Native Rock Art of Utah

These ancient pieces of art tell the long-forgotten stories of the region's natives. Documented in stone, they have withstood the ages to communicate from beyond    . . .

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A Look at the Prehistory of Utah's Native People

​The areas we will be exploring are part of The Colorado River Basin. These lands have been inhabited by native hunter gatherer tribes for several thousand years. The Fremont Style is commonly represented in these parts and is named after the river that flows through this land. The Fremont culture was comprised of ancestors of the Hopi, Paiute, and Zuni. These hunter-gatherer people migrated into this area from the southwestern regions of what is now California. 

Before We Begin, Let's Talk About the Art

While the word "petroglyph" may at times be synonymous with rock art, there are different ways of achieving these lasting impressions in stone. "Petroglyph" technically means that it was carved or chipped into the rock. This can be accomplished by pecking into the rock with a smaller stone, or by another technique known as "abrading" (grinding) at the rock. 

"Pictograph" is another term you will hear when dealing with rock art. This means that the images were painted onto the surface. At times this may also be referred to as "rock varnish". Throughout this article we will explore the various styles found throughout this incredible area.

Note: It is impossible to place an exact date on rock art. Any timeframes mentioned are only approximations based on historical documentation.

Northeastern Utah

I took the below photo at The McConkie Ranch Site near the town of Vernal. This is a private property, but the owners do allow public visitations. There is a parking lot on site with a shed where you can sign the guest book and leave a donation which helps to preserve this important historical find. These specific markings were left behind by ancestors of the modern-day Ute sometime between 500 and 1400 CE, and are a good example of the appropriately named Vernal Style. ​

McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs

​From the parking lot a trail will lead you along a short hike to the base of the cliff where multiple Native American scenes await. This panel contains engravings of humanoids alongside animals mixed among geometric patterns. It is widely believed that swirls and spirals may represent water and air, while grid shapes are symbols of hunting (fences/nets). Patterns like this are abundant in the area's rock art, and you will begin to notice many other common themes as we continue across the region. 

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To the east of Vernal are the Swelter Shelter Petroglyphs. This impressive site can be found along Highway 149 near Dinosaur National Monument. There are small areas to park along the road, and it is just a short walk to the rock shelter. The photos below depict many animals, as well as humanoids with some interesting features. This could easily be described as ceremonial attire of a shaman, but I will let you decide. 

Note that the torsos of some beings tend to have an inverted triangular shape, which is signature to the Freemont style, but also found in the art of their ancestors as well. You will see more of this as we continue. 

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Southeastern Utah

Sego Canyon is a worthy stop if you are traveling between Vernal and Moab. These amazing displays of etched and painted beings can be found just north of Thompson Springs. The immediate area was once a mining town, but now all that remains is a few ruins scattered around multiple panels of art. 

Sego Canyon Petroglyphs

While we see the Fremont style represented here, many of these markings date back to the earlier Barrier people of the Archaic Period. This means that some of these could date back to over 4,000 years ago. There are also more recent markings left behind from the Ute. These Ute images depict Europeans on horseback, which helps to place this into a historical timeframe. 

Sego Canyon Pictographs

These shadowy figures seem to represent members of a group or could possibly display an ancestral lineage. It is commonly believed that many images portray ceremonial or religious events. Once again, we see what looks like head dresses on some of the humanoid beings. The addition of horns is also common in rock art, which seems to imply hybrid mythological creatures that can display both human and animal characteristics. Also notice that many of the figures of this style are solid shapes with no arms or legs. 

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​The Courthouse Wash Rock Art site is located near downtown Moab not far from the Lions Park. This one can be a little tricky to find. Your map probably shows it right alongside the road, but it is actually a short hike up the bank and along a ridge to get to the viewpoint that is marked with a sign and information about this specific piece. I recommend parking in the nearby lot and taking The Spanish Trail along the river to the unmarked pathway. 

Courthouse Wash

This is another site of the Barrier Canyon People, with figures similar to those found at Sego Canyon. These are also created by desert varnish applied along the smooth wall of a sandstone cliff. Notice that pictographs like these are typically only found in places that are protected from the elements, such as rock shelters. 

While you are in Moab, you should also take a short ride south along UT-279 to the Potash Petroglyph Site. This one is easy to find as it is marked with a signpost and a convenient pull-off just across the street from the Colorado River. If you have extra time, you can also backtrack through town to the other side of the water to see the petroglyph known as "The Birthing Scene". 

Potash Petroglyphs

Bonus Tips for the Area:

Search hard enough and you just might find the Wolfe Ranch Petroglyphs tucked away within a very popular nearby national park. 
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If you were to travel further south toward the Four Corners Region, there are a multitude of other rock art sites waiting to be explored. These are mostly of the Anasazi style that ranges form about 300 to 1300 CE. I'm saving that area for another adventure. 

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Central Utah

Located near the Capitol Reef National Park visitor center, a wooden walkway leads to a viewpoint of this scene on a distant wall. These markings are sometimes referred to as The Fruita Petroglyphs. The site has two sets of stationary binoculars which allows for a closer inspection. Unfortunately, I did not bring my zoom lens, so this photo is the best that I can offer. 

Fruita Petroglyphs

This etched display is once again of the Fremont style, and features the typical human and animal figures. Based on what can be seen here, this looks like it could have been an important hunting ground. Unfortunately, we can only speculate upon the exact meanings held within these visual treasures. Native rock art obviously served the purpose of keeping records, but also seems to reflect upon themes of religious and social significance as well. Some even display maps of the area signifying places of importance and territorial boundaries. 

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At many of these sites, you will notice a degree of vandalism, as modern people have left behind their own markings (like in this photo below). Simply touching can cause unintended damage as well. These pieces of native rock art are absolutely priceless, and once destroyed can never be recovered. Like with all archaeological sites, we must protect the past for our future generation to enjoy, so that we may all continue to learn from the wisdom of these long-lost cultures. 

Modern Vandalism on Rock Art

This has been only a small sample of the amazing archaeological scenery that Utah has to offer. Other sites of native rock art can be found scattered from Salt Lake City all the way to St. George. So do like I did. Get out there on your own archaeological road trip and do some exploring. You may even discover something that no one else has. 

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 You may also enjoy another one of my posts on
​Native American Archaeology here