Denis Julien Inscription

The Denis Julien Inscription is an ancient rock carving featuring a boat with a mast and a bird figure in Hell Roaring Canyon. The work sits on a rock face roughly 750 feet east of the Green River with carefully rendered details.

A French-American trapper carved this rock inscription on May 3, 1836, into the rock face. The marking belongs to a series of roughly eight known works this artist left between 1831 and 1844, documenting early travels through the region.

The carvings carry the name of Denis Julien, a French-American trapper who left his mark across the region. These rock etchings reflect how early travelers recorded their passage through unfamiliar lands they were exploring.

Access to the site begins from Moab through Hell Roaring Canyon, where visitors hike through the terrain to reach it. The location lies north of Canyonlands National Park in an area with clear trail markings and stable paths.

The sailboat carving on the rock raises questions about the navigation methods early trappers used against the strong currents of the Green River. Such detailed depictions of vessels at sites like this are rare and suggest an unusual artistic choice for rock art.

Location: Grand County

Inception: May 3, 1836

Creator: Denis Julien

GPS coordinates: 38.56361,-109.98389

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:01