Petroglyph National Monument protects thousands of pictures carved into dark volcanic rocks near Albuquerque. Native people and early settlers made these drawings long ago.
Visitors love searching the rocks for carvings of birds, faces, animals, and stars. It feels like a giant outdoor treasure hunt through history.
More than 20,000 pictures are chipped into the black volcanic stones. You might spot a bird, a lizard, or a smiling face.
The dark rocks came from small volcanoes that erupted long ago. You can hike up to the old volcano tops for a nice view.
Short trails wind past the carvings among cactus and desert plants. Bring water and a hat because the sun is strong here.