Canyonlands Archaeological Sites

Canyonlands National Park preserves a vast collection of Ancestral Puebloan and Barrier Canyon style archaeological sites. This selection features significant rock art panels, such as the life-sized figures of the Great Gallery, and well-preserved masonry like the Fort Bottom Ruin. These sites, ranging from high-desert granaries to intricate pictographs in the Maze and Needles districts, provide physical evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Visitors can observe prehistoric handprints, symbolic art, and historic cowboy camps.

Great Gallery

Located in Horseshoe Canyon, this panel features life-sized Barrier Canyon style pictographs. The intricate, ghost-like figures date back roughly 2,000 to 4,000 years and are considered some of the most significant rock art in North America.

Horseshoe Shelter

A rock art site in Horseshoe Canyon featuring Barrier Canyon style pictographs and petroglyphs, located on the trail leading toward the Great Gallery.

Alcove Gallery

A significant rock art panel within Horseshoe Canyon featuring multiple Barrier Canyon style figures painted inside a large natural alcove.

High Gallery

A rock art site in Horseshoe Canyon situated high on the canyon wall, featuring ancient Barrier Canyon style pictographs.

Tower Ruin

An Ancestral Puebloan granary and defensive structure built into a high cliff alcove in the Horse Canyon area of the Needles District.

Fort Bottom Ruin

A prehistoric Ancestral Puebloan masonry structure situated on a prominent ridge overlooking a meander of the Green River.

Thirteen Faces Pictographs

A row of thirteen distinct red and white painted figures located in Horse Canyon, showcasing the artistic style of the Ancestral Puebloan people.

All American Man

A unique and well-preserved pictograph in Salt Creek Canyon, featuring a figure decorated with red, white, and blue pigments, dating to the late 13th century.

The Harvest Scene

Located in the remote Maze District, this Barrier Canyon style panel depicts figures associated with plants and harvesting, believed to be over 2,000 years old.

Roadside Ruin

An easily accessible Ancestral Puebloan granary used for storing corn and seeds, located along the main road in the Needles District.

Cave Spring

A natural spring featuring prehistoric handprints and pictographs alongside a historic cowboy camp with original wooden structures and artifacts.

Graneries

Prehistoric masonry storage units built into cliff faces to protect corn and other crops from moisture and rodents.