Aiken's Wash

Aiken's Wash is a 1,450-acre archaeological district in the Mojave Desert containing multiple rock art locations, including Aiken's Arch and Milky Way Caves. These sites hold petroglyphs and pictographs that document thousands of years of human history in the region.

The site shows evidence of continuous human occupation spanning 10,000 to 12,000 years, making it a valuable window into prehistoric times. The landscape was also shaped by volcanic activity, with the most recent eruptions occurring roughly 800 to 1,000 years ago.

The rockshelters display red-colored pictographs with patterns of human figures, circles, grids, and occasional depictions of animals or plants left by past inhabitants. These images offer insight into the artistic traditions of people who called this place home for thousands of years.

Visitors need appropriate permits and must follow archaeological guidelines to protect valuable historical resources at the site. Visiting with a knowledgeable guide is recommended to fully understand the significance of the various artworks and features found here.

The area contains extinct cinder cones and lava flows from two separate periods of volcanic activity that shaped the landscape. These geological features form a dramatic backdrop to the rock art and show how human presence and natural forces interacted across thousands of years.