Little Petroglyph Canyon

Located near Ridgecrest, CA in the Mojave Desert, Little Petroglyph Canyon displays Native American petroglyphs crafted by the Coso People as early as 16,000 years ago.

The Coso people inhabited this area of Death Valley, and archeological evidence indicates that they may have interacted with other tribes in the western U.S. The interpretation of their petroglyphs has been the subject of debate as to whether they indicate a vision quest or wer part of a religious rite. With over 100,000 petroglyphs in this area, it marks the highest concentration of Native American Petroglyphs in the country.

To access Little Petroglyph, visitors must visit the Maturango Museum, located at 100 E Las Flores Ave. for a guided tour. The museum opens daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and stays open until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays. Visitors must have a valid U.S. Passport, since the petroglyphs are located within a naval air weapons station. In addition, the trail to the petroglyphs requires patrons to climb over difficult terrain.

Little Petroglyph Canyon is located just outside of Ridgecrest, CA, which is a 90-minute drive northwest of Barstow California. Visitors will be nearby other attractions, including the Death Valley Tourist Center, Ridgecrest Park and Recreation, Desert Empire Fairgrounds, and various other parks.