As the summer heat cools down and the vibrant colors of fall begin to appear in the mountains, you’ll find there are plenty of fantastic things to do in Albuquerque this fall. That includes visits to the remarkable Petroglyph National Monument. The Petroglyph National Monument, part of the National Park Service, protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. The monument stretches for 17 impressive miles along the West Mesa, one of the most dominant landscapes on Albuquerque’s horizon.
Hiking through the canyons at Petroglyph National Monument is relatively easy and takes you on a fascinating journey through time. You can expect to spend a couple of hours at the monument. When you’re done, head back to Albuquerque, where you can enjoy a delicious craft beer, a little shopping, and a bite to eat before retiring for the day at our Old Town Albuquerque Bed and Breakfast.
The Bottger Mansion is conveniently located on the edge of Old Town Albuquerque, giving our guests easy access to the city’s best shopping, restaurants, and more. Our small Albuquerque Bed and Breakfast is the perfect alternative to larger and more traditional hotels. Here, you’ll find that our hospitality and service far exceed what you’ll find anywhere else. Join us this fall for an exciting adventure in Albuquerque. Book your room at our Old Town Albuquerque Bed and Breakfast Today.
What to See at Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque
Spread out over 17 miles on the West Mesa of Albuquerque is the Petroglyph National Monument, home to a breathtaking 400+ historic petroglyphs. These petroglyphs are sacred symbols and designs that were carved on the area’s volcanic rocks somewhere between 400 and 700 years ago by Native Americans and Spanish settlers. Historically, these petroglyphs served the valuable purpose of cultural expression. Today, they allow us to study and understand these ancient peoples. For contemporary Native Americans and other descendants of these settlers, these symbols are sacred and profoundly significant reminders of their culture and traditions.
The trails throughout the Petroglyph National Monument are rustic, and there are three different canyons to explore in the area: Boca Negra, Rinconada, or Piedras Marcadas Canyons. We recommend picking up a map of the Petroglyph National Monument at the Information Center.
Boca Negra Canyon
You can expect to spend approximately one hour at the Boca Negra Canyon portion of the Petroglyph National Monument. There are around 100 petroglyphs that can be seen here and a developed trail network featuring three different trails. This is the only developed area of the park, meaning there are restrooms, shade, and water available. Dogs are not allowed in this part of the park.
Rinconada Canyon
If you choose to visit the Rinconada Canyon, you can expect to spend around 2 hours seeing the 200-300 petroglyphs in this part of the Petroglyph National Monument. The trail system here is a bit more rustic, and no water is available. Leashed pets are allowed, however. The Rinconada Canyon is where you’ll find the longest trail system inside the Petroglyph National Monument, and it’s considered moderately difficult.
Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Like the Rinconada Canyon, the trails at the Piedras Marcadas Canyon are undeveloped and have no water or restrooms. The total trail length is 1.5 miles, which you can expect to take around 1.5 hours. You’ll have the opportunity to see 300-500 petroglyphs here, which is the most in the park. Leashed pets are allowed here, too. There’s no shade in this part of the park, and the trails are considered moderate. This is a great one to do in the early morning hours during the hot summer months!
While you’re at Petroglyph National Monument, we also recommend you visit the Volcanoes Day Use Area. There are no petroglyphs here, but there are plenty of great hikes. The trails are considered undeveloped and range in length from 1 to 4 miles. The hikes are scenic and travel around the volcanic cinder cones in the area. You’ll enjoy fantastic views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains as you hike through this portion of the Petroglyph National Monument. Water isn’t available, but there is a restroom facility. Leashed pets are allowed.
The Best Place to Stay in Old Town Albuquerque
As impressive as the Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque is, it’s not the only thing worth doing here in this beautiful city. Right next to our Inn, you’ll find the enchanting world of Old Town Albuquerque, filled with plenty of great opportunities for shopping, dining, and exploring.
As you melt into the casual charm of our Old Town Albuquerque Bed and Breakfast, we think you’ll agree that it is one of the best places to stay in Albuquerque. Our guest rooms and exceptional service are incomparable and far exceed what you’ll find at traditional Albuquerque hotels.
Guests staying at our Albuquerque Bed and Breakfast have their choice of seven guest rooms, each of which comes standard with an exquisite range of amenities. Every stay includes our delicious multi-course breakfast, too. Breakfast menus change frequently but include things like fresh fruits with a house-made sorbet, followed by a sweet or savory main dish accompanied by a variety of breakfast sausage, ham or bacon, and perhaps scones or biscuits.
If you’re looking for a stay that reflects the beautiful city and culture of Albuquerque, look no further. Our Old Town Albuquerque Bed and Breakfast is hands down the best place to stay in Albuquerque. Book your room today!
