Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument

Park Regulations & Safety

Accessibility

Petroglyph National Monument is still a young unit of the system of National Parks, and is cooperatively run by the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque, Open Space Division. As such we are moderately limited on accessible features. On the other hand, each plan that is started and implemented by the National Park Service takes into account accessibility.

Major Features:

Las Imágenes Visitor Center - The visitor center has reserved parking and 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 tactile exhibits of petroglyphs we have had constructed so all visitors can experience the feel of a petroglyph. (Touching of actual petroglyphs is strongly discouraged to prevent damage to these delicate carvings.)

Accessible: Parking, Ramps, Restrooms, exhibit

Boca Negra Canyon - Trails are not accessible, however, petrogyphs may be easily viewed from the McCaw/Cliff Base Trail shade ramada.

Accessible: Parking and restrooms

Rinconada Canyon - The Rinconada Canyon Day Use Area is not accessible at this time. All terrain wheelchairs may use the 1.2 mile long trail to the back of the canyon but the trail may be sandy or muddy at certain times of the year. A gravel parking lot exists as well as an accessible restroom, however, the route to the restroom is not accessible.

Accessible: Restroom and Shade Structure is accessible. Trail is not accessible.

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 it's full 1/2 mile length. The shade structure and restrooms are accessible.

To contact a park ranger at the Visitor Center, you may call 899-0205 ext335.

Regulations

The following rules and regulations have been established in order to provide for the safety of our visitors and to best protect the many cultural and natural resources of Petroglyph National Monument. As a young unit of the National Park System, Petroglyph National Monument is still developing many of the facilities (trails, contact stations, etc.) commonly found in other park units. Nonetheless, all lands and resources within the monument are protected by federal, state and local laws and regulations. Please direct any questions you may have to the Chief Ranger at 505-899-0205.

  • Enter the monument only through established access points and stay on existing roads and trails.
    • The sandy soils of Petroglyph National Monument can easily erode. Walking off the trails can damage the fragile desert vegetation and increase erosion from wind and rain.
    • Any existing dirt road or trail may be used as a foot/bike/horse trail, unless otherwise marked, until the completion of the Official Trail Plan for the monument.
      • Boca Negra and Rinconada Canyon trails are open ONLY to foot traffic.
      • NO ATV's, dirt bikes, or other motorized off-road vehicles are allowed anywhere inside the monument
  • Help protect your park for future generations. Do not remove or add, alter, damage, or deface any natural or cultural objects.
    • Everything is protected in National Park units. If you witness vandalism or theft of natural or cultural items, please report it to the number listed above.
    • Natural items include soils, rocks, plants, animals (including insects), etc. Cultural items include, but are not limited to, petroglyphs, archeological sites and historic objects.
      • Portions of Petroglyph National Monument were included in an historic military test range. There may be unexploded ordnance (fuses and or other bomb parts) within or adjacent to parts of the monument. If you see anything that might be part of such a device DO NOT TOUCH IT. For your safety and the safety of others, report it to Open Space Dispatch at 505-873-6632 or to a Park Ranger at Las Imágenes Visitor Center. Please provide an exact location of where you found the item and a good description.
  • Pets are welcome on most trails as long as they are kept on a leash 6 feet or less in length and under the physical control of a handler at all times. Pets are not allowed anywhere in Boca Negra Canyon. Please pick up after your pet and dispose of pet waste in an appropriate trash receptacle.
    • Most National Parks do not allow dogs on any trails. As an urban unit, we currently allow dogs on most trails under these conditions:
      1. Keep your pet on a short (6 foot or shorter) leash and under your physical control at all times.
      2. Pick up your pet's excrement and dispose of it properly.
      3. Your pet may not chase or harass any wildlife (lizards included).
      4. Do not allow your dog to dig, maul, or otherwise disturb any park feature.
    • Following these guidelines protects your pet, as well as park wildlife, from potentially harmful situations and is courteous to other visitors. Some people are uncomfortable or scared of dogs and do not like to be approached.
    • Canine Fecal Coliform is one of the largest problems facing Albuquerque's water supply. Collecting your pet's waste and disposing of it properly will keep these bacteria from being washed into our arroyos (washes) and eventually into the aquifer.

Note that some unrestrained pets have died of heat stroke, been bit by snakes, or had fatal encounters with coyotes, both of which are native wildlife.

  • Deposit all refuse in an appropriate receptacle. Trash cans are provided for your convenience in many areas of the monument. Help us keep your monument clean and litter free.
  • Target practicing, hunting or sport shooting is strictly prohibited within the city limit of Albuquerque, which includes all lands within the monument. Carrying or using a firearm or other weapons or traps is prohibited on federal lands (see Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations). Public and Private shooting range facilities are available locally for such purposes.
  • No camping is allowed within the monument boundary. Camping is available at numerous commercial campgrounds within the Albuquerque area as well as other public lands throughout the state. Some useful links are:

    State Parks information - http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/nmparks/
    Forest Service in NM - http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/mapv1/xaz_nm_tx.html
    General Public Lands Info - http://www.publiclands.org/html/home.html

  • Hot Air balloons, para-gliders, ultralights, planes and any other device used for human flight, may not land, takeoff, or fly over at less than 500' within the monument.
    • The entire monument is designated a "no-land" zone. Any landing will be considered an emergency landing. Landings will result in an official report documenting the balloon, owner, and pilot, which will be forwarded to the FAA.
    • Landings resulting in damage to natural or cultural items can result in criminal charges and restitution for assessments and rehabilitation of any affected areas.
    • Monument staff is NOT provided to physically assist in the removal of balloons and associated equipment. Removal MUST be done by the balloon pilot and crew. If monument staff or equipment is required to complete removal, services will be charged back to the operator/owner.
  • Motor Vehicle operation is authorized on established park roads and parking areas that are paved or rocked (graveled) for vehicle use only. Off road travel by any motorized vehicle including ATV's, dirt bikes, dune buggies, etc. is prohibited within the monument to protect natural and cultural features for future generations. The monument is fenced to protect these features; please help by reporting any off road vehicle intrusions or fence cuts.

    Intrusions resulting in damage to natural or cultural items can result in criminal charges and restitution for assessments and rehabilitation of any affected areas.
  • Personal photography and filming is allowed, however, any commercial photography or filming requires a special use permit issued by the Superintendent. Contact the National Park Service Chief Ranger at 505-899-0205 x233 for information regarding permit requirements. (Please notify us a minimum of 2 weeks prior to desired date for permit processing.)


Other Regulations apply. Park specific regulations are contained in the Superintendents Compendium. For a copy of the compendium or if you have any questions concerning park regulations, call the Chief Ranger at 505-899-0205 x233.

Violations of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations are generally punishable by fines up to $5000 and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months. Certain natural and cultural resource violations such as damaging or removing petroglyphs, may be felonies punishable by fines up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years in addition to civil penalties.

Please help protect and preserve our natural and cultural heritage for future generations. For further information or to report a violation, call:

  • National Park Service Law Enforcement at 505-899-0205
  • City of Albuquerque Open Space Division Dispatch 505-873-6632

Common Etiquette for Visiting a Petroglyph Site

Petroglyphs are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. We ask for your assistance in preserving this rich cultural landscape.

By remembering and following the rules listed here, you can help preserve these unique and fragile cultural resources that are part of our heritage.

Avoid Touching the Petroglyphs

Look and observe, BUT DO NOT TOUCH! Preserve petroglyphs by not touching them in any way. Even a small amount of the oils from our hands can erode petroglyphs and destroy the patina (color) of the carved or pecked image.

Stay on the Trails

For your own safety and the preservation of the petroglyphs, stay on designated trails within the monument. Climbing among the rocks can dislodge loose stones causing damage to the petroglyph boulders. Falling rocks can hurt people, or may scratch the carved and pecked images causing unintentional damage. Do not re-arrange the rocks or move things from where you find them. The petorglyphs are important individually and in relation to each other. To even try and understand a petroglyph or pictograph it needs to be viewed in relation to its environment: including the adjacent image(s), the entire basalt escarpment, and the surrounding landscape. For someone to fully appreciate a site, the glyphs and their surroundings should be left undisturbed.

Photography and Sketching is Allowed

Do not introduce any foreign substance to enhance the carved and pecked images for photographic or drawing purposes. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law -- even if the damage is unintentional.

Re-pecking or re-painting does not restore a petroglyph or pictograph, it destroys the original. DO NOT add your own marks to the images. The introduction of graffiti destroys the petroglyphs and is disrespectful to contemporary Native Americans and their ancestors.

Note: Photography for personal use does not require a permit. Commercial photography does require a permit. Pets Where dogs are allowed, keep them on a leash and clean up after them. Animals may damage archeological sites (including petroglyph sites) by digging, urinating and defecating on them. Animals can destroy fragile cultural resources. Artifacts If you happen to come across sherds (broken pottery) or lithics (flakes of stone tools), leave them where you see them. Once they are moved or removed, a piece of the past is forever lost.

All archaeological and historic sites within Petroglyph National Monument are protected by a number of laws and regulations including the Antiquities Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. These and other laws prohibit digging, removing artifacts, damaging and defacing archaeological resources in national parks, and provide felony and/or misdemeanor prosecution with imprisonment up to ten years and fines up to $100,000.

If you see people vandalizing or disturbing archeological sites or petroglyphs, please report it as soon as possible by calling Petroglyph National Monument Law Enforcement at 505-899-0205 or the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division Dispatch at 505-873-6632.

While visiting the national monument consider yourself a guest in someone's home and act appropriately. Native Americans today consider the entire national monument to be a sacred landscape. Like other places of worship throughout the world, the area demands respect and care.

Thanks for your cooperation, and we hope you enjoy your visit.

Pets

Enjoying the monument with your dog

Dogs are welcome in Petrogylph National Monument.

Petroglyph National Monument offers many scenic spots and open spaces for you and your dog to enjoy together. Whether you share a run along the volcanoes or a quiet walk in Rinconada Canyon, always be aware of your surroundings and considerate of others. It takes a cooperative effort to make the park safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Boca Negra Canyon is the most heavily visited area within the monument. Its short, partly paved trails are easy for seniors, for the physically challenged, and for young children to walk on. It becomes very crowded on the narrow trails and because of the congestion dogs are not allowed. If you want to visit Boca Negra Canyon we suggest you leave your dog at home.
Dogs are not allowed inside public buildings such as the visitor center, offices, and public restrooms.

Service Dogs
Service dogs are those that assist people who have special accessibility needs. They are welcome throughout Petroglyph National Monument, provided that they are on a leash as well.

Why Your Dog Should Be On A Leash

Mission of the National Park Service

Petroglyph is one of over 380 units of the federal National Park system. The National Park Service mission is to assure the protection of natural and cultural resources, and provide for the enjoyment of those resources in such a way that leaves them unimpaired for future generations. With over 20,000 petroglyphs and hundreds of historic resources, Petroglyph faces serious challenges. To meet these challenges, we ask all visitors to minimize their impacts on park resources and on other visitors. When dog owners cooperate with city and federal park regulations, the impact of their dogs is minimal.

For the Protection of Park Wildlife and Plants

Many dogs chase and threaten wildlife. Your dog may scare birds or other wildlife away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites. The scent left behind by your dog can signal the presence of a predator to park wildlife, disrupting or altering their behavior. Digging may destroy an animal's home. Uncontrolled dogs can damage important rare native plants.

For the Safety of Other Visitors

Unleashed dogs and their excrement disturb visitors who come to enjoy the Monument. Many people, especially children, are afraid of dogs, even friendly ones. Some fear being knocked over or bitten. Holes left behind by dogs can result in injury to park visitors.

For the Safety of Your Dog

Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest and friendliest dog. Your dog may be lost, injured, or suffer a painful or even fatal fall. Wildlife may bite or transmit disease to your dog. Coyote's are known to trick loose dogs into chasing them, only to lead a dog to the coyote pack where it becomes dinner. Your dog may encounter a rattlesnake, or be exposed to poisonous plants or other plants that have thorns or burrs. On a leash and on a trail, your dog will be less likely to encounter these dangers.

It's The Law

Where dogs are permitted, federal law requires dogs to be on a leash, not to exceed six feet in length, in all units of the National Park system. You may be cited and fined for violation of leash, wildlife and litter laws. (36 CFR Part 2)

Please Remember

When you bring your dog to the park, please remember to:

  • Keep your dog on a leash and under control.

  • Clean up after your dog and dispose of waste in a trash receptacle.

  • Bring plenty of water for yourself and your dog.

  • Ensure your dog never chases wildlife or digs holes.

  • Never leave your pet unattended, tied to an object, or in a car without ventilation or water.

  • Do not allow your dog to bark, howl, or whine excessively

It is every dog owner's responsibility to follow all city and federal regulations at all times when visiting Petroglyph National Monument. Remember that it takes a cooperative effort to make the Monument safe and enjoyable for everyone.

The staff and officials at Petroglyph thank you for being a responsible dog owner.

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 36, Volume 1, Parts 1 to 199]
[Revised July 1, 1999]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

TITLE 36-PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY

CHAPTER 1-NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PART 2-RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION-Table of Contents

Sec. 2.15 Pets.

(a) The following are prohibited:

(1) Possessing a pet in a public building, public transportation vehicle, or location designated as a swimming beach or any structure or area closed to the possession of pets by the superintendent. This subparagraph shall not apply to service dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired persons.

(2) Failing to crate, cage, restrain on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length, or otherwise physically confine a pet at all times.

(3) Leaving a pet unattended and tied to an object, except in designated areas or under conditions which may be established by the superintendent.

(4) Allowing a pet to make noise that is unreasonable considering location, time of day or night, impact on park users, and other relevant factors, or that frightens wildlife by barking, howling, or making other noise.

(5) Failing to comply with pet excrement disposal. (Conditions which may be established by the superintendent.)

(c) Pets or feral animals that are running-at-large and observed by an authorized person in the act of killing, injuring or molesting humans or wildlife may be destroyed if necessary for public safety or protection of wildlife or other park resources.

(d) Pets running-at-large may be impounded and the owner may be charged reasonable fees for kennel or boarding costs, feed, veterinarian fees, transportation costs, and disposal. An impounded pet may be put up for adoption or otherwise disposed of after being held for 72 hours from the time the owner was notified of capture or 72 hours from the time of capture if the owner is unknown.

Snakes

ATTENTION VISITORS

Ssssssss…Snakes alive!

If you visit Petroglyph during the spring or summer, you might see a snake. All snakes will escape from human contact given the opportunity. Most of the snakes found in Petroglyph are harmless and nocturnal.

However, Petroglyph does have a healthy population of two types of venomous snakes, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) and the Western Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis).

While it is unlikely you will see either rattlesnake during your visit, there is a possibility since you are walking through their habitat. Snakes are mostly nocturnal, seeking shelter in rodent burrows or rock crevices during the hotter part of the day. In mild to warm temperatures, approximately 70-80 degrees, individuals may be seen warming themselves on basalt boulders, on trails and on blacktop roads. Snakes play a vital role in our ecosystem, feeding upon rodents that may be carriers of hantavirus.

In the event you come across a snake, here are some things to remember:

~ The best thing to do is give them plenty of room. Keep a distance of at least 6 feet between you and a snake.

~ Rattlesnakes will not attack but if disturbed or cornered, they will defend themselves just like any other wild animal.

~ Be aware of where you are walking. Do not attempt to look into or put your hands or feet in any holes, burrows or rock crevices.

~ Listen. You will hear a rattlesnake before you see it. Rattlesnakes have a built in warning system- when you are getting too close for their comfort, they will let you know.

~ Note the location of the snake and report your sighting to a Park Ranger.

In the highly unlikely event of a snake bite:

~ Remain calm.

~ Do not try to cut into the bite or attempt to suck the venom out.

~ Do not use a tourniquet.

~ Send someone for help and get medical care as soon as possible. (Hospitals are only 15 minutes from Petroglyph.)

~ Stay as still as possible. Physical exertion increases the flow of venom through the body.

Many rattlesnake bites are "dry" bites in which venom is not injected. It is physiologically costly for a rattlesnake to waste venom on something other than a meal.