About Santa Fe

Hiking, Mountain Biking
Length: 6.3 miles
Elevation: In excess of 5,000 feet
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
Seasonal: 4 Season (Possible snow in winter)
Driving Distance from Plaza: 65 miles

Overview:
More than 15,000 prehistoric and historic Native American and Hispanic petroglyphs (images carved in rock) stretch 17-miles along Albuquerque's West Mesa escarpment. Associated archeological sites provide important chapters in a 12,000 year-long story of human life in the Albuquerque area.

Petroglyph National Monument: The Volcanoes is a 6.3 mile loop trail located near Albuquerque, New Mexico that offers the chance to see wildlife. The trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking & mountain biking.

Spectacular views of the desert plains surrounding the volcanoes and the Sandia Peaks to the East. Trail is flat between the volcanoes but the hike up the individual volcanoes is STEEP and somewhat rocky with loose scree here and there.

Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. These images are a valuable record of cultural expression and hold profound spiritual significance for contemporary Native Americans and for the descendants of the early Spanish settlers.

Petroglyph National Monument was established in 1990 and is considered a young National Park unit. The monument is cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division. Currently we are moderately limited on accessible features. On the other hand, each project that is started and implemented by the National Park Service takes into account accessibility.

Accessibility:
Las Imágenes Visitor Center
The visitor center is fully accessible with parking spaces and chair ramps. Monument staff members are on duty to provide you with personalized information and to assist you in planning your visit. This site also has a tactile exhibit of petroglyphs so all visitors can experience the feel of a petroglyph. (Touching of actual petroglyphs is strongly discouraged to prevent damage to these irreplaceable resources.) Park brochures in braille and in large print are available at the visitor center.

Boca Negra Canyon - Trails are not accessible, however, petrogyphs may be easily seen using the view scope located at the Macaw trail shaded patio. Accessible: Parking lots, patio, and restrooms.

Rinconada Canyon - The Rinconada Canyon Trail is not accessible at this time. All- terrain powerchairs may attempt use the trail but it is not recommended as the trail may be too rocky, sandy, or muddy at certain times of the year. Accessible: Parking lot, vault restroom, picnic tables, and shade structures.

Volcanoes - This recently developed area has a trail that is partially prepared for wheelchair access. Funds are being appropriated to complete accessibility of this trail to its full 1 mile length. Accessible: Parking lot, vault restrooms, and shade structure.

For questions concerning accessibility call the Visitor Center at 505.899.0205 ext. 335 or the Chief of Interpretation at ext. 230.

Directions:
The Monument's visitor center is located on the westside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. From Interstate 40 take the Unser Blvd. exit (#154) and proceed north 3 miles to Western Trail. Turn left or west onto Western Trail and follow road to the visitor center.

From Interstate 25 take the Paseo del Norte exit (#232) and proceed west to Coors Road exit south. Proceed south on Coors Road to Western Trail. Turn right or west onto Western Trail and follow road to the visitor center.

For Volcanoes access, please note that the City of Albuquerque renamed Paseo del Volcan to Atrisco Vista Boulevard.