During our spring 2026 trip to Utah, we found Petroglyphs and Dinosaur tracks just off of Potash Road near Moab. This was a nice surprise for us as Potash Road was the road we were taking for our Corona Arch Hike and these were a great find along the way.
Location
The Potash Road Petroglyphs and Dinosaur tracks are located near Moab, Utah. Just take US-191 north from Moab and turn left on Utah 279 which is Potash Road. After 5 miles you will see a sign for the first petroglyph wall and also a pull out for you to park. To reach the Dinosaur Tracks and also more petroglyphs continue on Potash Road for about .7 miles. You will see a parking lot and follow the signs.
Potash Road Petroglyphs
There are three spots where we saw petroglyphs while driving down Potash Road near Moab, Utah. The part of Potash Road we drove runs between the Colorado River and also some impressive sandstone cliffs. It is a very beautiful drive. The indigenous rock art makes this road even more interesting! When you add in the dinosaur tracks, rock climbing, and the hike to Corona Arch, this is a must take road in this area.
The first two petroglyph spots were on the side of the road etched into the sandstone cliffs. This site is located just after the climbing wall at mile marker 5 and it is a lso marked by a sign. Just look up and you will see the different petroglyphs from different eras all along this stretch of the road. It is actually quite exciting! We saw both the Archaic and Fremont Peoples work.
Archaic Petroglyphs: These petroglyphs were created during the Archaic period (6,000-1,000 BC. Identified by odd looking humans or animals (anthropomorphs and zoomorphs), zigzags, wavy lines and spirals.
Fremont Petroglyphs: These petroglyphs were made during the Fremont period (450-1300AD). Identified by depictions of hunting scenes and bighorn sheep. Furthermore, one of iconic petroglyphs on this wall is the petroglyph of the Bear. You can find him just a bit further down the road. There is also an interpretive sign just across the road facing the petroglyph.
Dinosaur Tracks and More Petroglyphs
Just down the road from here, at the Poison Spider turn off, you will find the Potash Road Dinosaur Tracks and Rock Art. To be honest, this is probably one short hike I could have skipped. Lots of climbing over uneven rocky terrain. Some of the rocks were big and also quite a stretch for my short legs. I may have been a bit whiny, although all in all, it was really cool to see. The way back down was worse than the up and I was happy to be back on the road.
First Dinosaur Tracks
These dino tracks are about 190 million years old! That is a hard number to fathom! The first tracks we saw were towards the top of the hillside on the sandstone rock. It is quit the climb to get here and a relief when standing below the tracks on the flat ledge on the upperhill. These tracks belonged to the plant eating Ornithopod specific to this location, called the Anomoepus Moabensis. As you can see, these tracks are faint and you have to look pretty close.
Petroglyphs
Continue walking along the edge to see the petroglyphs. These are more distinct than the dinosaur tracks. I actually found them more interesting. These petroglyphs are the artwork of the Fremont People dating from 450-1300 AD. You will see handprints, big horn sheep, anthropomorphic human like figures, and linear patterns. These are not only fun to see, but fun to ponder on what message or idea may have been intended.
Second Dinosaur Tracks
The second Dinosaur Tracks were even harder to get to as you have to climb down the steep rocks on the east side of the cliff. More than once I wondered why in the world is a 60 year old woman on this cliffside. These tracks are on the backside of a fallen slab. The footprints are fossilized three-toed tracks of the meat eating Theropod. Specifically the Eubrantes or Grallator species.
After this we climbed back down, which was not an easy task and headed to our next destinations of the day, Sego Canyon and Hunter Arch.
Conclusion
The Potash Road petroglyphs and the dinosaur tracks and rock art are both great cultural and historical sites in Utah. The first petroglyphs are easy to access for anyone as they along the road side. The dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs are much harder to access. Although the path is short, it is steep, slick, rocky, and uneven. There is no true path on much of it. I would not attempt this if you have mobility problems, balance issues, or don’t like heights. That being said, in retrospect, even though I didn’t love this hike, it was well worth the effort. Another thing to note is the Potash Road runs along the Colorado River and is a pretty drive.
Planning
I find the National Geographic Day Hike Map to be helpful when hiking in Moab. You can find the Amazon link here.
I also like the Best Easy Moab Dayhike Guide. You can find the Amazon link here.
For my favorite hiking gear and snacks, check out My Amazon Store at this link.
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Wow, the petroglyphs look so well-preserved, not so faded into the rock! Fascinating to also see dinosaur tracks and to know that they once existed so many years ago…thanks for sharing!
It is exciting to see these tracks and wall art. I guess there is more in Utah than I knew!
I remember doing this hike and thinking the same thing about it – cool, but so many rocks. Looking forward to your next one, as it’s not a place I’ve been!
There were definitely rocks! We had planned on going on to Longbow Arch but I had enough and the โpathโ there looked even worse! Hoping to get my Sego Canyon post out in the next few days!
How incredible to see so many petroglyphs. Some of them are in pretty decent shape considering how old they are. The dinosaur tracks are pretty fascinating as well.
We didnโt know how much we enjoyed seeing this ancient rock art. My next post covers an even more impressive site at Sego Canyon. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Itโs probably better itโs difficult so the โinfluencersโ wonโt think they need to add their โtouch of magicโ to improve the site like some potentate who will remain unspoken.
Thatโs for sure!!