Piedras Marcadas Canyon — Attraction in Albuquerque

I've been hiking/ walking here for decades. Sad to see all the fencing and restrictions now, but it's still a beautiful place to visit. There are still many petroglyphs to see from the trails. You can frequently see coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, and lizards etc. Take the shortest trail to see the highest concentration of petroglyphs. It's fairy easy, but parts are very sandy. I often like taking the walk that starts to the right, going up on top first. There are no petroglyphs up there, but anywhere youre near the black rock keep your eyes open, you might be surprised at what you find. There are still a few different ways to connect the trails to get a good moderate hike in. In all my years I have never had any issues leaving my car in the small parking lot. It's located right behind two businesses and by some homes. Biggest drawback is there are no restrooms at this site. At this time of year it's...

Hidden away in the suburbs of Northwest Albuquerque lies the Piedras Marcadas Canyon. As a part of the same geological formation, PMC possesses many of the same characteristics typically seen at Petroglyph National Monument (located just a few miles away). The trail only runs for about two miles and doesn't feature any significant slopes or climbs; making it perfect for the casual hiker. Sights are also pretty extraordinary in some areas; not only providing you with great panoramic views of the city but of the Sandias as well. I recommend best visiting this trail at either dust or dawn, as the sunset/rise illuminates the canyon beautifully. Also, be sure to wear either hiking shoes or a worn-out pair of sneakers. Much of the pathway is covered in fine dirt that has the tendency to dirty up whatever type of...

The visiting center isn’t where the petroglyph trails are but is a good place to get info on how to get to the trails. Out of three petroglyph trails, I opted to go to one offering most petroglyphs, Piedras Marcadas, and was not disappointed. The trail was marked and fairly easy to follow but goes on for a bit so remember to backtrack when turning back. There is no shades so sunscreen and hat is a big plus and a binoculars if available for viewing pictures small and away from the trail is also plus, tho not necessary. A good hiking shoes are also a plus.

Intriguing pictures from thousand plus years ago is delightful and the hike is invigorating (exhausting for some) but you can turn back any point so it’s a good...