White Mountain Petroglyphs
This site is listed as a Wyoming Heritage Site. Part of the history of Southwest Wyoming is told through these sandstone etchings.
? None noted. This is on BLM land. This is on rough terrain and the roads may be a bit rough. Please follow all rules posted.
Pilgrimage Focus
Suggested Spiritual Practices
Suggested Spiritual Practice: Focus on the Breath as you are walking along the path of petroglyphs. Welcome stillness into your being. Welcome silence into your being. Welcome attention into your being. Welcome deep listening into your being.
Reflection on a Pilgrimage (adapted from https://sacramentopilgrims.com/camino-prayers-poems/ )
Living stones, Creator of All, we are as You have made us – living stones for You – not walls of stones for rejecting others, but rather stepping stones to Your Kingdom. May we come to rejoice in each other’s uniqueness – gifts and weaknesses. There Lord, You will have Your way with us, for it is only through You and by You and in You that we have our true being, not for our sakes, but for Your glory.
History of the Site
The White Mountain Petroglyphs are found in the sandstone cliffs in Wyoming's Red Desert, north of Rock Springs. Hundreds of petroglyphs were etched into the sandstone bedrock of the Eocene Bridger formation and Upper Wasatch formation sometime over the past 1000 to 200 years ago. Several of the figures are believed to portray bison and elk hunts, while others depict various forms/shapes or footprints. Handprints are also believed to be scooped into the rock. These etchings are very fragile and visitors should refrain from touching them.
Spiritual Significance
This site is sacred to members of the Shoshone, Arapahoe, and Ute tribes. This site is believed to have been a birthing place for the Plains and Great Basin tribes.
Nearby Church
Holy Communion Episcopal Church
255 2nd St, P.O. Box 567, Rock Springs, WY 82902
(307) 362-3002
Logistics
Lodging
There are plenty of hotel/motel facilities in Rock Springs. Some to mention include the Best Western Outlaw Inn, Holiday Inn Rock Springs, Baymont by Wyndham, Rock Springs, the Hampton Inn Rock Springs. Campgrounds inclde the Rock Springs KOA Campground (307-362-3063), Sweetwater Events Complex (307-352-6789).
Restaurants
Directions
The White Mountain Petroglyph Site is 27.5 miles North of Rock Springs (43-minute drive). From I-80 in Rock Springs, take US-191 North to Chilton Rd./Tri-Territory Rd, also known as CR 17 (11.7miles, 16 minutes). Continue on Chilton Rd to your destination (15.7 miles, 27 minutes). There is a 2/3 mile steep walk from the parking lot to the site. ADA Accessibility should be arranged through the Field Office for driving access through the Administrative Use gate.
Contact Info
BLM Field Office PHONE: 307-352-0256 EMAIL: rock_springs_wymail@blm.gov • Rock Springs Field Office 280 Highway 191 North Rock Springs, WY 82901 • LATITUDE/LONGITUDE: 41.889548, -109.259761