Legend Rock, Petroglyph archaeological site near Thermopolis, Wyoming, US

Legend Rock is a petroglyph site in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, 20 miles northwest of Hot Springs State Park. Its rock face holds nearly 300 individual petroglyphs, most of them preserved for public viewing, representing some of the oldest and best examples of Dinwoody rock art.

Indigenous peoples carved the petroglyph panels between the 6th and 17th centuries on the sandstone surfaces. The site remained largely forgotten until modern times when it was rediscovered and recognized as an important record of prehistoric Plains cultures.

The petroglyphs belong to the Dinwoody rock art tradition, whose origins are still debated. Visitors can look for figures with interior-line designs and overlapping outlines, a hallmark of this style. The site is held by the state of Wyoming as a state historic site, and a wide majority of the etchings remain visible.

Legend Rock lies 20 miles northwest of Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, and reaching the panels means a 0.6-mile hike, so allow time and wear sturdy shoes. The site is open to visitors year-round.

The carvings display striking variation in size, ranging from a few inches to over 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall. Many figures overlap one another and feature interior-line designs, an unusual artistic approach that sets these petroglyphs apart from others in the region.