Utah’s Ancient “Message Board” Has 2,000 Years of Native American History Etched in Stone

Newspaper Rock, Utah

There’s a reason they call this place Newspaper Rock. This massive sandstone panel in eastern Utah holds over two millennia of stories, carved by different Native American cultures across thousands of years.

With more than 2,000 petroglyphs covering its surface, it’s basically an ancient message board where generations of artists left their mark.

Hundreds of Ancient Messages in One Place

Newspaper Rock isn’t just another rock art site. It houses over 650 individual petroglyphs, making it one of North America’s largest collections. When you visit, you’ll see carvings dating back 2,000 years that include people, animals, and various symbols.

The site contains markings from at least five different cultural periods. Look closely and you might spot the oldest images, created during Archaic times between 6000 BCE and 100 CE using simple stone tools to chip away at the rock surface.

People with Six Toes Were Special Here

Notice how some of those human figures at Newspaper Rock have six toes or fingers. This wasn’t artistic license.

Nearby excavations found that 3.1% of skeletons actually had this genetic trait, much higher than what we see today. These six-toed individuals were often buried with fancy items like turquoise jewelry. Their physical difference might have given them special status in their communities, possibly as healers or spiritual leaders.

Where Many Tribes Left Their Mark

Newspaper Rock tells a story spanning centuries, with contributions from Ancestral Puebloans, Fremont people, Basketmaker cultures, and Navajo tribes who all left their distinctive marks over time.

As you examine the rock, you can learn to spot the different artistic styles that reveal which culture created which images. The petroglyphs show how society evolved from nomadic hunting to settled farming.

The more recent carvings even show horses and European tools from when these cultures first encountered settlers.

How Rain and Bacteria Made the Perfect Canvas

The dark background where you see the petroglyphs isn’t paint. It’s called ‘desert varnish,’ a natural blackish coating created by manganese and iron deposits that form through rain and bacterial activity over hundreds of years.

This natural patina takes about 2,000 years to develop completely. The ancient artists made their marks by scraping through this dark layer to reveal the lighter stone underneath.

Thanks to the minerals in this coating, the images have survived weather and erosion for thousands of years.

The Family That Added Their Names to History

Among all these ancient carvings, you’ll spot more recent additions like the signature of J.P. González from 1902 when his family settled the land, and another from his son C.D. Gonzales added in 1954.

These names represent an important chapter in the area’s Hispanic heritage. González family members still live in San Juan County today. They maintain their connection to the site through stories passed down through generations and community events that celebrate this shared history.

Why Everyone Stopped at This Spot for Thousands of Years

Why did so many different groups leave their mark at this particular spot through thousands of years? Archaeologists believe it’s because of the dependable natural spring nearby that provided precious water in the desert environment.

When you explore around the spring area, you’re walking where ancient campsites once stood. Scientists have found soil samples containing evidence of farming activities dating back to 900 CE.

This water source wasn’t just for drinking. It allowed people to grow crops and establish more permanent settlements in this otherwise harsh landscape.

What the Navajo Call This Ancient Message Board

The Navajo people call this place ‘Tse’ Hane” which simply means ‘rock that tells a story’—our English name ‘Newspaper Rock’ basically says the same thing in different words. Diné (Navajo) traditions include specific stories about how the rock was created and what purpose it served.

When you hear modern Native interpretations of certain symbols, you might notice they sometimes differ from what archaeologists suggest, showing why indigenous knowledge is so valuable for understanding these ancient markings.

From State Park to National Monument

Newspaper Rock has gained increasing protection over the years, starting as a state park, becoming a State Historical Monument in 1961, and finally becoming part of Bears Ears National Monument in December 2016. The site earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places back in the 1970s.

Today, preservation efforts use advanced technology like photogrammetry to create detailed digital records without touching the fragile surface. New sensors monitor for vandalism and erosion damage, helping preserve the site for future generations.

Enjoy the Cliffs But Leave the Art Alone

While you can’t climb on Newspaper Rock itself, the surrounding Wingate sandstone cliffs in Indian Creek Canyon have become famous worldwide for challenging technical climbing routes.

The area features more than 250 established climbing paths, many named after inspiration from the nearby petroglyphs.

Local climbing groups help with conservation by volunteering for site monitoring and supporting educational programs about the cultural significance of the area they enjoy.

Why They Closed the Campground Across the Road

A campground that used to be located across from Newspaper Rock was closed in 2006 because of growing concerns about flash flood dangers in this narrow canyon. Geologists have found evidence of at least six major floods here in the last hundred years.

Since 2024, new warning systems have been in place that track rainfall upstream and send alerts to visitors when danger threatens. When you visit, take a moment to read the safety information about flash floods and note the evacuation routes, just in case.

Someone Added Santa Claus to the Ancient Art

If you bring a camera with a good zoom lens, you might spot something surprising among the ancient carvings—what appears to be Santa Claus with reindeer, carved sometime in the 1950s based on weathering patterns.

Plan Your Visit to Newspaper Rock

You’ll find Newspaper Rock on Highway 211, about 15 miles north of Monticello, Utah. Just drive 13 miles west from US 191 and follow the clearly marked signs.

For your GPS, enter coordinates 37°59’20.0″N 109°31’06.0″W.

There’s no charge to visit Newspaper Rock or drive through the Indian Creek Scenic Byway in Indian Creek National Monument.

You’ll have access to restrooms, plenty of paved parking including spaces for RVs, and a short gravel path leading to the petroglyphs with helpful information signs.