Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trail Hiking Guide
Piedras Marcadas means 'marked stones', and this small canyon in Petroglyph National Monument lives up to the name. The trailhead is tucked behind a strip of shops in Northwest Albuquerque, and within minutes you are walking along a basalt escarpment dense with rock art, usually with far fewer people than at Rinconada. It is short, sandy and one of the monument's quietest petroglyph walks.
The Trail
The Park Service lists the walk at 1.8 miles round trip, rated easy to moderate; mapping apps show about 1.9 miles with around 150 feet of gain as a loop. The trail follows the base of the escarpment, with petroglyphs on the boulders along the way. The surface is soft sand in places, which is slower going than it looks.
Finding the Trailhead
The trailhead is at 9421 Jill Patricia Street NW, behind a Valvoline. Parking is limited, and the Park Service asks visitors not to park in the adjacent strip-mall lot. If the small lot is full, come back later. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset.
The Petroglyphs
Like Rinconada, the images here were pecked into the dark basalt, most of them by ancestral Pueblo people. Stay on the trail and never touch the rocks. Binoculars help, and the best light is early or late in the day. The quieter setting makes it easier to take your time.
Heat
There is no shade and no water. Summer middays are very hot on the sand, so go early or late from May through September. Autumn, winter and spring are the most comfortable seasons.
Practicalities
There are no restrooms at the trailhead. Entry is free. Dogs are allowed on leashes of six feet or less. Wear closed shoes, bring water and sun protection, and allow an hour or so to walk slowly and look properly.
Hiking tips for Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trail
- Park only in the small trailhead lot — the Park Service asks you not to use the strip-mall parking.
- Bring binoculars and go early or late for the best light on the petroglyphs.
- Carry water and use a restroom beforehand; the trailhead has neither.
- Keep dogs on a six-foot leash.
- Go here for a quieter alternative to Rinconada Canyon.
Nearby trails to explore
- Rinconada Canyon Trail
- Volcanoes Trail
- La Luz Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Piedras Marcadas is a quiet petroglyph walk right in the city. Use TrailMates to find Albuquerque hikers for a short morning outing. Download the TrailMates app to connect.