Mar 25 2008
Green River Rock Art
The central Utah region is full of rock art sites depicting the lives of the Anasazi hundreds of years ago. It’s fascinating to find new panels to view. And we found an outstanding display just seven miles outside of Green River on a secluded canyon road.
Carole checks out the rock art site.
Green River has a wonderful new brochure listing a half-dozen easy sidetrips from the small town at the intersection of US 6 and I-70 about an hour north of Moab. We like making Green River our base of operations with The Orange Jeep. If you pickup the brochure, it will give you detailed directions and a map. If you want directions, just drop me a note.
The site features a wonderful set of rock art on the southwest side of the boulder. Much of the design is hidden by another large rock, also making it challenging for photos.
If you continue down the road, you’ll come upon an old mine site. We didn’t go past the gate as we wanted to back and explore the rock art. But it clearly continues well into the canyon.
Hi Tom and Carole,
I am the owner of the historic Midland Hotel in Green River, Utah. I just noticed your photos of the site at Coal Canyon and the detailed directions on how to get there. It is with great kindness and good thoughts that I ask you to remove the directions and PLEASE rename the site. We are experiencing an alarming rate of destruction of these sites. Easy access via ATVs is rapidly despoiling these sites ate unfortunately though I am sure you are considerate and respectful in your travels… others are not. These people are defacing these sacred places and scaring the land with their machines. Though it may make you feel good about “your discovery” what it really does is INCREASE the rate of destruction.
Once upon a time not long ago very few knew of this site (even local sheep-hearders) now we are seeing blazed trails, defaced rock art, piles of beer cans and landscape marred with ATV tracks! PLEASE REMOVE the directions and RENAME it for yourselves… it might even be a little more fun that way! Thank you in advance, Gary Orona, President- Green River Filmworks, LLC