Nine Mile Canyon Guide | Petroglyphs, Driving Tour & Map
Westwater Books Field Guide
Nine Mile Canyon Driving Tour
The World’s Longest Art Gallery: over 100,000 petroglyphs along 45 miles of Utah backcountry
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The Canyon
A Scenic Backcountry Byway since 1990, entering the Green River at Sand Wash.
Nine Mile Canyon is renowned for its ancient pecked and painted figures. For at least 600 years, Fremont farmers built homes here. Euro-American history begins in 1877. A wagon road improved by the U.S. Army in 1886-1887 was one of Utah’s most important freight routes for 30 years.
Mile-by-Mile Driving Tour
Mileage from Wellington. Road is paved but watch for truck traffic.
Caution
Be alert to high-speed traffic and trucks from natural gas operations. Pull fully off road when stopping.
MM 22-23
Minnie Maud Creek
Entering the canyon. Old homestead sites visible.
MM 24
Nine Mile Ranch
Working cattle ranch. Bunk ’n Breakfast offers lodging and guided tours (9mileranch.com).
MM 27
First Petroglyph Site
Long-necked sheep petroglyphs. A good introduction.
MM 28
Cottonwood Glen Picnic Area
Rest stop and base for nearby panels.
MM 31
Harper Ghost Town
Turn-of-the-century hub with post office and school. Now a photogenic ruin.
MM 32
Balanced Rock
Called "Pig Rock" by early residents. Nearby "Balloon Man" petroglyph.
MM 33-35
Harmon / Trail / Currant Canyons
Multiple side canyons with petroglyph panels via short walks.
MM 38
Nutter Ranch
Preston Nutter purchased Brock’s Place in 1902. Center of his cattle empire across the West Tavaputs Plateau.
MM 39
Gate Canyon
Turn-off for Sand Wash (Desolation Canyon put-in) via Gate Canyon Road.
MM 43
Rasmussen Cave
One of the most famous archaeological sites in Nine Mile.
MM 44
Daddy Canyon Complex
Major petroglyph concentration. Large Fremont figures and hunting scenes.
MM 46
Great Hunt Panel
One of the best-preserved rock art sites in Utah. A highlight of the drive.
MM 47
End of Public Road
Paved road ends. "Pregnant Buffalo" petroglyph nearby.
Conservation Note
Nine Mile Canyon made the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of America’s Most Endangered Places in 2004.
Planning Your Visit
Access: From Wellington, UT, take Nine Mile Canyon Road northeast. About 1 hour to main sites.
Time: Full day for major sites. Highlights in 4-5 hours.
Fuel: Last gas at Chevron in Price. No services in the canyon.
Best time: Spring and fall. Summer exceeds 100 degrees.
Conditions: BLM Price Field Office, 435-636-3600.
The Complete Nine Mile Canyon Map
Belknap’s Desolation River Guide includes a detailed Nine Mile Canyon archaeology map with petroglyph sites, ghost town sites, and driving route.
Get Belknap’s Desolation River Guide →See also: Horned Snakes and Axle Grease by Jerry D. and Donna K. Spangler. Published by Westwater Books, Evergreen, Colorado.