Photos from the Road: Petroglyphs in New Mexico

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Photos from the Road: Petroglyphs in New Mexico

I always try to schedule a little less than I know I have time for at a destination. That way there’ll be time to squeeze in something spontaneous. I followed this rule while loosely planning my recent U.S. road trip.

We were on the way to White Sands National Monument after spending the previous day at the Very Large Array and camping at the Valley of Fire. Looking more closely at the map, I saw Three Rivers Petroglyph Site along the day’s route.

I decided we’d stop to check it out. And I’m glad we did.

The number and concentration of petroglyphs here make it one of the largest and most interesting petroglyphs sites in the Southwest U.S. More than 21,000 glyphs of birds, humans, animals, fish, insects and plants, as well as numerous geometric and abstract designs are scattered over 50 acres of New Mexico’s northern Chihuahuan Desert.

The petroglyphs at Three Rivers date to between about 900 and 1400 AD. They were created by Jornada Mogollon people who used stone tools to remove the dark patina on the exterior of the rock.

A short trail leads hikers to the top of a small hill where the highlight petroglyphs are numbered.

More Info:

Day use $5 per vehicle.  The Park is open year-round. From April to October, the entrance gate is open from 8am until 7pm. From October until April—8am to 5pm.

Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is located 17 miles north of Tularosa, NM, and 28 miles south of Carrizozo, NM on U.S. Route 54. Turn east at Three Rivers onto County Road B30 and travel five miles on paved road, following signs.

View more photos of the petroglyphs below:

petroglyphs at three rivers Site New Mexico

petroglyphs at three rivers Site New Mexico (3)

petroglyphs at three rivers Site New Mexico (5)

petroglyphs at three rivers Site New Mexico (6)

petroglyphs at three rivers Site New Mexico (7)

petroglyphs at three rivers Site New Mexico (8)

petroglyphs at three rivers Site New Mexico (9)

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Stephen Bugno
Stephen Bugno
Stephen Bugno has been traveling the world and writing about it for the better part of 20 years. His articles and essays have appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Seattle Times, and Transitions Abroad magazine. He blogs at Bohemian Traveler and edits the independent travel magazine GoMadNomad.com. He most recently set up a tour company offering authentic, small group tours at Unquote Travel. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

3 Comments

  1. Didn’t know about 3 Rivers. We’ll have to get there. I love petroglyphs! Hard to find that many in one place.

  2. Ayngelina says:

    Great photos, just one more reason I want to go to New Mexico.

  3. Benjamin says:

    oh, this is the reason why New Mexico is trending for tour and traveling.These photos are so fascinating and to be honest these pictures are lurking my mind and are forcing me to visit New Mexico.

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