Canyonlands National Park Horseshoe Canyon
It is known for its collection of barrier canyon style bcs rock art including both pictographs and petroglyphs which was first recognized as a unique style here.
Canyonlands national park horseshoe canyon. Horseshoe canyon is a remote extension of canyonlands with significant ancient rock art and excellent hiking. This road is bumpy in places and high clearance is preferred. Learn more about the archeology of this place. Twenty miles northwest of the maze the horseshoe canyon section of canyonlands national park features a deep vertical walled ravine similar to many others in the neighborhood but the main attraction here are four ancient indian pictograph panels including the great gallery a collection of several dozen figures reckoned to be the best rock art of its type anywhere on the colorado plateau.
This stunning barrier canyon style pictograph panel has magnificent life size painted figures many decorated with intricate designs. Horseshoe canyon offers excellent hiking opportunities. Horseshoe canyon was added to canyonlands national park in 1971 to preserve one of the finest ancient rock art sites in north america the great gallery. Horseshoe canyon is a remote extension of canyonlands national park.
I have done this hike twice and at least one park ranger was there each time. Canyonlands national park horseshoe canyon originally barrier canyon is a detached unit of canyonlands national park that was added in 1971. Most visitors access horseshoe canyon from the west. Horseshoe canyon formerly known as barrier canyon is in a remote area west of the green river and north of the canyonlands national park maze district in utah united states.
The images are surrounded by depictions of animals birds and unidentifiable objects. Its intriguing rock art is often considered to be the most significant in north america. You will need to drive on a dirt backway to the edge of the canyon. It contains some of the most significant rock art in north america including the great gallery which offers well preserved life sized humanoid figures with intricate designs.
The canyon is not contiguous with the rest of canyonlands national park. Horseshoe canyon was added to canyonlands in 1971. Horseshoe canyon is a subunit of canyonlands np so park rules apply.