The Nine Mile Canyon in Utah is a stunning, historical 40 mile canyon showcasing over 1000 panels and 10,000 images of petroglyphs and pictographs. Petroglyphs are carved, pecked or chipped into the sandstone panels. Pictographs are painted onto stone. The unique history of rock art in this canyon is attributed mostly to the Fremont Native American cultures.
The Fremont Culture
As you drive through this incredible canyon with desert mountain views and high sandstone canyon walls, you’ll find panels of mostly Fremont petroglyphs assessable right off the side of the road or within a short hike. The Fremont Native Americans inhabited Nine Mile Canyon around 300 A.D. to 1250 A.D. It’s always entertaining imagining the meaning and inspiration behind each petroglyph.
Directions
To reach the start of the canyon, head east from Wellington on US 191/6 onto Soldier Creek Road, 2200 East, at Walkers Food and Fuel Chevron Station (where you’ll want to make sure you have a full tank of gas and fill up water bottles before entering the long stretch into the canyon without any services!). You’ll then drive about 20 miles on paved and dirt roads to the start of Nine Mile Canyon.
The Canyon drive is about 40 miles along. Plan a full day to drive, view the amazing sights and take a few side hikes. I highly recommend this adventure exploring art history. I would suggest having a map to help you locate the panel sites on the side of the road; however, it’s also fun to find them yourself. Take your camera!