If you’re fascinated by Native American rock art and looking for unique travel destinations, you will LOVE exploring Utah’s Nine Mile Canyon!
Located just south of Price, Utah, you might miss it on your way to Moab as you drive down Highway 6. Do yourself a favor. Plan an extra day to explore this outdoor art museum. You won’t be disappointed!
Insiders Tip: Make your way to Helper, Utah and stay at Castle Gate RV Park. You just might make this a regular stop when heading south to visit Utah’s National Parks.
What Makes Nine Mile Canyon a Unique Travel Destination
Despite its name, Nine Mile Canyon is actually closer to 40 miles long and has been called the “World’s Longest Art Gallery.” It has been featured in National Geographic numerous times as well. Why? Because of the thousands of petroglyphs scattered throughout the canyon and created by several different Native American cultures most notably the Freemont.
More on the Freemont Peoples
The Freemont people lived in the region between 600 to 1300 AD. Named after the Freemont River in Utah, they were not a single tribe or nation but a complex cultural tradition. They built villages and pit houses usually near water sources. They would move to different areas depending on the season.
The intricate carvings and paintings they left behind on the rock surfaces provide insights into their beliefs, daily life, and interactions with the environment. The carvings often depict animals, human figures, abstract designs, and symbols that are believed to have held cultural and spiritual significance. While we don’t know the exact meanings behind many of these carvings, it is interesting to think about what was being communicated.
What You’ll Experience
Imagine getting to see the variety of images up close and personal instead of in the pages of a magazine. It is such a unique experience! Many of the petroglyphs require just a short walk from the pullouts located along the paved road making them accessible to nearly anyone.
You can also hike a short but steep trail to see the remnants of a Freemont village. Here you can see the outline of pit houses as well as some rock shelters. And the view is spectacular!
The canyon itself is beautiful too. You’ll be mesmerized as you look up at the towering cliff walls that glow in the sunlight. Don’t be surprised to see deer and jackrabbits bounding through the tall grasses as they come down to drink water flowing from Nine Mile Creek.
Nine Mile Canyon is also unique because of how quiet and peaceful the area is. You will rarely encounter crowds as you explore this travel destination.
Getting There
Turn north off Highway 191 at Miller’s Travel Center in Wellington, Utah onto Soldier Creek Road/N. 2200 E. This road will turn into Nine Mile Canyon Road which will take you along a paved road the entire length of the canyon.
Notable Stops
Here are a few of the spots we chose to stop at. You can find more information from the BLM here.
- Coyote Placing the Stars: Depicts a scene from Native American mythology featuring a prominent figure of a coyote reaching upward, seemingly arranging or placing stars in the sky.
- Owl Panel: A panel of petroglyphs featuring a large owl figure, as well as other images of animals and humans.
- Rasmussen Cave: Features a combination of geometric patterns and stylized figures.
- Freemont Village: The remains of ancient structures and artifacts providing insights into the daily lives and cultural practices of the Fremont people who inhabited the area over a thousand years ago.
- Big Buffalo: Showcases a vivid petroglyph depiction of a large buffalo, a significant animal in Native American culture.
- Great Hunt Panel: A large panel of petroglyphs depicting bighorn sheep and hunters with bows and arrows.
What to Bring, Things to Consider, Guided Tours
Grab a picnic lunch, your camera, plenty of water, and hiking boots if you want to explore deeper in the canyons. Not looking to hike? Sturdy tennis shoes should do the trick. You’ll also want to bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun is typically shining most of the time regardless of the season.
Speaking of seasons, always check the weather since flash flooding can occur or snow may still be on the ground. When we visited in April, there was snow leading into the canyon despite it being very sunny.
Visiting in the summer? Go early since it can get hot quickly. If you find yourself exploring in the afternoon, take it easy and listen to your body. It is more important than ever to bring enough water with you in the hotter months.
Did you know you can take a virtual tour? Thanks to Carbon County, you can check it out here! Looking for more of a guided tour? There is a really cool GPS-triggered tour you can download before you go.
Leave No Trace
Please be sure to treat all these areas with respect. You’ll want to avoid touching the petroglyphs and take care not to disturb the surrounding areas. Don’t deface the rock art, stay on the trails, and pack out anything you pack in. Let’s make sure we leave these artifacts for future generations to enjoy.
Go Explore!
Nine Mile Canyon truly is worth a visit. Take our advice and plan some extra time in this area to discover parts of history you might otherwise miss. With these tips, you’ll be ready to enjoy your day exploring one of Utah’s unique travel destinations.
Looking for more unique travel destinations? Read our post about hidden gems in The Swell!
Do you plan to visit this fantastic piece of history? Let us know by dropping a comment below.
See you out there!
