Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument encompasses a total area of about 7500 acres of land that is located in Bernalillo County, near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The protected area is accessible from I-40 off Unser Boulevard. This national monument was established on June 27, 1990, and is today managed and owned by the National Park Service and the State of New Mexico.

When visitors get to Petroglyph National Monument, they will find a lot of attractions to lure them in. For example, there are over 20,000 prehistoric and historic Native American and Hispanic petroglyphs that stretch about 17 miles along Albuquerque's West Mesa escarpment. These images carved in rock (petroglyphs), were carved by Ancestral Pueblo peoples and early Spanish settlers. 

Most of the pictures include drawings of people, animals, crosses, brands and other complex shapes that are still a mystery to modern people. Secondly, the western boundary of the national monument has a chain of dormant fissure volcanoes including Butte volcano in the northwest corner and then Bond, Vulcan, Black and JA volcanoes, in that order from north to south.

Third, visitors can also get to enjoy conveniences in the park like a picnic area, restrooms, interpretive exhibits, self-guided trails, and a visitor center. Guests to the national monument can see all of the attractions to the park by hiking through four major areas within the national monument including Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon, Piedras Marcadas Canyon, and the Volcano Day Use Trails.

Dogs are allowed into Petroglyph National Monument albeit with some restrictions. For example, dog owners are expected to stay away from areas of the park that are restricted to dogs. Additionally, dog owners are always supposed to maintain immediate control of their dog. This always includes keeping the dog on a leash. Additionally, dog owners should carry poop bags for their convenience because they are expected to clean up after their dog immediately.