The La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs are just a short drive south of town in the serene area of La Cienega. Once you pass the Biosolids composting facility things get less shitty, we promise. The newly paved section of Airport Road makes the drive much more pleasant and once passed the airport, the natural world takes over. In this area there are hundreds of petroglyphs from the pre-Spanish era which can be found on volcanic rocks along the mesa, bordering the Santa Fe River.
Most of the petroglyphs were created by Keresan-speaking Puebloan people living in the area between the 13th and 17th century. Those tribes now live along the Rio Grande at the Cochiti and Santo Domingo Pueblo. Exploring this sacred site offers a chance to immerse yourself in local history and culture while finding art in nature instead of in galleries or museums. The flora, fauna and the natural habitat are honestly worth the drive on their own.
Have fun, but understand cultural resources in the vicinity are fragile and irreplaceable. It is against the law to climb or touch the petroglyphs in any way, so exploring this area with mindfulness and respect is important. You can find it on the map here and find more information about the park here.
Find more places to visit and things to do in Santa Fe on SFR’s weekly events calendar.
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