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The Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground is located approximately 90 miles southwest of Phoenix, Arizona. The site provides visitors the opportunity to view an ancient archaeological site containing hundreds of symbolic and artistic rock etchings, or "petroglyphs," produced centuries ago by prehistoric peoples. There are also inscriptions made by people who passed through during historic times. Several historic trails lie within the campground. The [Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail](https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/national-scenic-and-historic-trails/Juan-Bautista-de-Anza), The Butterfield Overland Stage Route and the Mormon Battalion Trail are three trails that played prominent roles in the history of Arizona and the American West. Visitors can learn about the site and historic trails through professional interpretive panels located on the site. Overnight camping is allowed at the adjacent Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground. The campground has picnic tables, grills, steel fire rings, and a vault toilet. No potable water is available at the facility.
Exit Interstate 8 at Painted Rock Dam Road/Exit 102, approximately 12.5 miles west of Gila Bend. Travel north on Painted Rocks Dam Road 10.7 miles to Rocky Point Road. Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site is 0.6 miles west of Painted Rock Dam Road on Rocky Point Road.
$2.00/vehicle for day use, $8/vehicle/per night for camping
What is now barren hot desert used to be a rich community of Tohono O Odham people. The massive amount of petroglyphs carved into rocks with a thin volcanic layer are forever witnesses of once golden days for this nation. Unfortunately large agricultural projects still active today, destroyed entire eco systems as we also can witness today in many parts of our once green and blue planet. All the water of the Gila River is consumed by monocultures and massive cow farms nearby for the American hamburger madness. The natives had to flee their own land… an all too familiar story of economic greed.
Lots of well preserved Petroglyphs. Stayed at campground 4 nights ( need to book online in advance). Sites are huge and very well spaced. No services. No fresh water or dump site available. Dumpsters available. Quiet place, not much to do outside the Petroglyphs but enjoyed some down time.
Reservations for camping have to be made on line but don't expect cellular service anywhere near the site. The Petroglyphs were good and worth the visit. Vault toilets and trash cans, picnic tables and fire rings are it. No electric or water...
Excellent place to camp for a night. Campsites are spacious and sit far apart. Incredibly quiet and wide-open. The nearby petroglyphs are interesting and there’s a day use area. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. Best for RVs, vans, trucks. But you could pitch a tent, just don’t have a lot of privacy. This is a beautiful, remote, find that makes you appreciate work done by the Bureau of land management and national parks / national monuments.
