Land of Liberty Explorers

Petroglyph National Monument has been named one of Albuquerque’s best places to walk a dog! We took Liberty on a nice evening walk through Piedras Marcadas Canyon – one of three trails at this unique national monument.

Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument was created in 1990. It preserves and protects over 24,000 petroglyphs and a series dormant fissure volcanos that mark the monument’s western boundaries. Petroglyphs are images carved into rock. The oldest carvings in Petroglyph National Monument may have been made 3,000 years by ancestral pueblo peoples.

The Monument is located on the western edge of Albuquerque. This visitors center is located just off Unser Road approximately three miles north of Interstate 40. The visitors center has information on the monument’s trails and a small store operated by the Western National Park Association, but no trails leave from the visitors center. If you choose to stop at the visitors center, you will need to drive to whichever trail you decide to hike. There are three trails to choose from: Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon, and Piedras Marcadas Canyon.

Piedras Marcadas Canyon

We chose Piedras Marcadas Canyon because it was the right length for Liberty and offers the most petroglyphs in the park!

The trailhead for Piedras Marcadas Canyon is located at 9501 Golf Course Rd. NW – right behind a Valvoline Instant Oil Change shop.

From the parking area, the trail is well marked with ropes and signs. The trail is only about 1.5 miles long. Depending on how much time hikers spend looking at petroglyphs, it takes about an hour and a half to complete. Liberty loved this trail’s soft dusty sand surface!

We loved seeing the all of the petroglyphs along the trail. The sunset over the volcanic ridge was lovely as were the views of Albuquerque to the east.

More Park Information

While dogs are allowed on the trails, bikes are generally not allowed except for a short section of trail in Boca Negra Canyon.

The monument’s website states vehicle break-ins have occurred at the trailheads. Don’t leave valuable items in your car and make sure your doors are locked!