Round Trip Distance: 0.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5525 - 5540 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: Parowan Gap
Fee: none
Attractions: Petroglyphs
The Parowan Gap Petroglyphs are located about 9 miles west of Parowan, Utah and about 20 miles north of Cedar City. The site has a spectacular array of rock art etched onto numerous boulders and cliff faces on both sides of the gap from one end to the other. Due to its significance as an archeological resource the site was placed on the National Resister of Historic Places in 1969.
The shortest route from Interstate 15 is to take Exit 75 and turn right onto W200S. After a little over a quarter mile turn right onto 2200W. In another 1.7 miles turn left onto the Gap Road and follow it for 7.6 miles to the trailhead. You can also enter Parowan Gap into your driving app and it will guide you there because it is a well known destination.
From the parking area there is a paved path that leads past a wildlife viewing area to where the first of the petroglyphs are visible.
The surface of several large rocks are covered with scores of images leaving barely room for any more.
Most of the petroglyphs are believed to have been left during the Fremont period which took place after 500 A.D..
The petroglyphs continue all the way through the narrows of the gap where sidewalks on both sides of the highway provide easy access for their viewing.
While a fence on the north side of the gap keeps people from climbing around on the rocks the south side is open allowing for closer examination of the petroglyphs. Be sure not to touch them or do anything else that might cause damage and don't add any of your own markings.
Geometric designs are common throughout the gap.
Many of the images are unique to a particular panel even though most of the rock art has a common style.
This would be quite the information center if you had the same understanding as the people from that time.
