Rinconada Canyon Trail image

Rinconada Canyon Trail

Tourist attraction Hiking area

👍 I loved checking out the petroglyps, easy hike and only about 2.2 miles. I visited this place just before the balloon fiesta so I am not from the area. I highly advice anyone that is not from here to make sure you take all valuables out of your car don't leave nothing visible for people to take. Car... People often mention trail, petroglyphs, hike,


Address

7601 St Josephs Ave, Albuquerque, NM 87120

Website

www.nps.gov

Contact

(505) 899-0205

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (404 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: trail (23) petroglyphs (14) hike (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Thomas L. 2 years ago on Google
    I loved checking out the petroglyps, easy hike and only about 2.2 miles. I visited this place just before the balloon fiesta so I am not from the area. I highly advice anyone that is not from here to make sure you take all valuables out of your car don't leave nothing visible for people to take. Car break ins are very common in Albuquerque from what I understand and I was very fortunate it don't not happen to me. 3 vehicles had actually been broke into when I returned back to the parking area one of which was parked right next to me!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rachel H. 2 years ago on Google
    Really great trail that took us an hour. The path is pretty level throughout and sandy which adds a different resistance to your hike. Beautiful canyon view with a 360 degree view of mountainous land. You really do see so many petroglyphs on this trail. Don’t give up looking if you don’t see the first few as I read on a plaque that the harsh morning light came make some of them difficult to see. As you get about halfway on the trail you’ll see the most concentrated area of rock drawings. As someone who lives on the east coast, this is truly an amazing treasure as these just seemed like things that are only in text books and museums. Hard to believe it’s right in Albuquerque. It was only a 15 minute drive from Nob Hill. There was a sign about rattle snakes, we did see a few and just kept moving. It’s an open space with no shade so definitely wear a hat and sunscreen and bring plenty of water.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Arthur de W. 2 years ago on Google
    2.2-mile trail with no shade. The first half along the volcanic boulders is on loose sand. The second half is on hard packed dirt and away from the petroglyphs. I appreciate that this site has an important cultural significance, but we were a little underwhelmed by the small petroglyphs. We were probably spoiled as we had just come from Utah where we visited Newspaper Rock and Parowan Gap; two sites with large complex petroglyphs that tell a story. Being that this is an entire National Monument about petroglyphs we were expecting something similar, but the petroglyphs on the black boulders along the path are very small and most of them are faint and hard to see. The signage could also be improved. It was still a pleasant walk.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christoph R. 1 year ago on Google
    Super trail! Takes you a total of 2.2 miles and about 1-2 hours to get around the loop depending on how long you are looking for the petroglyphs!! We saw many, just need to stop and enjoy the view! We had many, many, centipedes? that were on the trail at the time! Not a bad elevation change as well so it was super enjoyable for the entire family! Would highly recommend!!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lizz C. 1 year ago on Google
    My parents said the petroglyphs could have been marked better. I had fun finding them.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ja n. 10 months ago on Google
    Trail is sandy and has no shade. However, it offers a unique experience :)
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Michał P. 1 year ago on Google
    Semi flat trail in a small canyon, good for a walk. Whole loop takes about 30-45min. There is a lot of parking spots. It gets closed at 5pm.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David C. 2 years ago on Google
    Decent parking (was warned about car break-ins so may as well pass it on), great loop (gps watch told me about 2.2mi), great views of the Sandia Mountains and ABQ
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 sue R. 4 years ago on Google
    A fairly easy hike circles around coming back on itself. 2.6 miles total. Full exposure to elements, so benches along the way might have been nice. Bathroom and bench at beginning of trail. Petroglyphs are visible along the way if sun is not too bright. Take water! Not for wheelchairs or bikes.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Artem M. 5 months ago on Google
    Easy 2mi hike and very interesting to observe and read the history signs along the way. Trail is mostly sand type. About half the way into the trail there is a bench to rest on. Breathtaking views of historic boulders. Conveniently public bathroom available.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Deb C. 3 years ago on Google
    Great hike with kids. Not hilly at all. When you first start walking you don’t see too many Petroglyphs. If you do they are far away. But as you head back you will see so many. Our kids loved looking at them and trying to guess what they were. Some were obvious some were not. Not a hike for strollers since there is lots of sand. Closes at 4:30 and parking lot closes at 5pm.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jack A. 3 years ago on Google
    We hiked the loop trail early one morning. We spotted a coyote, several jackrabbits, and only one other person. Take a telephoto lens to get the best shots of the many petroglyphs. A few glyphs are close to the trail, but most are at a distance and they don't want you walking off the trail. If you want to do an early morning hike like we did, you're able to park in a small lot if the gates aren't open.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Olivia 1 year ago on Google
    Paved and easy to walk trail, just over 2 miles round trip. Be sure to wear sun protection on a sunny day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dianna D. 5 years ago on Google
    2-mile trail with gentle slopes, easy for most people. Good for children and dogs on leash. The trail winds around the base of volcanoes and a mesa, and there are views of petroglyphs at a few points along the trail. It gets warm in the canyon so wear layers. This is a great trail for a quick walk or run. It gets busy on weekends. Gates close at 5pm.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anna M. 1 year ago on Google
    Easy hike but very beautiful. Did with a dog and and 8 month old with no problem

  • 5/5 kyle m. 2 years ago on Google
    Super nice trail! I would definitely recommend the middle path when at the initial tri-fork in the beginning, it ends with the left path at the fork. Lots of cacti so wear closed toed shoes!

  • 3/5 Jon B. 1 year ago on Google
    This gravel loop trail was an easy walk but the entire cliff face with the petroglyphs was roped off for "reconstruction"

  • 5/5 Marius A. W. G. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing trail. Full tour takes like 45 - 60 minutes. No view on volcanos though, and only a few petroglyphs

  • 5/5 Ashley 4 months ago on Google
    Easy trail with periods of incline. Lots of broken glass from wash outs. During the day you can see coyotes, rattle snakes, jack rabbits, road runners, and more. I would go when there are more people around. Sometimes there are homeless people lurking around. That's the only down side. Besides the dog poop and litter.

  • 3/5 Dr W. 6 months ago on Google
    This is a 2.2 mile hike that takes an hour. The only thing we saw was the petroglyphs. Many of the photos shown to be at this location, the sculptures and cliff dwellings were not on this trail.

  • 3/5 Eric L. 4 months ago on Google
    The trails are now restricted compared to my last visit about 8 years ago when visitors can freely roam and get close to the petroglyphs. Viewing is from the roped trail. Highly recommend bringing binoculars in order to see details.


Call (505) 899-0205 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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