WHITE MOUNTAIN PETROGLYPHS

 TURN THE PAGES OF WYOMING’S ANCIENT STORYBOOK

Discover the White Mountain Petroglyphs near Rock Springs, where you will find a unique version of southwest Wyoming’s history told through etchings in the sandstone walls of White Mountain. 

The Plains and Great Basin Native Americans who lived in this area (roughly 200 to 1,000 years ago) left behind a legacy of their lifestyle in the form of hundreds of fascinating carvings. Whether your interests are photography, history or hiking, you can enjoy all of them at this incredible, sacred site.

A HISTORICAL LEGACY

White Mountain is part of the Green River Formation, which was formed by Lake Gosiute more than 30 million years ago. If you search the base of White Mountain, you may be able to find shells from another era.

Located in the upper Wasatch Formation, the White Mountain Petroglyphs are a permanent reminder of the Indigenous peoples who called present-day Sweetwater County home. With a 300-foot cliff face as their canvas, the area’s earliest-known human inhabitants created rock art that tells the stories of another time.

Anyone can learn about southwest Wyoming’s history in the pages of a book or with a click of the mouse. But to visit this remarkable site gives you the chance to view the stories told by those who lived it.

DIRECTIONS

Head up U.S. Highway 191 about 10 miles north of Rock Springs. Turn right at CR 4-18 (at the sign that reads: Petroglyphs, Sand Dunes, Boar’s Tusk). Then left at CR 4-17 and drive about 14 miles on the dirt road until you reach the White Mountain Petroglyphs sign. Turn left onto the rougher dirt road and drive about 2 miles until you reach the Bureau of Land Management parking lot. From there, you’ll hike for 1/4 mile on a dirt-packed foot trail to the petroglyphs. 

Disclaimer: This is a true “off-grid experience,” so cell service is limited! Make sure you have extra water and a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle with thick tires (and a spare tire) to traverse the dirt roads. Let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return.

Take a virtual tour of the White Mountain Petroglyphs or explore more local history at Sweetwater County’s museums.