If you like history, hiking, and hidden adventures, you’ll love exploring the rock art found in the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site in southern New Mexico. Over 21,000 petroglyphs are etched into the volcanic rock – making it one of the largest collections of its kind in the American Southwest.
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Discovering the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site in New Mexico
As usual when travelling, we pulled out our maps and start looking a little closer at our route.
Three Rivers Petroglyph Site?
The words jumped off the map. A quick Google search and we knew this was a must-visit.
Petroglyphs are images or symbols etched or pecked into rock surfaces. At Three Rivers, thousands upon thousands of petroglyphs were created by the Jornada Mogollan people between 200 and 1400 CE.
It’s a massive outdoor art gallery waiting to be explored.
Let’s go!
Camping at Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
First things first, you’ll want to spend time exploring the site. Day use is $7/vehicle; dry camping is only $10/night. For the extra $3, you can settle in and enjoy the entire 3 Rivers Petroglyph Site experience – from sunrise to sunset to evening star show!
We were greeted by a friendly BLM camp host who pointed us to the Visitor Center to pay our fees. Inside, we found a small exhibit and a treasure trove of information—binders full of archaeologist sketches, research notes, and maps of the petroglyphs.
Each campsite includes a picnic table and shade shelter, with flush toilets nearby. After setting up, we set out for a short stroll to see some of the carvings glowing in the golden afternoon light.
Hiking the Petroglyph Trail
The highlight of any visit to the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is the 1-mile (1.6 km) out-and-back Petroglyph Trail—a slightly uphill hike with a huge visual reward. It begins right at the parking area and winds up a rocky ridge studded with basalt boulders covered in rock art.
Here’s what to expect:
- The trail is well-marked and moderately easy but has loose rock—sturdy shoes are recommended.
- Petroglyphs begin appearing just minutes into your walk—and they don’t stop.
- Many carvings are low to the ground, right at eye level.
Some standout sights include:
- A dramatic human mask staring back from a polished rock face.
- A detailed bighorn sheep mid-leap.
- Symbols that may have marked clan identities or spiritual events.
- Abstract spirals, grids, and geometrics whose meanings are still debated.
Pro Tip: Go early or late in the day when the angled light casts shadows across the rocks. The carvings practically jump out at you!
If you have time, wander beyond the main trail—there’s even more rock art waiting to be discovered off the beaten path.
Wandering the ruins of a Jornada Mogollan village site
Before you leave, don’t miss the short 0.25-mile walk from the parking area to a small but significant prehistoric village site. This was once a thriving settlement of the Jornada Mogollon people who left behind the petroglyphs.
Here, you’ll see:
- Low rock walls marking the remains of dwellings.
- Scattered potsherds indicating daily life (note: it is illegal to collect these – or any – remnants of the past).
- A partially reconstructed pueblo showing traditional building styles.
- Interpretive signs explaining daily life, agriculture, and trade in this region.
Adventures Beyond the Petroglyphs
Got more time? There’s even more to explore beyond the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site. Gravel biking, hiking, and quirky historic stops make this area an adventure lover’s paradise.
Gravel Biking in Lincoln National Forest
We loaded up the bikes and drove just past the cattle guard by the river crossing. From there, we pedaled about 6 miles (9.8 km) up a scenic gravel road to the Three Rivers Campground in Lincoln National Forest.
Along the way, we passed wide rangelands, startled a bull who wasn’t in a hurry to move, and spotted a small herd of elk. The campground—nestled at the base of Sierra Blanca—was just opening for the season and offered access to White Mountain Wilderness trails.
We didn’t hike this time, but we’re definitely adding it to the list for next time!
Scenic Day Trips
Looking for a great loop drive filled with history and scenery? Here’s a route we loved:
- Apache Summit (7,591 ft) offers panoramic views of Sierra Blanca (12,003 ft).
- Stop in Ruidoso for mountain town vibes and bike trails (note: 2024 wildfires may have impacted some areas).
- Visit Fort Stanton, once a Confederate outpost turned tuberculosis hospital. History buffs, this one’s for you! ($7 admission)
- Drive through Capitan and check out Smokey the Bear Historical Park.
- End your loop at Valley of Fires, home to one of the youngest lava flows in the U.S. Walk the 1-mile paved trail through jagged black rock, and don’t miss Vista Point for a sunset view.
And while in the area, don’t miss a short trip to visit White Sands National Park!
When you go
Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is a special place. It’s not crowded. It’s not flashy. But it is incredible.
You walk among thousands of voices—etched by hands long gone but still telling their stories. And with each step, you connect more deeply to the land, the past, and the people who once called this desert home.
Whether you come for the carvings, or the history, or nearby adventures, Three Rivers will leave an impression that lasts long after the desert dust has settled on your boots.
How to access Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
You’ll find Three River Petroglyphs Site tucked between the Sacramento Mountains and the San Andres Range, about halfway between Carrizozo and Tularosa on US-54.
- From Tularosa: Drive 17 miles north on US-54. Look for a small sign and turn right on County Road B030—a short, well-graded gravel road leads to the site.
- From Carrizozo: Head south on US-54 for about 27 miles. Turn left on the same county road.
- Nearest larger town: Alamogordo, about 30 miles southeast.
The site is accessible by car or RV. Cell service is limited, so download directions ahead of time.
Safety tips
- Watch for rattlesnakes, especially in warmer months.
- Wear sunscreen and carry water – shade is limited.
- Good footwear is essential for for climbing around boulders.
Let your next road trip take you somewhere timeless. At the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, the past tells a story through stone—and all you have to do is walk, look, and listen.
If you enjoy RV travel to rock art sites, check out these posts:
RV Travel Adventures: Nine Mile Canyon | Utah
Crane Petroglyphs Historic Site | Arizona
Picacho Peak & Petroglyphs | Arizona
New Water Mountains Wilderness: Another Arizona Adventure
Put This in Your Pocket: Nevada’s Mount Irish Archaeological Site
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