Dramatic Cliffs Adorned With Ancient Native American Art Hide in This Utah Canyon

Fremont Indian State Park, Utah –

A thousand years ago, the Fremont people ruled Clear Creek Canyon. They painted stories on rock walls, built homes in the cliffs, and lived off the land. When road crews found their art in the 1980s, we got a rare peek into their world.

Here are some of the best things to do and see in this Utah state park.

Look for remnants of massive volcanic eruptions

The landscape formed when eruptions from the Mount Belknap caldera created the Joe Lott Tuff, which is compacted volcanic ash.

The Clear Creek downwarp, formed 27 million years ago, created a natural passage between the Pahvant and Tushar Mountains, used by people for thousands of years.

Look for unique formations while hiking, including columnar jointing, hoodoos, and bubble caves formed by volcanic processes.

Check out the underground homes of ancient Fremont families

Explore a reconstructed pithouse near the visitor center showing how the Fremont people lived.

Original pithouses were partially dug into the ground and covered with brush roofs, a design that kept them cool in summer and warm in winter.

Panoramic views reward hikers on the 5.1-mile loop

The Centennial loop gains 314 feet in elevation as it passes countless examples of Fremont rock art with views from Five Finger Ridge.

Bring water, sun protection, and 3-4 hours to complete the full loop. The trail runs parallel to the park road and has a marked cutoff for a shorter hike.

Watch for desert wildlife including mule deer and cottontail rabbits.

ATV trails connect through the park on the famous Paiute Trail

The massive trail system runs right through the park, with access directly from Castle Rock Campground, where off-highway vehicles are allowed.

Both the Sergeant Mountain and Max Reid Trailheads provide parking, picnic tables, shade, water, fire pits, and informational kiosks specifically for riders.

The network connects to Marysvale Falls, Barney Lake, Manning Meadows, Monroe Peak, and Bullion Canyon, just don’t forget to register your vehicle.

Little Dog Canyon trail showcases ancient Fremont rock art

You’ll find incredible petroglyphs along this extremely accessible 0.3-mile paved trail with minimal elevation gain.

Don’t miss the fascinating Paiute Creation Story panel among the 697 documented rock art sites throughout the park.

Grab a detailed guide card from the visitor center to help you locate and understand specific features.

Ancient handprints cover the walls in the mysterious Cave

This 0.7-mile trail ranks popular with a 3.7-star rating from 64 AllTrails reviewers. Remember to bring your camera but don’t touch any of the artwork.

You’ll cross through special wildlife underpasses that safely guide animals beneath Interstate 70, starting at marker #9 on the Parade of Rock Art Trail.

Ancient handprints on the cave walls offer a timeless connection. The moderate trail includes some climbs, but the unforgettable experience makes it worthwhile.

Ancient Paiute initiation ceremonies once took place here

Head right for an excellent panel or left to see large panels atop a steep gully. The natural acoustics amplify sounds through this natural amphitheater.

At the trailhead, check out the map-like panel showing two canyons converging at your location. For the best view of the petroglyphs, visit in the morning.

According to Paiute tradition, this canyon was used for initiations, with each panel telling a different story used to teach initiates about manhood.

Elk, deer, and wild turkeys roam freely in the corridors

The canyon functions as a vital wildlife corridor with special gates and underpasses that help animals safely cross beneath Interstate 70.

Joe Lott Creek, flowing through Castle Rock Campground, attracts various species before feeding into the larger Clear Creek.

Watch for rattlesnakes too, which are generally passive but should be given plenty of space and treated with caution.

The Milky Way dazzles visitors in this dark sky park

At the junction of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, the park’s 1,200 acres create perfect stargazing conditions.

Mountains surrounding Clear Creek Canyon block light pollution, letting you see stars with amazing clarity. Ancient petroglyphs depicting celestial bodies show that early inhabitants observed the same stars we see today.

As part of Utah’s Dark Sky Initiative, the park actively preserves its pristine night skies. Try to visit during a new moon for optimal viewing.

Find authentic teepees at Castle Rock Campground

You can book one of two spacious teepees for just $35 per night (up to 8 people).

Located in the park’s southwest corner, these sites are unfurnished, bring sleeping bags, pads, and maybe a cot to avoid the chilly air below.

You’ll fall asleep to the sounds of Joe Lott Creek bubbling nearby. The teepees are available throughout the camping season from late April through October.

White volcanic ash bands decorate the towering rocks

Castle Rock Campground offers 31 single-family sites nestled in a beautiful canyon half a mile from the visitor center.

You’ll camp beneath striking rock turrets of layered sedimentary stone with distinctive white bands of hardened volcanic ash.

Amenities include drinking water and modern restrooms available from April to October. The campground can handle everything from tents to RVs up to 45 feet long.

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