Petroglyph National Monument Custom Search As you walk among the petroglyphs, you are not alone. This world is alive with the sights and sounds of the high desert - a hawk spirals down from the mesa top, a roadrunner scurries into fragrant sage, a desert millipede traces waves in the sand. There is another presence beyond what we can see or hear. People who have lived along the Rio Grande for many centuries come alive again through images they carved on the shiny black rocks. These images, and associated archeological sites in the Albuquerque area, provide glimpses into a 12,000 year long story of human life in this area. Petroglyph National Monument stretches 17 miles along Albuquerque's West Mesa, a volcanic basalt escarpment that dominates the city’s western horizon. Authorized June 27, 1990, the 7,236 acre monument is cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque. Petroglyph National Monument protects a variety of cultural and natural resources including five volcanic cones, hundreds of archeological sites and an estimated 25,000 images carved by native peoples and early Spanish settlers. Many of the images are recognizable as animals, people, brands and crosses; others are more complex. Their meaning, possibly, understood only by the carver. These images are inseparable from the greater cultural landscape, from the spirits of the people who created them, and all who appreciate them. Petroglyph National Monument is a place of respect, awe and wonderment.     CONTACTS Email - PETR_Interpretation@nps.gov Fax- 505-899-0207 Write to 6001 Unser Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 Phone Visitor Information - 505-899-0205 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Las Im?genes Visitor Center Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Boca Negra Canyon: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Rinconada Canyon: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Volcanoes: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Park is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. Getting There CAR - Visitors traveling on I-40 take Unser Boulevard exit north three miles to park visitor center; five miles north to Boca Negra Canyon. Weather & Climate High desert, elevation: 5,000'+. Mild most of the year. Hot and dry summers, with periods of rain from July through September. Average high temperature; 93 degrees. Winter days can be cold. Hiking boots, sunscreen, and a hat recommended. Carry water. Accessibility At the present time, only the Las Im?genes Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. FACILITIES Visitor Centers LAS IM?GENES VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone - 505-899-0205 Location - Visitors traveling on I-40 take Unser Boulevard exit north three miles to park visitor center; five miles north to Boca Negra Unit. Closures - Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. Special Programs - Cultural Demonstration Program: Weekends starting Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Las Im?genes Visitor Center Exhibits - Change regularly. 'Valle de Atrisco' - Spanish Land Grants is now on exhibit.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Petroglyph National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Petroglyph National Monument: Albuquerque West RV Park, Albuquerque, 2 miles away Continental Acres, Albuquerque, 2 miles away Campo Alegre, Albuquerque, 2 miles away Palisades RV Park, Albuquerque, 5 miles away Balloon View Homes and RV Park, Albuquerque, 6 miles away Stagecoach Stop, Rio Rancho, 6 miles away The StageCoach Stop Resort RV Park, Rio Rancho, 6 miles away   Hotels Near Petroglyph National Monument: Econo Lodge West, Albuquerque , 2 miles away Days Inn Albuquerque West, Albuquerque , 2 miles away Super 8 Albuquerque/West, Albuquerque , 2 miles away La Quinta Inn & Suites Albuquerque West, Albuquerque , 2 miles away Hampton Inn Suites AlbuquerqueCoors Road, Albuquerque , 2 miles away BEST WESTERN PLUS Rio Grande Inn, Albuquerque , 3 miles away Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, Albuquerque , 3 miles away   Trails Near Petroglyph National Monument: Embudito Trail, Bernalillo County , 16 miles away La Luz Trail, Sandoval County , 17 miles away Embudo Trail, Bernalillo County , 17 miles away Ellis Trail, Sandoval County , 18 miles away Pino Trail, Bernalillo County , 18 miles away   Ski Areas Near Petroglyph National Monument: Sandia Peak, New Mexico , 20 miles away, 1700 foot drop, 6 lifts, 30 runs Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico , 48 miles away, 1410 foot drop, 7 lifts, 37 runs Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico , 72 miles away, 1725 foot drop, 7 lifts, 69 runs Sipapu, New Mexico , 98 miles away, 1055 foot drop, 4 lifts, 31 runs   Public Lands Near Petroglyph National Monument: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Mountainair - NM , 47 miles away Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos - NM , 51 miles away Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Santa Fe - NM , 62 miles away Manzano Mountains State Park, New Mexico , 38 miles away   Golf Courses Near Petroglyph National Monument: Ladera Golf Course, Albuquerque , 1 miles away Desert Greens Golf Course, Albuquerque , 3 miles away Albuquerque Country Club, Albuquerque , 4 miles away Golf Course Wings, Albuquerque , 4 miles away Los Altos Golf Course, Albuquerque , 4 miles away