Petroglyph National Monument protects a variety of cultural and natural resources including volcanos, archeological sites and an estimated 20,000 carved images. Many of the images are recognizable as animals, people, brands and crosses; others are more complex. These images are inseparable from the cultural landscape, the spirits of the people who created, and who appreciate them.
The Basics
Hours:
Las Imágenes Visitor Center Open All Year, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We suggest all visitors stop at the visitor center to receive maps and current information.
Closed on: New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas days. The visitor center typically closes at 2:00pm on Thanksgiving and Christmas eve’‘s.
Petroglyph National Monument is located on the North West side of Albuquerque, New Mexico. To get to the visitor center you should take I40 east or west depending on the direction you are traveling. Leave the interstate at Exit 154 traveling north on Unser Blvd. Approximatly 3.5 miles north you will find the visitor center at the junciton of Unser and Western Trail. Make a left hand turn at the light. Travel up the road to the parking lot for the visitor center.
Climate
The climate of Albuquerque is best described as arid with abundant sunshine, low humidity, scant precipitation and a wide, yet tolerable range of temperatures. More than three-fourths of the daylight hours have sunshine, even in the winter months. Albuquerque temperatures are those characteristic of a dry, high altitude climate and extreme temperatures are rare.
Petroglyph National Monument offers several hiking trails to allow for viewing of natural features and a variety of petroglyphs. These trails range in difficulty from easy to moderate.
