The Painted Rock Petroglyph Site is located approximately 20 miles WNW of Gila Bend, Arizona and approximately 90 miles southwest of Phoenix. It is dominated by a an outcropping of large, tumbled rocks and boulders.
As you walk around the designated path, you will see hundreds of symbolic and artistic rock etchings, or "petroglyphs," produced centuries ago by prehistoric peoples.
There are also inscriptions made by explorers and settlers who passed through during historic times.
Many well-known events in Arizona history occurred near the Petroglyph Site, including the expedition of Juan Bautista de Anza who founded San Francisco. The Mormon Battalion also passed near this area, as did the Butterfield Overland Mail.
On the day I was there, wisps of clouds made the sky more interesting.
Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site receives the greatest visitation
from October through April. At other times of the year, the desert
is very hot and the area receives little use.
The temperature in the winter varies from freezing at night to
near 80° F during the day.
The summer temperatures vary from near 70° F at night to near
120° F during the day.
There is no drinking water available at the Painted Rocks
Petroglyph Site, so bring plenty. One gallon per person per day is
a good guideline to follow.
You may encounter rattlesnakes or other poisonous creatures,
including Gila Monsters. Watch out for them and be careful where
you put your hands and feet. If you see one of these elusive
creatures, enjoy watching them from a distance but do not harass
them. Most bites result from people trying to catch or kill these
reptiles.
During your visit, do not stray from the designated trail and
do not climb on the rocks or make your own marks on them. Several
of the rocks have been defaced by ignorant visitors and some rocks
have been broken or tumbled due to people climbing on
them.
The "Painted Rock" Geocache is located nearby.
This area was previously part of the Arizona State Park system, but jurisdiction of Painted Rock Petroglyph Site reverted to the Bureau of Land Management in 1989.
Visit Instructions:1. You may log as many different waymarks as you wish but you may only log each one once.
2. You must include a close up photo of the pictograph and your GPSr. The pictograph must be recognizable.
3. Tell a little bit about what you learned of the area.