to explore. The visitors center has information on the petroglyphs, geology, and hiking trails. This is an incredible monument to visit! Don't forget to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.

Great outdoor hiking! Lovely Albuquerque day! Some trails closed off. Fantastic views!

Very cool place! Short hiking trails and lots of peyroglyphs to see. We went to two different locations. It was free and the trails were pretty easy.

We did the Boca Negra Canyon. Just because it's the shorter hike, doesn't mean it's easy, so keep that in mind. Really cool to see the petroglyphs but so heartbreaking to see the vandalism surrounding it.

My visit to Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico was a remarkable journey into the ancient and mysterious past. This site, with its collection of thousands of petroglyphs etched into volcanic rocks, is a true archaeological treasure. Walking through the monument, I was immediately struck by the sense of history that envelops this place. The petroglyphs, created by Native American and Spanish settlers centuries ago, offer a unique window into the spiritual and cultural beliefs of those who lived here long before us. The symbols, animals, and abstract figures tell stories that evoke a deep sense of reverence for the land and its people. The trails and pathways are well-maintained and offer a moderate level of hiking, making it accessible to visitors of all ages. The landscape, with its striking desert scenery and views of the Sandia Mountains, adds to the overall enchantment of the site. What I particularly appreciated about Petroglyph National Monument was the respect and care given to preserving this invaluable historical site. Signs and markers guide visitors while educating them about the importance of preserving the petroglyphs for future generations. It's a delicate balance between making this incredible cultural heritage accessible and protecting it, and the monument manages this balance admirably. Overall, Petroglyph National Monument is a place where history, nature, and cultural appreciation converge. It's a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich and captivating history of the American Southwest. My visit left me with a profound sense of wonder and a deep appreciation for the preservation of our collective heritage.

We went to the hike near Golf Course rd and Paradise. Dog friendly. Short loop hike hood for kids too. Sandy trail. Many petroglyphs to spot.

Worth a visit if you’re in the area. They have a few short trails where you can spot several petroglyphs. We hit it up early on a late July summer day and it was pleasant. Spotted a rattlesnake which was a bonus and super exciting. Several millipedes under the rocks and trails.

Nice place for hiking 🚶‍♂️and there are 2 petroglyph trails that are dog 🐕 friendly 😀

Seeing the petroglyphs takes a fair bit of effort walking - you have three options each ranging from approximately 1-3 miles taking anywhere from an hour to three. We chose the Piedras Marcadas Canyon which was about 1.5 miles and took about an hour and a half. We wished there was more context to what we were seeing and why these symbols were made. Apparently that is all hush hush and not something is us mere mortals are supposed to know. Having more context would have made the experience far more interesting.

Love seeing all the petroglyphs at the Monument. Some are more obvious than others. I find a slightly cloudy day helps to reduce the glare from the sun to make it easier to see and take pictures. There were lots of parking spots at each unit of the Monument maybe because it's weekdays.

An interesting place. While you can definitely find a sense of peace and place in this park, several hiring trails are adjacent to housing complexes! It makes for interesting juxtaposition of an ancient indigenous site and contemporary living.

Incredible history and even more amazing is that it's so accessible. Just a short drive away from Albuquerque's center and you can walk straight up to these unique etchings and beautiful scenery.

We hiked Rinconada Canyon. It was 2.5 miles rounds trip. For those who want a shorter trip, hike in and when you get to the bench turnaround and exit the same way you came in. Some of the pictographs where hard to find but that is part of the fun!

Nice to explore. Awesome. Depending upon how much time you have. Start with watching 20 min video at visitor Center. Boca Negra canyon small trail 15/20 pictures , Rinconada and Piedras marcadas trails have more number of pictures. Like they say Every stone is live and keeper of messages. Telling stories. Be careful and stay away from rattle sneak.

This is a nice visit, I did this on a Spring day in April because there is absolutely no shade at the top on the 3 mile round trip trail to the top of the volcano. There are many petroglyphs that are visible. The contrast between the black basaltic rocks and the grass is quite remarkable.

We didn't have enough time to go through all the trails at Boca Negra Canyon. It's fascinating to learn about the history of Pueblos and how petroglyphs were used to communicate. Make sure to bring sunscreen and water even if you plan to visit early May.