What to know about hiking Boca Negra Canyon in ABQ's Petroglyph National Monument (Plus trail pictures)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth TuckerElizabeth Tucker Journal Staff Writer
From Unser NW, heading north, after passing Montaño make a right onto Atrisco NW. This leads to the trail parking lot.
Parking is free.
Hiking
Source National Park Service
The trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing, and is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base.
Mesa Point is considered strenuous, and leads up a steep hill to the lava-rock mesa, offering sprawling views of Albuquerque West Side with Sandias as a backdrop.
The Macaw trail is a short, sandy path with a partial boardwalk leading to and from the restrooms and picnic areas.
The Cliff Base trail is considered moderate and winds along the side of the hill for petroglyph viewing.
Service pets are allowed on the Macaw and Cliff Base trail, but not on the Mesa Point trail.
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Estimated hiking time, half hour to 45 minutes.
Accessibility
No biking, though there is a biking trail on the mesa, and cyclists wind through the parking loop.
No horseback riding.
Be extremely careful coming down Mesa Point, the path is steep with 70° downgrade.
Not wheelchair accessible.
Amenities
Restrooms, picnic tables, trash cans and a water fountain.
Boca Negra Canyon
Other trails to explore
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
Boca Negra Canyon Trail has approximately 100 petroglyphs for viewing. The trail is divided into three parts, Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff Base. Mesa Point is considered strenuous, Macaw and Cliff Base are considered moderate. Located on Atrisco NW Oct. 28, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker/ Albuquerque Journal)
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