Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument


This tiny recreation area showcases a single large sandstone rock panel packed with more than 300 petroglyphs attributed to Ute and Ancestral Puebloan groups during a 2000-year period. The many red-rock figures etched out of a black 'desert varnish' surface make for great photos. It's located 50 miles south of Moab, east of Canyonlands National Park on Hwy 211.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Manti–La Sal National Forest

4.86 MILES

Hundreds of trail miles crisscross this 1.4-million-acre park. In alpine terrain, the spruce- and fir-covered slopes offer respite from the heat (expect…

2. Canyon Country Discovery Center

11.71 MILES

As part of the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education, this hands-on, child-friendly learning exhibit center also offers field trips, workshops,…

3. The Needles

18.67 MILES

Named for the spires of orange-and-white sandstone jutting skyward from the desert floor, the Needles District is so different from Island in the Sky that…

4. Canyon Rims Recreation Area

18.72 MILES

The BLM Canyon Rims Recreation Area to the east of Canyonlands National Park has two interesting overlooks, undeveloped hiking and backcountry driving…

5. Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum

24.62 MILES

More a museum than a park, with ancient Native American artifacts and the best pottery collection in the Southwest. Informative displays provide a good…

6. Dinosaur Museum

25.79 MILES

Blanding's Dinosaur Museum is fascinating and highly ambitious; it's aim is to cover the complete history of the world’s dinosaurs. Mummified remains and…

7. Hole 'n the Rock

27.93 MILES

An unabashed tourist trap 12 miles south of Moab, Hole ’n the Rock is a 5000-sq-ft home-cum-cave carved into sandstone and decorated in knockout 1950s…

8. The Maze

29.02 MILES

A 30-sq-mile jumble of high-walled canyons, the Maze is a rare preserve of true wilderness for hardy backcountry veterans. The colorful canyons are rugged…