Posted in Nevada
January 11, 2017
The Oldest Petroglyphs In America Are Right Here In Nevada And They’re Amazing
According to the Journal of Archaeological Science, petroglyphs in area near Winnemucca Lake in Nevada are possibly as old as 14,800 years, making them the oldest rock art found in North America. There are several spots in Nevada with ancient petroglyphs from previous Native American cultures but the set found at Winnemucca Lake are a stunning find for scientists.
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Mouse's Tank is a hike where petroglyphs can be found along the walls of the aptly named Petroglyph Canyon walls and sometimes you can find water at the end of the hike. The hike is a little under a mile and suitable for all ages and for beginners. The park is open all year round but bear in mind it's extremely hot in the summer. There is a $10 entrance fee. You can reach Valley of Fire State Park via the I-15 north from Las Vegas and exit at #75. Make a right at the end of the ramp and take the road to the park, about 11 miles from the Interstate. If you're coming from the north, take I-15 south and take exit 93, then take a left onto the 169 NV south and take the road all the way to the park.


Another area in Red Rock is Calico Basin, which has examples of petroglyphs along a wooden boardwalk. The rock art is found on boulders along the cliffs outside the boardwalk so keep your eye peeled for them. Calico Basin itself has some lovely hiking trails and is a great picnic spot. The entrance is located just outside of the Red Rock National Conservation Area and therefore there's no day use fee ($7 inside the park). You can reach the park from Las Vegas by taking West Charleston Blvd/SR 159 west and then turn right onto the Scenic Loop Drive (unless you are going to Calico Basin - look for the signs just outside the entrance to the larger park to drive to the Calico Basin Park).


You can also visit a hidden cave via a tour that the Native Americans used for storage 3,500 years ago. The tour is given twice a month (2nd and 4th Saturdays) and private tours can also be arranged for free at the Churchill County Museum. The park itself is free to visit all year round.


The art here is plentiful and can be easily seen as you walk between the canyon walls in White River Narrows. Another area, the Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area, about 20 miles away, has several petroglyph spots as well. You can easily make a weekend trip out of visiting all of the rock art in this scenic area. Visit the Lincoln County website for a detailed guide to all the rock art spots in the area. You can reach the district via the 93 North from Las Vegas to the 318, or the 6 south to the 318 south from Ely.
What do you think of seeing ancient art so easily in the natural beauty of Nevada? Share your rock art experiences in the comments!