Petroglyph National Monument sits along a portion of the West Mesa, an escarpment west of most of urban Albuquerque. This site--known best for the petroglyph rock carvings dating from hundreds to thousands of years ago--also has five dormant volcanoes. Much of Petroglyph National Monument sits within the city limits of Albuquerque, and is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque's Open Space Division.
The Volcanoes Day Use Area along Atrisco Vista Boulevard NW offers the best location to enjoy the trails for these volcanoes. A gated parking area is available, but it opens after sunrise and closes before sunset. Those who wish to visit to create stunning sunrise or sunset photographs near the volcanoes must park outside the gates and walk a little extra distance.
The word "Atrisco" originates from Nahuatl, an Indigenous Mexican/Central American language, and refers to "a water surface," meaning that this elevated area west of the Rio Grande provides a view of the rich river valley that sustained Native American cultures before Spaniards, Mexicans, and Americans came to this land.
The five volcanoes in this region originated as tectonic fissures. More than 120,000 years ago, lava from openings in the earth's surface created these features. The lava from these volcanoes flowed out, mostly toward the valley where Albuquerque is today. Now dormant, these structures remain visible landmarks on the city's western horizon.
Although higher in elevation than most of Albuquerque, the volcanoes sit within the Rio Grande Rift, an area between the Rio Puerco on the west and the Sandia Mountains to the east. The rivers in this region, especially the Rio Grande, allowed for human settlement and survival thousands of years ago. The lands immediately surrounding the volcanoes remain largely arid and desert-like.
Visiting the Volcanoes
An unpaved trail system allows visitors to enjoy magnificent views of the volcanoes, the Rio Grande Valley, the Sandia Mountains, and Albuquerque. In recent years, officials have closed some of the earlier trails to protect the volcanoes and restore the terrain. A section of the trail allows pedestrians to climb along portions of Black Volcano.
Our visit takes us first to JA Volcano, rising approximately 114 feet above the landscape, and sitting at an elevation of 5944 feet above sea level. The main pathway allows us to enjoy great views of JA Volcano from the west and north sides. Two ramadas offer covered shelter, one near the volcano and the other also allowing for a great view of Albuquerque in the Rio Grande Valley below.
The next segment of the trail takes a northern turn, allowing for visitors to enjoy great vistas of the Rio Grande Valley below. The elevation gained is part of the base of Black Volcano, the only volcano visitors can ascend while staying on the basic trails that are maintained. Black Volcano, immediately north of JA Volcano, rises approximately 155 feet above the basin.
Prior to the establishment of Petroglyph National Monument in 1990, some mining took place in the area near the top of this volcano. The well-worn path offers a number of great locations to see much of Albuquerque.
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