There are so many different examples of petroglyphs near Moab, Utah that are worth making the trip to wonder at. Many different Native Cultures, dating back up to over 10,000 years ago, have called this land home. Some of the most intriguing evidence of these various cultures are the petroglyphs they left behind. I wanted to share some of the most intriguing and stunning examples of these in the area, as well as a guide to what you should and shouldn’t do near/with petroglyphs. I’ll also include some information on pictographs in the area as well!
First, What Are Petroglyphs?
Petroglyphs are made by striking a rock with another chiseling away the top surface of a rock to reveal the lighter colors underneath. These were carved in various shapes and were used to communicate messages using shapes as broader concepts. While archaeologists don’t know exactly what they were trying to communicate, they have been able to find patterns in different panels and are able to date them based upon the things they depict: like horses. They’re typically classified by the culture who created them like Fremont, Ute or Barrier cultures.
How Are Petroglyphs Different Than Pictographs?
Pictographs and petroglyphs are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is actually a difference. Pictographs are paintings done on top of rocks. There are beautiful examples of both in the Moab-area, sometimes even exiting essentially side-by-side. They’re known collectively as Native American rock art.
How to Respectfully Visit Pictographs and Petroglyphs Near Moab
and Beyond
The biggest thing to remember and practice if you’re visiting petroglyphs is to not touch or disturb them in any way. The oils from our hands can be very harmful to the pigments used to paint or even naturally occurring in the stone that can cause them to darken and become very difficult, or even impossible to spot. We definitely want to preserve these for generations to come.
Also, don’t vandalize any of these sites. This includes adding to panels or even etching into existing carvings. Obviously painting or writing on them is also a big no-no. These aren’t cultural works that we can get back once they’re gone.
My Favorite Pictographs & Petroglyphs Near Moab Utah
I have these pictographs and petroglyphs near Moab listed by proximity- nearest to farthest – using downtown Moab (Center Street and Main Street) as the jumping off point.
Courthouse Wash Rock Art Panel
WHAT TO EXPECT: This is a beautiful example of pictographs and even some smaller petroglyphs nearby, but the large panel of pictographs are the show-stealer. The oldest pictographs (the longer figures that taper off at the bottom) could be up to 4,000 years old. One of my favorite things about this site is the evidence that different cultures over hundreds & hundreds of years passed through this area.
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 3 miles // 6 minutes from Center Street + Main Street (191), downtown Moab
HIKE REQUIRED? Yes, this is a 0.8-mile easy hike up to this panel.
GETTING THERE: This is just a straight shot down Main street. From Moab, you’ll drive toward Arches National Park. Just after crossing the Colorado River, the road curves to the left, once past that curve there’s a small parking area to your right. This is the parking area for the Courthouse Wash Trail.
For the Love of Wanderlust tip: While this trail is technically part of Arches National Park, it doesn’t require a park fee or a timed entry to access this particular hike. This is a great stop if you’re waiting for your timed entry and don’t want to go far from town.
Potash Road Roadside Petroglyphs
WHAT TO EXPECT: These are by far the easiest petroglyphs to take in. They’re located higher up on the cliff face just off Potash Road. There are several small panels with a lot of really interesting shapes like a chain of anthropomorphic figures, sheep and even a bear!
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 9 miles // 13 minutes from Center Street + Main Street (191), downtown Moab
HIKE REQUIRED? Nope! These petroglyphs are literally visible from the roadside.
GETTING THERE: Again, you’ll go down Main (191) toward Arches National Park, over the Colorado River. Once you’ve passed the Colorado River, you’ll take your first left which is Potash Rd (279) and continue down it until you see the signs letting you know when you’re near them and a sign pointing out shapes to be looking for. They’re on the right side of the road on the cliff face above eye-level.
For the Love of Wanderlust tip: This is a great little add-on to a trip out to hike Corona Arch. The trailhead to Corona Arch is also located on Potash Road, just further down.
Birthing Scene Petroglyph Panel
WHAT TO EXPECT: Petroglyphs adorn four sides of a massive boulder, with multiple different subjects varying from bighorn sheep to snakes and anthropomorphic figures as well. The name “Birthing Scene” comes from one of the largest figures which appears to be having a breech birth. This is a very extensive collection very close to town, arguably one of the best examples of petroglyphs near Moab considering the proximity.
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 6 miles // 15 minutes from Center Street + Main Street (191), downtown Moab
HIKE REQUIRED? No hike, but a short sort-of scramble from the small car pull off. Watch your footing.
GETTING THERE: From Center + Main, head west toward 100 W. Take a right on 100 W and then the second left to Williams Way. When the road comes to a T, turn left on 5th W Street. 5th W Street will also come to a T at Kane Creek Road. The petroglyphs are located on the right side of Kane Creek Road, which is a little rough in places near the end of the route to the petroglyphs. If you don’t have a 4WD vehicle, just take it slow.
Ute Panel Near Wolfe Ranch
WHAT TO EXPECT: Beyond Wolfe Ranch, there is a small panel of petroglyphs that appear to be people on horseback and a group of bighorn sheep. These are accessible from the same parking area as Delicate Arch, which make it a beautiful addition to that hike. These are believed to have been created by the Ute people, making it easier to date because of the depiction of people on horseback.
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 18 miles // 38 minutes from Center Street + Main Street (191), downtown Moab
HIKE REQUIRED? Yes, a short 0.5-mile loop will take you to the petroglyphs or add it on to the Delicate Arch hike – less than a quarter mile addition total.
GETTING THERE: You’ll have to enter Arches National Park, which now requires a timed entry pass between the hours of 7am-4pm (get yours here). Then you simply follow the map and the signs back to the Delicate Arch/Wolfe Ranch parking area. The trailhead begins here. While I do think that this is an impressive petroglyph panel, I don’t think I would visit just for this, definitely make it part of your Arches National Park adventure.
Newspaper Rock State Historical Site
WHAT TO EXPECT: This is one of the most concentrated collections of petroglyphs in the entire country. Newspaper Rock (or Tse’ Hone in Navajo – which translates to rock that tells a story) has over 600 designs carved into its surface. It has multiple designs of different species of animals, designs, footprints and even footprints with evidence of polydactyly. There is a wooden fence around the base of the stone to protect it. But you can still get close enough to take it all in and keep it safe.
DISTANCE FROM MOAB: 52 miles // 57 minutes from Center Street + Main Street (191), downtown Moab
HIKE REQUIRED? Nope! There’s a parking area right by the rock.
GETTING THERE: Exit Moab in the opposite direction of Arches, toward Monticello. Stay on Main/191 for just under 40 miles and turn right onto UT-211 towards the Needles District of Canyonlands. Newspaper Rock is on this road to the right. There are signs marking it.
For the Love of Wanderlust Tip: While I did make the drive to see this on its own one time, I would recommend making it part of a bigger trip to either the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park or Bears Ears National Monument.
These are just a few examples of pictographs and petroglyphs near Moab, Utah. There are countless others from extensive panels and small etchings. I can’t wait to discover more each time we visit – and, of course, I’ll update this list as we do!
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Where to Stay for Your Own Moab Adventure
We’ve stayed at multiple different places in Moab, but these are our favorite thus far is Purple Sage Flats #2. This is a perfect place for a family to stay with a kitchen included and spectacular location. We didn’t have to drive anywhere downtown.
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