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Kings Crown Panel

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 1.4 - 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6059 - 6279 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: Dutch Flat Road
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs




The Kings Crown Petroglyphs are located in the San Rafael Swell east of Ferron, Utah. The site sits on a rocky outcrop at the crown of a hill with a commanding view of the area to the north and the west. The natural structure of the rocky outcrop, and others nearby, provided good places for the ancient inhabitants to build rock shelters in which to live for those times when they were staying in the area.


To get there from Ferron drive east on 100 South, aka the Molen Road.


After 3 miles turn right at the intersection that is marked with a sign for the Dutch Flat Road.


Follow the well maintained graveled Dutch Flat Road for 3.5 miles and turn right.


Immediately after turning off of the Dutch Flat Road follow the route to the left. There is one rocky ledge that comes up in a short distance that requires a moderate amount of vehicle clearance although a careful drive in most any vehicle might do fine.


A number of forks in the road come up where the route to Kings Crown is to the left each time. The one exception is a spot where you can go to the left around a group of rocks where there are a few faint petroglyphs and several rock shelters a short distance before reaching Kings Crown. The above photo is of Kings Crown and it can be seen to the north from the aforementioned group of rocks.


The Kings Crown Panel is fairly busy with a number of lines, symbols, animals and anthropomorphic Fremont style images.


While the images were etched deeply into the surface of the rock the patina has built up enough since they were made that they blend into the surrounding rock and appear faint although they are still very discernible when examined up close.


Rock shelters can be found beneath most every overhang and cubby hole. Remember that it is not only illegal to touch or deface rock art in any way it is also illegal to dig or excavate archeological sites or to disturb them in any way or to remove any objects or artifacts.


This is a photo that is looking down from Kings Crown at the 4wd road that serves as either an alternate route or a route that would complete a loop. There are a few rough spots and areas of loose rock but it is only about 3/4 of a mile from the Dutch Flat Road up to Kings Crown going that way. A hiker could definitely make use of the 4wd road for the shortest route. A mountain biker might have a more enjoyable time coming up the way that we did and either return by the same route or use the 4wd road to create a loop.


On our trip to Kings Crown we spent a lot of extra time hiking around anywhere that we saw boulders and it seems like we found either another rock shelter or at least an old faded petroglyph everywhere we looked. To make the most of a trip to Kings Crown we also suggest visiting the Molen Seep and Ferron Box sites that are both found nearby. As far as Kings Crown goes, if you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.