Before early settlers arrived in this area, the Shoshone, Arapaho, and Ute people inhabited regions of the Red Desert. Carving their art into the soft sandstone cliffs, they recorded hunts of elk and bison. Over a dozen panels, including hundreds of figures, were etched more than 200 years ago into the sandstone bedrock of the Eocene Bridger formation. Some of the petroglyphs may be as much as 1,000 years old. Because of the number of carved figures this is one of Wyoming’s premier rock art sites.

Because several of the drawings depict animals within animals, it is believed by some that the area was a birthing place for the Plains and Great Basin native American people. Handholds worn in the stone may have served for generations of women to grip the rock during labor. It is a sacred place for the Native American people, and visitors are encouraged to respect the reverence of the area.

Approximately 26 miles northeast of Rock Springs—from Rock Springs, take U.S. Hwy. 191 north for 10.5 miles and turn right on Tri-Territory Road (County Road. 4-17). Continue another 10 miles and turn left at the White Mountain Petroglyph sign.

• Get directions from Google Maps.
• Get directions from MapQuest.

Map Coordinates (NAD83): 41 53.370N; 109 15.587W

• See Canyon Country Weather for more information.
• Sunrise/Sunset

• See Pets in the Parks and Backcountry.
• See Encountering Wild Animals.

• The BLM recommends that travelers visit the site in a vehicle with high clearance during good weather.
• The site is without facilities, so take plenty of food and water, and travel with a full tank of gas.
• See Backcountry Considerations.
• See Backcountry Emergencies.