Three Rivers Petroglyph Site New Mexico

Once again, we're backtracking. We visited Three Rivers in December while making our way to Quartzsite.

The Three Rivers Petroglyphs Site is one of the few locations in the Southwest set aside solely because of its rock art. It is also one of the few sites that gives visitors direct access to petroglyphs. The number and concentration of petroglyphs here make it one of the largest and most interesting sites in the Southwest. More than 21,000 glyphs of birds, humans, animals, fish, insects and plants, as well as geometric and abstract designs are scattered over 50 acres. The petroglyphs at Three Rivers date back to between about 900 and 1400 AD. They were created by the Jornada Mogollon people, who used stone tools to remove the dark patina on the exterior of the rock. The views from the petroglyphs site are truly amazing! The white caps of Sierra Blanca towers above to the east, and to the west the lava fields of Valley of Fire.

The site is located 17 miles north of Tularosa, NM, and 28 miles south of Carrizozo, NM on US 54. Turn east from US 54 at Three Rivers onto CR B30. Travel 5 miles on paved road, following signs. There are two hook-up RV sites at the petroglyphs site.

Further down the road from the petroglyphs site is Three Rivers Campground, and an entry point into Lincoln National Forest.

We actually camp at the campground in the National Forest as an earlier post states. We didn’t do to much hiking while we where there, as there where storms in the mountains. The view was breathtaking, and the wildlife in the campground kept us plenty entertained. We saw small herds of Elk, a few mule deer, and coyotes. Our photo album on the right side of this page has excellent pictures of the petroglyphs site and Three Rivers campground