Most People Don't Even Know This Little-Known Destination In New Mexico Even Exists
By Melissa Mahoney|Published August 02, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream.
One of the best parts about living in New Mexico is its sheer size and the fact that you can discover something new every time you venture out. Even when you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll find something new-to-you. One little-known destination in New Mexico that you may or may not know about is located just outside of Santa Fe. La Cienguilla Petroglyphs is an area with hundreds of centuries-old petroglyphs that anyone would be amazed to see.
If you enjoy visiting and learning about some of the centuries-old locations around the Land of Enchantment, La Cienguilla Petroglyphs is a wonderfully fascinating place to explore.
When you arrive at the Cienguilla Recreation Area, take the La Cienguilla Loop. This moderately challenging 2.7-mile loop trail leads to an extraordinary historic site.
Before you get to the main attraction here, you'll have to watch your step as you hike along the trail. Some hikers who have reviewed the trail mentioned numerous tumbleweeds litter the path. You'll need to watch your step and maybe take a set of hiking poles with you to help yourself along.
The main attraction here is the hundreds of petroglyphs located on a basalt cliff. Most of the petroglyphs date back between the 13th and 17th centuries.
As this is an important historic site, please respect the area and do not climb on or touch the petroglyphs. And, as with any hiking trail, take everything you brought here back with you.
Have you seen La Cienguilla Petroglyphs? What’s another little-known destination in New Mexico you enjoy visiting? Let us know in the comments. To learn more about the La Cienguilla Petroglyphs, head to the Bureau of Land Management website. For trail information visit AllTrails and don’t forget to download AllTrails+!
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