The 2-Mile Trail In New Mexico That Leads To Extraordinary Petroglyphs
By Melissa Mahoney|Published December 27, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
There are countless extraordinary hikes throughout the Land of Enchantment. For that, residents and visitors alike are so lucky! And the best way to explore is on one of the best hikes in New Mexico. There’s a trail in the state for just about anyone who enjoys hiking. For those who love a bit of history while exploring the great outdoors, you must embark on the Rinconada Canyon Trail in the Petroglyph National Monument. This may be the best hike near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Petroglyph National Monument is a 7,200-acre U.S. National Park located in Albuquerque, NM. It's home to the largest petroglyph sites on the continent.
While this trail will take under an hour to complete, you'll probably want to hang out longer in order to view all the fascinating petroglyphs etched into the rocks.
The petroglyphs were left behind by both Native Americans and Spanish settlers between 400 and 700 years ago. Etched into volcanic rocks, you'll get to view symbols that were sacred to these groups.
The Rinconada Canyon Trail is open daily between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dogs are not allowed on this particular trail but are allowed on others in the park, so keep that in mind if you plan on bringing your four-legged friend with you!
Have you taken the Rinconada Canyon Trail before? If so, would you agree it’s the best hike near Albuquerque, New Mexico? Let us know! For more information on this trail, visit AllTrails, and don’t forget to download the AllTrails+ app to guide you along the way.
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