Writing Rock State Historical Site, State historic site in Divide County, North Dakota.
Writing Rock State Historical Site is a protected area in Divide County featuring two granite boulders carved with ancient petroglyphs. The stones display engravings of thunderbird figures, interwoven lines, and circular designs etched across their weathered surfaces.
The age of the petroglyphs has not been determined; the North Dakota Historical Society suggests they could date from 1000 to about 1700. The smaller boulder was long kept at the University of North Dakota and was returned to the site in 1965. Both Sioux and Assiniboine peoples considered the site sacred.
The thunderbird figures carved into the rocks held spiritual meaning for Sioux and Assiniboine peoples, representing powerful forces connected to storms and the natural world. These images reflect how Plains tribes expressed their beliefs through permanent marks on the landscape.
The site provides picnic tables beneath trees, kitchen facilities, a playground, restrooms, and free parking. The stones themselves are protected by iron cages and shelters, making the petroglyphs easy to view without worrying about weathering or access barriers.
The smaller boulder was kept for years at the University of North Dakota before being returned to the site in 1965. The larger boulder measures four and a half feet high and four feet wide, with a flying bird surrounded by interconnected lines and circles on its flattest side.
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