Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument

Newspaper Rock sits on a section of Wingate sandstone coated with dark desert varnish that holds over 650 engraved petroglyphs. The carvings show human figures, animals like deer and snakes, and geometric patterns spread across roughly 200 square feet (19 square meters).

Different groups of Native Americans created these rock carvings over roughly 2000 years, starting about two millennia ago and continuing into the early 1900s. Archaic peoples, Anasazi, Fremont, and later Navajo left their marks on the same panel, each group adding its own styles and messages.

The Navajo name Tse Hone refers to the dark stone covered with countless carved images. Visitors can spot hunting scenes showing people aiming bows at deer and bighorn sheep, along with symbols that once marked boundaries between different groups.

The site lies about 28 miles (45 kilometers) northwest of Monticello along Utah State Route 211, with a paved parking area right next to the rock. A viewing platform with mounted spotting scopes helps make out individual petroglyphs on the tall panel.

Several carved figures show hands and feet with extra fingers or toes, a sign of polydactyly, a genetic trait. These depictions may suggest that people with this condition were more common in those communities or held a special role.

Location: San Juan County

GPS coordinates: 37.98806,-109.51833

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29