Indian Canyon Pictographs, Southern Utah 2025

 August 2, 2025

I decided to take the opportunity to go with a church group to see the Indian Canyon Pictographs in Southern Utah. Because I don't have a 4 wheel drive vehicle and one is definitely needed to traverse the last 5 miles of deep sandy track, it was the perfect opportunity to join friends that had the needed vehicles.

The trailhead is located about 54 miles (or just over an hour) from Hurricane, Utah. To get there, I took highway 59 (also 100 south) out of Hurricane for 28 miles just past Colorado City, Arizona, where I took a left onto highway 237 (which turns into Coral Pink Sand Dunes Road) and followed it for about 20 miles, just past the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. From there, I took a right on Hancock Road which can be easy to miss if you're not paying attention. You'll take Hancock Road for about 3 miles or so (I didn't clock this so this is an estimation) where a small dirt road beaks off on the right and heads to a small dirt parking area. One landmark that might help locate this turnoff is that it is not far past the Ponderosa Grove Campground (slightly less than a mile). At the dirt parking area there is room to off load a side-by-side or 4 wheeler if you are pulling one in a trailer. Otherwise, proceed with your 4 wheel drive vehicle back down the sandy road which turns back in a south-westerly direction (you're basically going around the back side of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes). 

This road is impossible to get through without a 4-wheel drive. In fact, our 4-wheel drive SUV almost got stuck on the way out because the sand is so deep in spots. It is also just wide enough for 1 vehicle which very few turnouts along the way so if there are vehicles coming in the opposite direction, it can be difficult to figure out a way to pass. (One thing I will consider for next time is to actually hike this part of the road since I don't have a 4-wheel drive vehicle. It would be a difficult hike through sand and not much shade and would add about 9-10 miles to the hike, but it would be doable). The road here has a moderate amount of elevation gain and loss, up and down a generally sandy track with some rocks that must be driven over here and there. Also, about half way through this road, the road splits with a sign indicating that the left fork (service road 50) will take you to the pictographs.

If you notice how sandy the road is, it is just like this through most of the drive.

 

Although the sign doesn't indicate where the right fork (service road 51) goes, I was told that it ends in a canyon overlook viewpoint. 

Eventually the road takes you to a small parking area, big enough for about 7 or 8 vehicles, and a signed trailhead indicating the Indian Canyon Pictographs.

There is also room for maybe 2 vehicles behind where I'm taking the picture from.

 

This sign indicates that the trail is 1.5 miles and has a 1700 foot elevation change. I have no idea where these numbers are coming from because the trail ends at the pictographs and to that point is only about .4 of a mile and 270 feet elevation change. 

Once through the trailhead signs, it is about a half mile to get to the pictographs. The trail descends about the entire way to the pictographs, losing about 270 feet of elevation in total. The trail, made mostly of just native sand, is easy to follow. There are a few sections where rocks must be navigated to descend (or ascend on the way back). Those sections would be considered a difficult class 2 or easy class 3. We had 2 members of our group that were around 80 years old and both were able to make it with much assistance. 

This is one of the areas of the trail where you have to do a little climbing.

This is the last portion of the trail before reaching the pictographs.

The trail ends at the pictographs which are found in a cool, shaded alcove which was home to Indians hundreds of years earlier. The exact time the pictographs were made is under some dispute with some believing they date back to 70 BC-400 AD while others believe they were most likely made between 1000 and 1400 AD. Either way, the pictographs are really cool to see. Depicted on the art are the faces of 12 people (sometimes referred to as the 12 apostles), along with many other full body drawings of people and animals. 

This is what awaits you where the pictographs are.

It is in a very secluded area and we didn't encounter any other people while we were there. I was very glad that I went to see this incredible piece of history. If you'd like to see a video of the pictographs, you can see it on my YouTube channel by clicking here. Here's a look at more photos from the trip. 

And here are a couple maps that might help finding the trailhead:

Petroglyph Point Trail, Mesa Verde National Park 2023

 June 29, 2023

Although the Spruce Tree house has been unfortunately closed since 2015, the Petroglyph Point Trail is a great way to see the tree house from a far and also hike close to some smaller structures. Along the way the trail also takes you to some really neat petroglyphs. The trail which starts at the Spruce Treehouse Overlook near the Chapin Mesa Museum, is a loop trail that is about 2.4 miles long. It is listed as strenuous on the official website, but I was able to hike it easily in late June with my 16, 14, and 9 year-olds. The trail is well marked and easy to follow and starts by winding its way just below the rim of the canyon and returns to where it started by ascending to the rim of the canyon and leisurely making its way back to the trailhead There is only one spot that might be difficult for the elderly or people with conditions that limit mobility and that was just past the petroglyphs which requires a 4 foot climb to start the ascent back to the rim of the canyon. Here's a look at the hike in pictures:

This is near the Museum where the Spruce Tree House overlook is and where the Petroglyph Point Trail and Spruce Canyon Trails Start at the same place.

Here's a map of the area.

A look across the canyon at the Spruce Treehouse.

My daughter, Judi, and son, Trey, on the trail.

Here's where the Petroglyphs Point and Spruce Canyon Trails split. Up to this point from the trailhead, they are the same trail. We took the left to the petroglyphs.

A look at the trail not long after the trail split. It is easy to follow, but at times it isn't on level ground.

One of the few grotto's the trail passes through on the hike.

Here's a look at one of the ruins that the Petroglyph Point Trail takes you to.

An optional, difficult climb off of the left side of the trail will take you to what is left of another old ruin.

Judi also had fun exploring the natural caves along the trail.

We took a rest at the petroglyphs to have some snacks and enjoy the beauty of the area.

Just past the petroglyphs, the trail starts climbing toward the rim of the canyon. Here's a look at my 9 year old, Judi, using the foot holds that have been carved into the rock to help her climb up to get to the trail (where my son is in the background).

Once up the 4 foot climb, the trail continues ascending over uneven ground.

Once back to the rim, there are some amazing views...

...and the trail flattens back out.

I was originally planning on doing the Spruce Canyon hike, but when I saw the sign for the petroglyphs, I decided to go check them out, not realizing that it was the Petroglyph Point Trail. The 2.4 mile hike took us about one hour and 20 minutes to finish. 

Hovenweep Castle Hike, Hovenweep National Monument

June 28, 2023 

We decided to take a family trip to 4-corners monument, Hovenweep National Monument, and Mesa Verde National Park. After stopping at 4-corners, Hovenweep was our next stop and we decided to take a quick hike to see some of the ruins. We stopped at the Visitor Center to have our passports stamped but it was closed. The trail we wanted to take, the Hovenweep Castle Trail, was also located just behind the Visitor Center so we found it and headed on our way. The hike takes to past several old ruins from a Unit-Type structure to a structure built across the gully under an eroding boulder, and finally to the Hovenweep Castle. The trail is very well maintained and easy to follow and should pose little to no difficulty to even the most novice hikers. It is really more like a walk on a dirt trail. There is very minimal elevation gain and loss and even at the end of June in the 90 degree heat, it wasn't a problem for myself, my 16 year old, 14 year old, or my 9 year old. When we got back to the Visitor Center, we got a drink from the drinking fountain. The hike was a little under a mile long and took us about an hour at our leisurely pace.

Here are some pictures of the hike, ruins, and the trail:

Here's a look at one of the first ruins you come to - the Eroded Boulder Houe. It is across the gully.

A very short distance away is the Unit Type House which is closer on the same side of the gully, but roped off so you can't go in it.

Here's a look at the trail just past the Unit Type House on the way to the Hovenweep Castle. As you can see there is no shade so if attempting this hike in the summer and the heat bothers you, wear a hat, long sleeves, and bring plenty of water. 

A look at Hovenweep Castle...

Here's another look at the Hovenweep Castle with another ruin just off to the right. We didn't hike to this one, but it was a very short hike to get over to it.

The trail does a loop and comes back to a sign that points out many of the ruins along the Canyon.

Back at the Visitor Center after the hike was finished.