Three Rivers Petroglyphs
The Three Rivers petroglyph site contains one of the most numerous collections of petroglyphs in the nation. Of the various petroglyph sites in New Mexico we have visited, this site has by far the most. BLM says that there are over 21,000, and many are in excellent condition. In addition to the petroglyphs, you also get great views of Sierra Blanca and the Tularosa basin. |  |
Hike data:
| Controlling agency: | Bureau of Land Management; hike web site | ||||||||
| Location in the state: | South-central; | ||||||||
| Trailhead waypoint(s): | 3RIVERS 3RIVERSSHR | ||||||||
| Elevation: |
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| Elevation gain/loss: | 193 ft; 59 m. Elevation informtion from GPS data. | ||||||||
| Length: | 1.16 mi; 1.87 km. | ||||||||
| How long it took us (HH:MM): | 02:00. | ||||||||
| Cleanliness: | 10/10 | ||||||||
| Trail usage: | 10.50 people/hour | ||||||||
| Trail Condition: | The trail is gravel with some rocks, and it is well-maintained. | ||||||||
| Fee: | $2.00. This fee also covers camping in the non-RV campsites; see the Three Rivers BLM campground for details. | ||||||||
| When we hiked it: | 2005-03-19. | ||||||||
| Trailhead facilities: | Water, trash cans, toilets, picnic area. The trailhead is at the Three Rivers BLM campground. | ||||||||
| Special features of the hike: | History, scenery. | ||||||||
| When to hike: | All year. Snow might affect the ability to hike this trail, but I would not expect it to last long. Summer is likely to be hot. | ||||||||
| General comments: | The trail is interpreted. Pick up a guidebook at the trailhead. |
Maps:
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Getting to the trailhead:
On US 54 between Carizozo and Tularosa, between mile posts 96 and 96 is a large sign indicating a turn to the east on Otero county road B030, also known as Three Rivers Road and forest road 579. Take this road about 5.3 miles. At the sign indicating that the petroglyphs are 0.25 miles to the left, turn and the road dead-ends at the petroglyph campground and parking lot. The trailhead is under the shelter pictured at the right. |  |
The hike:
 | From the trailhead, you walk on the gravel trail and then pass
through a pedestrian gate. Climb a slight hill, and you get to a
bench with binoculars. This site (as well as much of the trail)
would be an excellent one for evening or morning photos. From here,
you can see White Sands gleaming in the distance. In this photo,
if you look at the large version you can just see the bench and
binoculars at the end of the trail (under the 2005 in the copyright
statement).
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The trail divides several times. Take one side on the way out, and the
other on the return trip.
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 | One of the early petroglyphs is this roadrunner.
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This circle with dots motif appears frequently. I wonder what it
represents.
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 | Animals obviously were important to the people who left their mark.
Here is a bighorn sheep.
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Many areas are quite dense with petroglyphs.
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 | Hunting is portrayed by this bighorn sheep with arrows in it.
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This is an early picture of someone wearing earrings.
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 | The petroglyphs are right beside the trail.
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When you reach this shelter, you are at the end of the official hike.
The guidebook says that there are fewer petroglyphs after this.
However, a ranger said that many of the best and most intricate are
beyond this point. We will re-visit and continue on next time.
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 | While you are looking at the petroglyphs, you might look up once in a
while to see the mountains in the distance (both east and west).
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Plants we saw along the trail:
Reader comments about this hike:
On Sat May 13 15:37:10 2006 Chuck from Alamogordo, NM said:Add your comments about the Three Rivers Petroglyphs hike.
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