Petroglyph National Monument

We went here during the government shut down. The staff was still there! Giving directions and answering questions. Now the visitor center was closed of course but they were still outside the gates to help us. Wonderful humans! They didn't have the passport stamps at the "Main Gate" but drew a date stamp for me in my book. That guy made my day doing that. I loved him for doing that. When we got to one of the trails they had the stamp there so I got both ❤️. It made a sad situation in our country that more memorable because of the human nature, kindness, regular people sharing an experience together, for each other. It was amazing seeing the art someone left behind so long ago. Trying to understand what they were thinking. Seeing a captured moment in time of the thought of another human being. Some make perfect sense and some you will walk away wondering what in the world was that. If you get the chance take a walk where others have stepped for so long.

A piece of history that you definitely need to see! Very well maintained and great signage! The hiking trails range from moderate to difficult, depending on which site you choose to visit. We went with the Boca Negra Canyon which showcases around 100 petroglyphs and is not a difficult hike at all. I didn't see all of them but I saw quite a few. We spent about 1 hour and 30 minutes there. Also, I started with the Visitors Center and got some good info and a map to start. It is free to visit...

From what we could see during the government shutdown it was a good place to visit. We walked in via the access trail and were able to go into the canyon to see petroglyphs. I really liked how there were very few signs pointing out where the petroglyphs were - it was like a scavenger hunt!

Amazing stop some difficult hikes if you have mobility challenges but there is a nice walkway for easier options. Well worth the hike if your are moderately fit. Beautiful historical artifacts at no charge.

It’s a nice place to pay a visit if you are in the way to Arizona. Went to the Visitor Center and learn about the history and old Pueblo rock carvings known as the Petroglyphs. Before the hike, you may be encouraged by the information ranger, to watch a short video near the gift shop so that hikers may appreciate the monument. There are a few trails and the easier and short trails can find around 100 over petroglyphs. Other trails can have more than 200 of them. I do enjoy the visit and getting some souvenirs.

A rock storybook! You have to wonder what these ancient people were trying to tell us. Though we will never fully know, we can know they were leaving behind something they hoped would be seen thousand of years later. This place is amazing!

Oh my gosh, why are 700-year-old rock carvings so fascinating?! I mean all it is is some people sitting around chipping away at these rocks to make pictures. Yet here I am in 95° weather walking all around this lava rock hill trying to find as many of them as I can. But there's so much more behind it than that because you don't know what these people were thinking when they carved these certain symbols. What they meant in life to them or to the community or to the universe. When I go to these places I always look around that area to see what kind of terrain and such that these people were living in day by day. Compared to the luxuries that we have today it looks so hot and dry and inhospitable but they knew how to live off the land and with the land and took advantage of every little thing that was provided to them yet they never wasted anything. There are several trails to chose from. Me... in the right place at the wrong time. #mysteryladystravelingfeet #thegreatoutdoors #historical #gypsylife #historylovers #travelwithme #hikingtrails #newmexico #lavarocks #makingmemories #AmericanHistory #NativeHeritage #petroglyphs

We did the two longer trails which were really nice hikes. We weren’t sure which ones we should try to see and the people at the visitor center weren’t super helpful in saying which trail would be best or which order would be recommended. You do have to hike and look for the petroglyphs. Some of them have signs in front but most of them you have to find on our own from a distance.