Black Dragon Canyon

A short walk to an overhanging canyon wall and pictograph panel.

Trail description

From the parking area, walk upcanyon (northwest) along the jeep road. Juniper trees speckle the sandy floor, but at 0.3 mile the canyon pinches into a narrow slot. Here you walk through steeply angled Navajo Sandstone walls that define this eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell.

In about 5 minutes, pass a BLM day use area sign and a wooden corral on the east side of the canyon. Enter through the corral to see the Black Dragon pictograph panel within the alcove.

The style of rock art here is characterized as Barrier Canyon, older than that made by the Fremont people. This painted art is about 1,500 years old and is the same style found in Horseshoe Canyon in Canyonlands National Park to the southeast. Please be respectful of the fragile pictographs, avoid touching them, and leave them as they are.

You can continue wandering as far upcanyon as you wish; return the way you came.

Directions

From Green River, Utah, head west on I-70 for about 15 miles. Slow down when the highway crosses the San Rafael River, and watch for mile marker 145. After you pass it, start looking for an unmarked dirt road on the right; it comes up quick. Pass through a gate, and stay left as you make your way north. Ignore a left spur road to Triple Arch. Continue until you see the Black Dragon Canyon sign, and turn left. Park at the mouth of the canyon.