McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs

Posted in Hikes
Updated November 2, 2019

There are some amazing petroglyphs located on private property near Vernal. You can stop and see these petroglyphs for a $5 donation for your entire group. This particular group of rock art has some amazing pictures and is well worth the short drive from downtown. The McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs are right behind someone’s house, so make sure to be respectful to the property owners.

We loved the petroglyphs at McConkie Ranch.

From the parking area, walk up the small slope to the base of the cliff. The petroglyphs are found about a quarter mile to the left of the parking lot. These petroglyphs are in a unique “Vernal style,” which includes figures shaped like an inverted trapezoid. This means that they all look like they have very broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

The trail begins just to the right of the port-a-potties. It is very well signed.

The ribbons along the rope fence mark the trail up to the petroglyphs.

The trail goes right along the base of the cliff, and you certainly can’t take a stroller, but it is easy enough on foot. Keep your eyes on the cliff wall. There are bright, obvious renderings, but there are also subtle swirls and shapes that don’t stand out. After a short distance, the trail splits with one fork heading back toward the parking lot.

The trail walks along the edge of the cliff. There are lots of petroglyphs along these rocks.

We really enjoyed all the different types of petroglyphs along the trail.

There are small petroglyphs all over. So keep your eyes peeled.

There are also huge panels of people and animals.

Don’t turn back, though. Instead, continue along the base of the cliffs. Some of the best rock art is out along the last spur of the trail. There is even a guy named Big Foot for obvious reasons that our kids laughed at pretty hard. We felt that the best petroglyphs were along this further trail, so make sure to keep walking. The trail sometimes has rocks in it and is narrow. Once you reach the end of the trail, you’ll walk back the way you came. The total distance is about 0.8 mile.

Some areas are steep climbs over rocks. So be careful!

Some petroglyphs are so easy to see, while others are more faded.

Many of the petroglyphs are numbered helping you see where the archaeologists have categories them.

As always, make sure that you don’t spoil these antiquities by touching, adding or scratching the art. As my friend in elementary school used to say: “Look with your eyes, not with your hands!”

It is so disappointing to see these amazing petroglyphs ruined because people have not shown respect for these ancient drawings.

There is also no shade along this hike. Morning is the best time because the mountain side keeps the sun away for a bit longer, but evening would be nice, too. It would be quite hot in summer in the heat of the day, so be prepared.

Directions

McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs are located at 6228 McConkie Rd in Vernal. We had cell service all the way, so we used our phones to navigate out there. The drive is beautiful along the way, too.

For other family-friendly adventures near Vernal, check out our post about Things to do in Vernal.