Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park, Native American rock art site in Santa Barbara County, United States.

Chumash Painted Cave is a shallow, irregularly shaped sandstone cave in a 7.5-acre state historic park. Its smooth walls hold numerous mineral-pigment drawings attributed to the Chumash, apparently depicting their cosmology and other subjects. A metal gate protects the art while allowing viewing.

The cave dates back between 200 and 1000 years ago and documents artistic practices spanning multiple generations of Chumash people. The site was established as a state park in 1976 to protect the artworks from damage.

The drawings are attributed to the Chumash and are thought to depict their cosmology. The site is among the few California state parks where original Chumash rock art can be viewed in person. Graffiti left by early white settlers is also visible on the cave walls.

Reach the cave from State Route 154 on Painted Cave Road, about 5 miles north of U.S. 101 in the San Marcos Pass; the narrow one-lane road has tight turns and steep sections, so trailers and RVs are unsuitable. Parking is a slightly widened shoulder for one or two vehicles beside the cave. Flash photography is prohibited because it can harm the art; flashlights and long exposures with a tripod or camera braced on the metal gate are used instead.

The pigments were made from natural minerals like charcoal and ochre, showing how artists used materials from their surroundings. These handcrafted techniques were preserved across generations and offer insight into ancient artistic practices.