Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in southern New Mexico’s Robledo Mountains protects an extraordinary concentration of 280-million-year-old fossilized footprints from the early Permian Period. Scattered across desert hillsides, these trackways record the movement of ancient reptiles, amphibians, and insects across vanished tidal flats. The monument offers a rare chance to see the actual footprints of creatures that walked the earth long before dinosaurs, all set in a stark and quiet landscape just north of Las Cruces.
Best season — Fall and spring deliver mild temperatures ideal for hiking the exposed fossil beds; summer days can be very hot, and winter is generally cool and dry.
At a glance
The facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded facts for planning your visit — always worth confirming against current conditions before you travel.
Managing agency
Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District Office
State
New Mexico (Robledo Mountains, north of Las Cruces)
Defining feature
Preserves one of the world's most significant Early Permian megatracksites: fossilized footprints of amphibians, reptiles, insects, plus plants and petrified wood, dating back approximately 280 million years
Size
Approximately 5,280 acres
On the ground
Prehistoric Trackways National Monument protects a significant concentration of fossilized footprints dating back approximately 280 million years to the early Permian Period. These trackways reveal the movements of ancient reptiles, amphibians and insects across former tidal flats. The monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, preserves a unique window into prehistoric life in southern New Mexico’s Robledo Mountains.
RV travelers explore this national monument through self-guided hikes across the rugged desert terrain. Visitors can observe the impressions of early creatures etched in stone, gaining insight into an ancient ecosystem. The monument offers quiet observation and discovery of a globally important paleontological record within its approximately 5,280 acres.
The best time to visit Prehistoric Trackways National Monument is during fall and spring when temperatures are mild enough for comfortable hiking. Summer brings very hot conditions, while winters are typically cool and dry. Planning your trip around these seasons will enhance the experience of exploring the exposed fossil beds.
Consider establishing a basecamp in the vicinity of Las Cruces to explore Prehistoric Trackways National Monument. This area provides access to services and allows for day trips to the monument. From this location, you can easily combine a visit to the ancient trackways with other regional attractions and outdoor pursuits.
Official sources
- Bureau of Land Management — Prehistoric Trackways National Monument Bureau of Land Management
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Planning an RV trip near Prehistoric Trackways National Monument: An RV Traveler's Guide?
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