Photo by: Terry Balone

Natural Resources

Petroglyph National Monument has much more to offer than the cultural resources for which it is so well known. Various types of wildlife utilize this narrow corridor, some in transit during migration, others for their entire lifespan. Plants, birds, insects, animals, all are part of the ecosystem that Petroglyph holds in this tiny strip of land and all will eventually encounter the millipedes of Petroglyph NM.

Another inhabitant of this area is the Rattlesnake. The park houses several varieties, please be careful when you are visiting their home. Follow this link for some guidelines about dealing with our legless friend the snake.

The remnants of volcanoe's, that produced the basalt that became the canvas for people for thousands of years, stand starkly against the western horizon and are landmarks seen from much of Albuquerque. A moderate hike will take you partway up some of these volcanic cores. For those up to a more strenuous hike, you can reach the top of some. Be sure to stay on the trails. It takes decades for this fragile landscape to recover from even incidental damage.

While hiking in the Monument, you will notice a wide range of desert plants.