Next on our May/June 2026 trip to Utah is Sego Canyon to explore the petroglyphs and pictographs. This was not on our list but a gentleman we had been chatting with at the Potash Road Petroglyphs told us about the petroglyphs and pictographs in the nearby Sego Canyon, some dating back 8000 years. Of course we were all about this and decided it needed to be added to our to do list right away.
Location
Sego Canyon Petroglyphs and Pictographs is located North of Moab, Utah on highway 191. Turn east on Interstate 70 and take the Thompson Springs Exit. Next take Thompson Canyon Road and drive through Thomson Springs. The road turns into Sego Canyon Road and the site is on your left about 3 miles north of Thompson. All in all it is about a 45 minute drive from Moab.
Petroglyph or Pictograph
Although I have heard of both petroglyphs and pictographs, I did a bit of research to find out exactly how they differ. Petroglyphs are made by carving, scratching or pecking on the surface of a rock. This removes the outer weathered part of the rock which reveals the lighter stone underneath. This is a more durable form of rock art. Both petroglyphs and pictographs are found throughout Utah but at Sego Canyon you will find both! This makes Sego Canyon a great find!
Pictographs are made by applying pigments to the outer layer of the rock. Similar to painting. Pigments were made from charcoal, clay, sap, and yellow, brown, purple or red ochre. Because pictographs are exposed to the elements they typically do not last long due to fading. Because of this, pictographs are often found in caves or other naturally protected areas. Interestingly, these at Sego Canyon did survive and you can easily see them.
Sego Canyon in Utah has both of these techniques which makes this area even more exciting to see.
About Sego Canyon’s Rock Art
Sego Canyon is quite amazing as it contains rock art from three different eras of indigenous peoples of Utah. The rock art spans 4000-8000 years from roughly 6000 BC to mid 1800’s AD The most recent wall art is from early Anglo-American settlers and railroad workers dating around 1880.
Archaic Period (6000 BC-100 AD)
The earliest form of Rock Art in Sego Canyon dates back to the Archaic Period with the art work called Barrier Canyon Style. To me, this is the most remarkable style. These pictographs were drawn on the canyon walls when the nomadic hunters roamed throughout Utah and Sego Canyon. These earlier artists applied their pigment to the walls using brushes made from animal hair, yucca plants, and even their fingers. They blended the pigments with binding agents such as animal fat which set the stain into the stone walls over these thousands of years.
These pictographs show human like creatures, anthromophs, which are also somewhat alien looking. The pictographs may be depicting sacred rituals and also perhaps spirits transitioning to the afterlife. Of course there are those who believe these are actual ancient alien drawings! This theory gives an intriguing aura to this area which I liked!
Fremont Era (600 AD – 1250 AD)
The Fremont People drew petroglyphs of trapezoidal shaped humans and also liked geometrical designs. They combined hunting and gathering with early farming. The Fremonts lived in pit-houses, similar to the Ancestral Puebloans of this era, which kept them cool in the summer and warm in winter months. They made pottery and baskets and farmed the land. For more on Ancient Puebloans check out my Colorado Road trip which also included Mesa Verde. This was a few years ago but still a great trip!
For the most part, the Fremont People used petroglyphs for their form of art. They chisled, and carved away the outer layer of the rock to reveal the lighter stone making the object show through. Their depiction of people were more elaborate with details such as shields, headdresses, and jewelry. In addition, they drew bighorn sheep, deer, and hunting scenes. This artwork may have been describing successful hunting trips, or rituals. In 1300 AD a severe drought in this area caused the Fremont People to abandon the Sego Canyon area of Utah leaving only their petroglyphs behind.
The Ute Tribe Era (1300 AD-1880 AD)
The Ute Tribe lived throughout Utah and followed wildlife migration. They were a family type band and migrated together in their tribes. They lived in teepees and brush shelters which they could quickly assemble and disassemble as they relocated following their food sources.
The Ute art is much more narrative and also more detailed. Their art tells a story. Interestingly, their hunting scenes show riders on horses, which were introduced to the area in the 15th century AD by the Spaniards. There is also art showing the hunters using rifles instead of bows and arrows, a real sign of the changing times of that era. They also drew elaborate shields and geometrical designs. The Ute used both petroglyphs and pictographs together as can be seen in the Sego Canyon and other areas of Utah. Unfortunately, the Ute drew much of their artwork lower on the canyon walls which has endured much vandalism.
Anglo-American Era
In addition, early settlers to the area added to these walls as well. They carved their names, dates of passage and other types of identification. When the railroad was being constructed, a lot of vandalism to the rock art happened, even bullet holes were shot at the ancient drawings. To further scar this area, quarrying in this area from 1890-1911 used rock in this area for building. In 1988 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) initiated a land swap to acquire this area of Sego Canyon and started restoration of the site.
Conclusion
Sego Canyon in Utah is a fantastic place to visit if you like to see petroglyphs and pictographs. It is amazing to see so many from different eras in the same general vicinity. I would definitely recommend visiting here when you are in the Moab area. It is always fun to chat with people when traveling as you often find information of places you had never heard about.
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.
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Also Click on the Below Links for More Utah Fun!
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Thank you for describing the difference between petroglyphs and pictographs; I wouldn’t have known the difference! Lovely sites, a blend of nature and humanity in harmony.
I found the site and historical importance really interesting. Steve and I are a bit of a history nut so this was a perfect find! Thanks for commenting! Lori
I loved reading this, thank you.
Iโm glad you enjoyed it! Such an interesting place and I learned a lot here.
Wow, those are really well preserved pictographs! That’s hard to find. I’m going to add Sego Canyon to my list for next time we’re passing through the area.
Itโs a great spot and there is a ghost town somewhere in the area burger didnโt find it. Maybe you will!!