Newspaper Rock is a petroglyph site displaying multiple periods of rock art. Petroglyphs are rock art chiseled and pecked into stone, while pictographs are composed of paint. There are examples from cultures dating from over 1500 years ago, to this century. The older art has been ascribed to the ancient Puebloan people who inhabited this region over two thousand years ago. Lighter in color, the more recent art has been credited to the Ute people who still live in the Four Corners area.
This two hundred square foot petroglyph panel has symbols etched in sandstone representing the Fremont, Anasazi, Navajo and Anglo cultures. This is an opportunity to see a great rock art panel without hiking or remote driving. The drawings consist of animals, human figures and many inexplicable symbols.
Newspaper Rock is located on Hwy 211. It is twenty five miles before the entrance to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and twenty eight miles northwest of Monticello. This Rock is fifty three miles south of Moab. This is one of only a few petroglyph sites that can be easily accessed. The site can be viewed and photographed at close range.
Newspaper Rock Recreation Site Information:
Entrance Fees- None
Elevation - 5,400 feet
Open - year round
Open - 24 hours a day.
Facilities - toilet
Parking - Yes
RV parking - Yes, including pull through parking for larger vehicles
The small campground across the road has a pleasant picnic area. Check with the BLM to make sure the campground is open. There are eight sites interspersed among cottonwoods along the Indian Creek. This campground has vault toilets and non-drinking water only. If it is open it is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is no fee.
One online reviewer noted, "We have visited some of the Indian petroglyphs elsewhere and find this one to be at the top of must see sites. It is loaded with examples of artwork that is clear and easy to view. The contrast of the rock's patina allows for excellent photographs in mid day sunlight. The rock surface measures about 30' long by 20 feet high. A low level railing and fence keep you back about 10 feet. A parking lot is located a few steps from the rock's surface. It is well worth seeing.
A second reviewer said, "If you are planning a visit to Canyonlands or Arches and are driving from Monument Valley or Mesa Verde, by all means take an hour and stop by Newspaper Rock...It is one of the finest examples of Indian rock art in the US.''
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