Utah Scenic Byway 279 Rock Art Sites
Utah Scenic Byway 279 Rock Art Sites
4.5
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4.5
422 reviews
Excellent
292
Very good
104
Average
24
Poor
1
Terrible
1
ilona
Spring Hill, FL46 contributions
Jul 2022
right there on 279, well indicated by a road sign, many petroglyphs on sheer cliffs - very cool to see, not too far off from the main road 191 in Potash. You drive a little further and will see another sign for dinosaur footprints on a steep small road (almost need a 4x4) so we did not venture there. Were happy to see the rock art.
Written 6 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard K
Yakima, WA319 contributions
Oct 2021
We almost did not go to see the petroglyphs and we were both so glad we did. Take the time to drive along the Colorado River for about an hour to roads end. The canyon and the rock formations are great. Plan on spending a half hour or less looking at the rock art.
Written 5 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mtzennmaster
Kapolei, HI1,527 contributions
May 2022
It is amazing how many petroglyphs are along UT 279 just outside Moab. Follow the road along the Colorado River and behold ancient art and even Dinosaur tracks. If you are waiting for your "timed" entry to Arches, spend an hour or so and cruise 279, we are happy we did.
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken H
West Bend, WI62 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Very cool for this ancient art to have survived thousands of years! So much of it to see here too! Look up when trying to view it because it is no longer at the same height it was at when carved. Much rock was removed to create the Scenic River Byway. Almost looks like giant men or even spacemen are depicted there! Cool piece of history!
Written 3 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd B
Cincinnati, OH63 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Short side trip along the Colorado river just north of Moab. Free. Just watch out for people pulling into the parking area while you’re scanning the rock walls. Our group of seven with ages ranging from 14 to 75 enjoyed this stop.
Written 24 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thekansaspyet
Middletown, CT711 contributions
May 2021
This road, that follows the Colorado river up close and personal, has fantastic rock scenery. Along the way we saw rock climbers on the cliffs by the roadside. We easily saw Jug Arch, a potash mine at the end of the paved road, and got to stop along the Colorado river bank. It was a very pleasant side trip on our vacation, and we would recommend it.
Written 6 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MemoryMaker5
Ohio1,315 contributions
Jun 2021
I had read about this road here on Trip Advisor. I'm so glad we drove it to find the rock art. It's not very far along...you can't miss it for the signs and there will probably be some people lingering about looking at the high rock along the road. Super cool, extensive collection of drawings. We also saw rock climbers that frequent this area. Dont' miss it.
Written 7 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
houstonnative47
Missouri City, TX1,037 contributions
Oct 2019
Thanks to my reading what I could about the area mainly on TA did I know about these sites. Highway 279 is not far north of Moab. It is a winding road also called Potash Road. While driving along admiring the scenery all of a sudden there is a sign announcing the petroglyphs. The walls that they are on are right next to the road and are amazing. This drive should be on your to do list while in the area as it doesn't take too long to drive it.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ec1234
Louisville, KY111 contributions
May 2022
This is another hidden gem. We stopped by the visitors' center and they recommended this, so the next morning, early, we drove out to Potash, where the road just ends. Along the way are great views, including the rock climbers, which was fun to watch. We also had great views of the Colorado River and the Petroglyphs up close. It was a great way to spend a few hours and it is right up the road in Moab.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stargateman
Orange County, CA204 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
Next to the road, there are many panels of petroglyphs to see and take pictures of. Binoculars are very helpful for those way up on the cliff faces. Depending on the time of day, they will be easier or harder to see because of the sun. Near the end of the rock art area (I think it is called Poison Spider Trail) , there is a hiking trail to go see a couple of dino paw tracks that have been highlighted in white so you can see them. The trail continues and there are more petroglyphs and more tracks. There are a couple of glyphs on the way up to the first tracks. If you like the rock art, this road and its stops are well worth the time. There are many other public rock art sites in the Moab area.
Written 4 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you see the petroglyths without hiking. I would just like to see some from the car.
Written 17 February 2019
If you go south from Moab on Hwy 163/191 (towards Blanding and Bluff, about 40 miles, just before Monticello, is Hwy 211, where you can head west to the "Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs". This is an easily accessible place to view one of the most spectacular petroglyph sites in Utah. There is a parking lot and restroom just off the roadway, and a paved pathway that is wheelchair accessible that goes past the base of a cliff with petroglyphs. Google it to confirm (posting rules preclude me from adding the website).
Written 18 February 2019
How long is this round trip drive? My husband and I are 75 and I use a wheelchair so we would not be getting far from the car. Is there enough traffic that if we had car trouble someone would probably come along. Is there cell phone service in the area?
Written 24 August 2017
The first stop was easy with a larger side median, we found it easily with there being a tone of rock climbers not far up the road.You do have to pay attention to the brown road sings. The first stop was actually the best, it had artwork that spread across the tall rocks.
The second stop (the dino footpring) was easy to find as well. The turn and parking lot was all rock. There was a sign as well but the terrain to get to the art/dio print is very rugged. My family only stoped at the sing "overlook"
We did not find the final artwork turn off. Honestly the first stop was the best part. If I had to do it again I wound only do the first stop.
Written 30 August 2017
I am having trouble finding this road on the map. On Google 279 appears to follow the Colorado River. I can find the Potash Road Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs. Is that the location of the petroglyphs or are the more easily seen on what appears to be a gravel road or turnouts that are accessed opposite from Williams Bottom? Could someone give an approximate mileage distance from Moab?
Thanks very much.
Written 22 April 2017
That's the one - as you leave Moab heading towards Arches - 279 is on the left. It follows the Colorado River on the left (nice views) and it is a cliff on the right. You will go by cliff climbers first and then there will be petroglyphs (also on the right - with parking on the left). Further down - there is a dirt hill to a dirt parking lot where you can see the dinosaur prints in the cliffs - you can also hike up to them.
Written 23 April 2017
how far do you have to drive in before you start seeing them? I went on google maps and put the little guy onto the road and never once saw a sign. I think I went into it pretty far..
Written 15 April 2017
The ride is not that far. The Native American drawings are before you get to the parking lot where you can see the dinosaur footprint. But there are no signs marking the drawings, so you have to keep a sharp eye on the canyon walls (helps to have a passenger do this).
Written 16 April 2017
My mother is in a wheel chair, is this all accessible?
Written 6 July 2016
Great views for mobility challenged folks. I know it's far from your situation, but we took our disabled Corgi in his stroller.
Written 10 July 2016
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