- Locale: Near Bluff
- Time: 1 hour
- Fee: None
This short walk along the San Juan River provides views of a series of petroglyph panels tucked away from the larger, and more well-known, Lower Sand Island Petroglyph Panel. As with the main panel, there is early Basketmaker, Ancestral Puebloan, Navajo, and Ute rock imagery.
Special Considerations
Pit toilets, a picnic area, and camping are available at Sand Island. No day-use fees are required.
- Tips For Visiting Here with Respect
Camp & Eat Away from Archaeology
Ancestral sites and structures are where Tribes and Pueblos believe their ancestors' spirits still reside. Camping, fires, and food can damage cultural sites and spoil the view for other visitors. Remember to pack out all your waste, including food scraps and poop.
Don’t Touch Rock Imagery or Make Your Own
Natural oils on your hands can destroy delicate rock imagery. Vandalism of petroglyphs and pictographs erases stories of early Indigenous peoples and destroys the experience for future visitors.
Guide Children Through Sites
Sacred cultural sites are not playgrounds. Teach children to respect these places so they can share them with future generations and become better stewards of the land. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t get hurt or accidentally damage cultural belongings.
- Maps and Directions
- Coordinates: 37.2622, -109.61207
- Directions:
From Bluff, drive west on US-191 approximately 3 miles, then turn left into Sand Island Recreation area. The trailhead to the upper panel is at the end of campground loop A.