The Snake River Plain is by far one of Idaho’s grandest landscapes. Boasting dramatic canyons and gorges, and of course the Snake River itself, the area is simply as picturesque as can be. It’s a great place to explore today, but it’s been the home of the Northern Shoshone and Bannock people for thousands of years. If you look carefully, you’re bound to uncover landmarks that serve as a reminder of this fact, including the one-of-a-kind Map Rock in Canyon County.

The Snake River Plain have been part of the ancestral home of the Shoshone-Bannock people for thousands of years, so of course, evidence of their presence is abundant.
Tamanoeconomico/Wikipedia
Celebration Park in Canyon County is a destination that's especially rich in artifacts and petroglyphs from the tribe's early peoples. Walking through the park, you'll undoubtedly come across dozens of boulders with etchings believed to be 12,000-years-old.
NikonFDSLR/Flickr
Located right along the Snake River, this park is a fantastic spot to explore and learn about the Native Americans who have called these lands home for so long.
cifraser1/Flickr

Related Stories

A New Exhibit At Idaho State Museum Pays Tribute To The Trailblazing Women Of The Gem State

A New Exhibit At Idaho State Museum Pays Tribute To The Trailblazing Women Of The Gem State

 Housed Inside Of A 1903 Train Depot, This Historic Musem Is A Time Capsule Of Idaho History

Housed Inside Of A 1903 Train Depot, This Historic Musem Is A Time Capsule Of Idaho History

 Plan A Day Trip To Heart Of The Monster, A Historic Site In Idaho That's Also Downright Beautiful

Plan A Day Trip To Heart Of The Monster, A Historic Site In Idaho That's Also Downright Beautiful
However, one of the most fascinating archaeologic treasures can actually be found further along the Snake River, just north of Givens Hot Springs. This is where you'll find the lesser-known Map Rock Petroglyphs Historic District.
Jeff Love/Flickr
This area isn't as well-known as nearby Celebration Park because it simply isn't as easy to find and explore. However, seeing the massive, petroglyph-covered rock known as Map Rock is more than worth the extra effort.
cifraser1/Flickr
These petroglyphs are especially notable because they are believed to depict a map of the Snake River Valley. If true, this rock would hold the oldest map in the world!
Jeff Love/Flickr
The county acquired Map Rock and 34 acres of surrounding property in 2012, so hopefully the area will be easier to access and information on Map Rock will be more readily available in the near future. For now, be sure to stop by and get a glimpse at the extraordinary Map Rock for yourself.
Linda, Fortuna future/Flickr

Have you seen Map Rock or any of the surrounding petroglyphs yet? Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Idaho

Featured Addresses
Map Rock, Idaho 83686, USA