Piedra Pintada, Sandstone formation in Artigas Department, Uruguay

Piedra Pintada is a sandstone formation that rises noticeably from the ground and displays red and green tones across its surface. The coloring comes from moss growth that covers the rock and highlights the natural layering of the stone.

The sources record no documented first visit or inscription for this sandstone formation; the 1883 inscription attributed to L. Villar is not supported by them. The park beside the rock, Parque Congreso de Abril, opened in 1982, which is the only dated development the sources give for the site.

The park beside the rock is named Parque Congreso de Abril and opened in 1982. Its camping area has barbecue pits typical of Uruguayan asados, plus a cantine and firewood for sale. At the entrance, a small wildlife ecological reserve keeps native species that have disappeared elsewhere in Uruguay.

Piedra Pintada stands 17 km southeast of Artigas and 8 km from Ruta 30, inside Parque Congreso de Abril, opened in 1982. The park has a camping area with toilets, running water, electricity, swimming pools and barbecue pits, plus a canteen and firewood for sale. A small wildlife reserve at the entrance keeps native species that have disappeared elsewhere in Uruguay.

The red-green colouring that gives the stone its name comes from several species of mosses that have adhered to the sandstone mass. The park beside it, Parque Congreso de Abril, opened in 1982 and holds a small ecological reserve of native species that have disappeared elsewhere in Uruguay.