trips / utah/ san rafael swell

Hype

Buckhorn Wash has some phenomenal petroglyphs and pictographs. All have easy access. This is a great family outing most anytime of the year.

Trailhead

You can access Buckhorn Wash from either the north or south. Either route is passable by car under most conditions:

From the north:
Just north of Castle Dale, on highway 10, about 2 miles, find a side road heading east. The road is signed Buckhorn Wash. Follow this road about 15 miles to a signed junction, with Buckhorn Wash to the right.

From the south:
Take I-70 west from Green River about 30 miles, to exit 131. Take the exit, turning right. This road goes east, paralleling the freeway for a couple of miles before turning north. Follow this road 19 miles to where the San Rafael campground is, and the bridge over the river. The cattle guard marks the lower end of Buckhorn wash

Route

There are several great attractions in Buckhorn Wash. Below is the mileage either from the top of Buckhorn Wash (northern approach) and the bottom of Buckhorn Wash (southern approach).

0 From the South / 9.4 From the North
Cattle guard.

3.75 From the South / 5.65 From the North
Buckhorn Wash main panel. This area has information signs, a pit toilet, and is a great place for a picnic lunch. The panel used to be heavily vandalized, but has been restored in recent years. Please treat the area with respect, and do not touch the panel.

5.2 From the South / 4.2 From the North
Matt Warner inscription on the right. One of the bandits that roamed the area back in the old days.

7 From the South / 2.4 From the North
Right before a cattle guard (if coming from the south), find a pullout and trail heading east a short distance to a panel. This is a great panel.

7.9 From the South / 1.5 From the North
A pullout just up canyon from a bend leads to a short trail that ascends a short distance above the road on the east. There is a dinosaur track here in the slickrock floor if you look carefully.

9.4 From the South / 0 From the North
Top of Buckhorn Wash.

Photos (click on photo for more detail)

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