4.5Petroglyph National Monument(1.967 reviews) - Easy walk, great views, dog-friendly Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Historic Sites • National Parks • Geologic Formations
Up to 15,000 petroglyphs or prehistoric rock art images have been found on the West Mesa volcanic escarpment, located along a 17-mile canyon outside of Albuquerque.See more..
Being able to see the contrast of a volcano and ice cave at one location was intriguing and very interesting. This makes me want to learn more about how this can happen. Looking at the twisted pines, the roots of the trees on the mountainside and the grandeur of the volcano were worth the stop, and the price of admission. Take a little time, walk up the volcano first, so you can cool down in the ice cave.See more..
Beautiful white sandstone cliffs give breathtaking views.See more..
4.5Shiprock Rock Formation(172 reviews) - Out of this world rock formation! Geologic Formations
This rock formation and the nearby area is spectacular to see. Shiprock is rather isolated, but it was not much out of the way as we traveled from Santa Fe to Mesa Verde National Park. We approached on the south side heading west on (I think) U.S. 64. We parked right off the highway. There is a dirt road of sorts that will get you closer, but we thought it might be sacred land (although I saw no signs forbidding anyone from taking it). We got there around mid-morning and the angles for photography were very good.See more..
Sitting right by the side of the road, you can pull off the highway and walk down to the river and dam. Amazing rock formation that partially blocks the river flow with hole at the end of the rock letting water flow through. Very cool, worth a short stop.See more..
La Ventana Arch is about a 28 mile drive south of Highway 40. At about the nine mile mark is a Ranger Station with tons of information about the area and a Ranger who was not only very informative but also a really nice person. Traveling about another 10 miles south you come to a beautiful scenic overlook. Then at the 28 mile mark you come to La Ventana Arch, there is ample parking and Rest Rooms. A short walk takes you to the Arch itself. We made the trip here in just over one and one half hours from Albuquerque and it was worth the trip. The scenery is incredible and not to be missed.See more..
4.5Lion's Tail(86 reviews) - Very Rare Cave Feature Geologic Formations
An oddly-shaped stalactite with a pom-pom shape at the end.See more..
4.0Bottomless Pit(75 reviews) - Think About the First Cavern Explorers Geologic Formations
Pit in Carlsbad Caverns that looks "bottomless" but is actually 140-feet deep.See more..
4.0Battleship Rock(72 reviews) - Jemez River and San Antonio River Geologic Formations
My husband and I went to Battleship Rock on a Friday morning. I read that the parking lot fills up quickly so we did not want to miss out. We arrived at 9 am. The picnic area parking lot (near the YMCA camp) and day hiking parking lot (just off Hwy NM-4) we nearly empty. Battleship Rock has a few trails around it, lots of picnic tables, pit restrooms and some small bridges over the Jemez River and San Antonio River. There is a US forest fee of $5 per vehicle and is payable at the self-pay box. We enjoyed about 30 minutes walking around the area.See more..
4.5Rio Grande Gorge(71 reviews) - West Rim Trail Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Geologic Formations
This 800-foot-deep gorge in northern New Mexico offers exciting whitewater rafting, hiking trails around the rim and observation platforms with spectacular views of the winding river below.See more..
4.5Giant Dome(55 reviews) - Massive Both Height and Size Geologic Formations
One of the most impressive limestone formations in Carlsbad Caverns is the Giant Dome, which stands 62 feet high, 16 feet in diameter, and bears a resemblance to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.See more..
4.5Fajada Butte(36 reviews) - Astronomical site Geologic Formations
Located in Chaco Culture National Historical Park, this geological formation rises 442 feet and contains three slabs and spiral petroglyphs that mark the cycles of the sun and moon.See more..
4.5Tome Hill Park(33 reviews) - If "Climb a Volcano" is on your bucket list, this is the place Historic Sites • Geologic Formations
Overlooking the broad Rio Grande valley this is a sweet ( but steep) little hike. Used for "Stations of the Cross" on Easter there are three crosses at the top and also petroglyphs as this hill has been important for many dwellers of the valley over the years. There is a a sculpture park at the base with nice interpretive signs about the area .See more..
Only the truly adventurous ( and fit ) should consider this four-hour guided tour of one of Carlsbad Caverns' most captivating caves. Involves crawling through tight spaces, walking on slippery surfaces and getting dirty.See more..
We tried to find the Valley of Dreams trail but I don’t think we made it to the right place to get to the trail. We would have had to walk across land and I didn’t know if it was BLM or tribal land so I didn’t want to chance it. We went back to the designated parking area for the study area and accessed the area from there. It is just a sandy lot and then you walk down a dirt path to get to the study area. We used the All Trails app to walk around and see the different named formations. You do have to be mindful of the wind forecast because when you are down into the study area you can’t feel the wind much. When we left we could hardly see to walk with all of the dust flying at us. We were the only people out there so we felt a combination of peacefulness and eerieness!See more..
A large, natural rock formation providing breathtaking views.See more..
5.0Ljm Travel Center(1 review) - Great place to view Wagon Mound Mountain Thursday: 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM Geologic Formations Large parking lot perfect for viewing Wagon Mound MountainSee more..
5.0Owl Rock(1 review) - Great rock formation Spent < 1 hour Geologic Formations
Along Route 66 just around a bend in the road is a formation that looks like an Owl. The road is winding and narrow so it's difficult to stop and look or take a picture. I do have a picture as I was there in April and traffic was slow. I found a place to pull off the highway and walk to it. I just submitted this as a new entry and can't find a way to attach a picture. Will try to come back later.See more..
Simon Canyon is home to a Dinetah Pueblito which is situated on a huge boulder at the end of a short, scenic hike. Views down the canyon are awesome and the solitude is lovely. The trail is briefly marred by a gas well facility, but it quickly disappears behind you as you hike. The San Juan River is nearby and available for catch and release trout fishing. A trail parallels the north shore and gives hikers the opportunity to add a few miles to their pueblito walk, although it is more weedy and less camera friendly. The park area is easily reached from Aztec, NM, via route 173 and county road 4280. In our experience, this pueblito access route was much less congested by oil and gas trucks than those south of the river.See more..
Enchanted Tower(0 review) Geologic Formations A sport climber's paradise with numerous steep faces, well-protected routes and free camping.See more..
