Petroglyph National Monument

Walking among the dark volcanic rocks outside of Albuquerque, is where Petroglyph National Monument is found. Centuries ago, there were people who stood in this landscape carving symbols and images into the stone.

The monument preserves one of the largest collections of petroglyphs in North America, with designs created by Native peoples and later Spanish settlers over hundreds of years. Many of the carvings are estimated to be 400 to 700 years old, though some may be even older. The symbols include animals, people, handprints, spirals and geometric figures, each carrying meanings that archaeologists and historians still continue to study today.

The petroglyphs are carved into volcanic basalt created by ancient lava flows from eruptions thousands of years ago. The black rocks provided a perfect surface for carving, and as we climbed through the rugged landscape, every turn revealed another reminder that people have been leaving their stories in stone for centuries.  

Petroglyph National Monument was established in 1990. The monument protects not only the petroglyphs and the surrounding volcanic and desert environment that gives this site its distinctive character.

Looking back on this family road trip, I remember how different this dry, open and ancient landscape felt, like we were entering into another world. Visits like this reminded us how diverse the National Park System is. Some parks preserve towering mountains or battlefields, while others preserve the cultural history and artistic expression of the people who once lived here.