The Sandthrax Petroglyphs In Utah

 Located near the Sandthrax Campground, this striking example of ancient rock art is covered in The Wanderer's Guide to South Central Utah, Chapter 2. Etched into the dark varnish of a Navajo Sandstone wall, this panel is so close to the highway and the campground that hiking isn’t really required in order to visit. The panel features an array of human and animal figures, geometric shapes, and abstract designs.

The artwork is attributed to the Fremont culture, which lived in the region roughly 1,000 years ago. What sets the Sandthrax Panel apart is the precision and density of its carvings. Human figures appear in dynamic poses, some adorned with headdresses or carrying weapons. Bighorn sheep, a common motif in Fremont rock art, are rendered alongside more enigmatic symbols—spirals, grids, and interconnected lines that may hold spiritual or astronomical meaning.
 

Unlike more famous panels in the region, Sandthrax is remote and rarely visited, even being missed by many people staying in the small campground! Combined with the easy slot at Leprechaun Canyon, it makes a perfect stop for those visiting the Mighty 5 National Parks!

No hike is necessary to reach this panel, just fining the parking area at milepost 28.2, on Highway 95 south of Hanksville, Utah. It’s well worth the stop for those interested in rock art, history, or Utah’s rugged slot canyons. 

 

Find the information board in the campground and park there. The rock art panel is on the rock wall in front of you, and slightly to the south. The photo below shows this location.

Distance from Hanksville, UT: 28 miles

GPS for parking and campground: 38.01624, -110.53186

GPS for rock art panel: 38.01698, -110.53263

GPS for Leprechaun Canyon parking: 38.01824, -110.53687

HIKE DETAILS 

Do not enter any of the slot canyons nearby if there is any chance of rain!

TOTAL DISTANCE
No hike required for the Sandthrax Petroglyphs

ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS
N/A

EST. TIME REQUIRED
10-20 minutes

BEST TIME TO GO
Any

FAMILY FRIENDLY
Yes

PET FRIENDLY
Yes. May be off-leash, but it’s smart to control your dog near the pictograph panels and the campground. Please pick up after your pet or bury any waste!

CAMPING
There are about a dozen free campsites and an information board adjacent to the panel.
The information board does not mention the rock art panel.

Visitors are asked to respect this fragile site by not touching the rock art and leaving no trace. There are two technical slot canyons nearby (Leprechaun & Sandthrax). These require technical climbing equipment and must be started from the upper end, but both can be explored for a short distance from the lower end.