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Painted Rock Petroglyph Site — BLM
BLMGila Bend, AZ13.5h from Austin

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site — BLM

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Accessibility baseline: Sites on this platform are reviewed for access with a standard 2WD pickup truck towing a 21-foot travel trailer unless otherwise noted below.
Fee
$8/nt
Hookups
No hookups
Trailer
Accessible (2WD pickup + trailer)
Cell Signal
Poor
Water
Bring your own
Toilets
Yes
Best Season
Nov–Mar
Reservations
None — self-pay; 14-day limit

Highlights

  • Over 750 Hohokam and ancient petroglyphs covering a massive granite hillock — the most accessible major petroglyph concentration in western Arizona
  • Flat paved camping loop designed for RVs and trailers; vault toilets and trash service on-site at $8/nt
  • Complete Sonoran Desert isolation — dramatically cheaper and quieter than anything near the Phoenix metro

Planning Notes

From Gila Bend, take Painted Rocks Road (exit off I-8) north ~15 miles — the first stretch is paved, the last 3 miles are graded gravel and passable in 2WD. Summers are brutally hot (110°F+) — October through March only. From Austin: ~13.5 hrs via I-10 W to Gila Bend exit (AZ-85 N).

Contact: (623) 580-5500

Always call ahead to confirm conditions, closures, and road accessibility.