Petroglyphs and Pictographs
Many of the petroglyph and pictographs in the Moab region were created thousands of years ago! Sites located on public land, including within the National Parks and on BLM land, are of national significance and are protected areas. The preservation of these fragile and beautiful remnants from the past is our responsibility, and we must exercise caution to ensure that future generations can marvel at them as well. If you happen to encounter petroglyphs, pictographs, and rock inscriptions during your travels around the Moab area, please observe the following precautions diligently:
Site Visiting Etiquette
- Don't make your own inscription! Inscriptions were made to tell stories and mark important locations; in modern times, we do that by taking photos and writing about your experience, instead of carving on rock faces.
- Don't touch the surface of the petroglyph, pictograph, or inscription: You could damage the surface. Scratching on or near inscriptions causes irreparable damage and is illegal.
- Don’t collect or disturb artifacts or features at a rock art site. It is acceptable to pick up surface artifacts, examine and enjoy them, or make sketches or take photos of them, as long as they’re returned to the place where found, and no damage is done to the artifact.
- Please remember that many living people consider these sites sacred.
- Speak out when needed to prevent damage to rock art. Report new rock art destruction, charcoal near the site, or site vandalism to the Archaeological Resources Protection Act hotline @ 1-800-227-7286.
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The petroglyph panel is located next to the parking lot at the mouth of the canyon, protected by wooden fencing. You’ll recognize bighorn sheep-like and humanoid objects. Moonflower Canyon makes for a lovely walk, too: be sure to leave time to explore down the canyon, and keep your eyes peeled for more panels.
Trailhead: 38.554237, -109.587129
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Birthing Rock or the Birthing Scene petroglyph is a gorgeous and awe-inspiring site: this is a must-see stop in Moab, especially if you’re already in the Kane Creek area. Birthing Rock is a large boulder covered by petroglyphs on all sides; one side depicts a birthing scene and small footprints (hence the name!).
Trailhead: 38.521661, -109.602428
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The Courthouse Wash panel shows pictographs, not petroglyphs, meaning these images were painted onto the rock face instead of etched. It’s accessible via a short walk — you’ll have to park at a parking lot a bit down the road — and is technically located within Arches National Park. According to the park service, archeologists believe Indigenous peoples first painted the figures between 1,500 and 4,000 years ago.
Trailhead: 38.606841, -109.587685
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Just past the popular Wall Street climbing area and before the Poison Spider Trailhead is a pull out, which allows visitors to view 125 feet of petroglyphs — BLM signage specifically calls out a large bear-like shape. The round holes carved into the sandstone underneath the left side of the panel once held the roof poles of a structure excavated by archeologists prior to road construction.
Trailhead: 38.544455, -109.600122
A popular trailhead for off-roading activities and a hike to Longbow Arch. Visitors can also park here to do a short hike that accesses both dinosaur tracks — you can see the three-toed tracks from the parking lot — and another petroglyph panel.
Trailhead: 38.532850, -109.608824
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Located in Arches National Park, this petroglyph panel depicts hunting figures: the park in particular calls out the bow and arrows and horses depicted in the panel. It's accessible from the main Delicate Arch parking lot.
Petroglyphs In Southeast Utah
This is canyon country, a landscape defined by the forces of nature that have carved their way through the red sandstone for millions of years and still continue to perform their work. The human…
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