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Petroglyph National Park
Petroglyph National Monument is alive with the sights & sounds of the high desert- a hawk spirals down
from the mesa top, a roadrunner dashes into fragrant sage, a desert millipede traces waves in the sand.
The monument contains more than 20,000 images pecked in stone. Some are recognizable as animals,
people or crosses & other more mysterious. All are inseparable form the landscape & from the spirits of
the people who created them. The images carved onto these black rocks provide an opportunity for people
today to share the cultures of those who long ago inhibited & traveled through the Rio Grande Valley.
Petroglyph National Monument protects a variety of cultural and natural resources
including volcanos, archeological sites and an estimated 20,000 carved images. Many of
the images are recognizable as animals, people, brands and crosses; others are more
complex. These images are inseparable from the cultural landscape, the spirits of the
people who created, and who appreciate them.
Visitor Center:
Petroglyph National Monument's Visitor Center was once the home of an extraordinary
lady. Dr. Sophie Aberle was the first practicing applied anthropologist in the United
States. She was known as "Measuring Lady" by the Native Americans she worked with.
Her research focused mainly on women's lives at the pueblos, including pregnancy, child
birth, child care, diet and healing. Because of her position as Superintendent of the
United Pueblo's Agency, she was able to implement practices which led to better
conditions in the pueblos.
Natural Resources:
This ecosystem has a diverse population of plants, shrubs and trees which have adapted
to live in the desert. It is home to a diverse population of mammals, reptiles and rodents.
Also, fissure volcanoes can be seen on the mesa top which offer a rare look at geologic
features of the Rio Grande Valley.
Directions
Petroglyph National Monument is located on the North West side of Albuquerque,
New Mexico. To get to the visitor center you should take I40 east or west depending
on the direction you are traveling. Leave the interstate at Exit 154 traveling north on
Unser Blvd. Approximatly 3.5 miles north you will find the visitor center at the
junciton of Unser and Western Trail. Make a left hand turn at the light. Travel up the
road to the parking lot for the visitor center.
Las Imágenes Visitor Center
Open All Year
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We suggest all visitors stop at the visitor center to receive maps and current information.
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TOLL FREE 800-888-7111 
