Near Monticello in San Juan County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Newspaper Rock

State Historical Monument

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 1994

1. Newspaper Rock Marker

Inscription. Newspaper Rock is a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that records approximately 2,000 years of early man's activities. Prehistoric peoples, probably from the Archoic, Basketmaker, Fremont and Pueblo cultures, etched on the rock from B.C. to A.D.1300. In historic times, Utah and Navajo tribesmen, as well as Anglos, left their contributions.

There are no known methods of dating rock art. Interpreting the figures on the rock, scholars are undecided as to their meaning or have yet to decipher them. In Navajo the rock is called "Tse' Hane' " (rock that tells a story ). Unfortunately, we do not know if the figures represent story telling, doodling, hunting magic, clan symbols, ancient graffiti, or something else. Without a true understanding of the petroglyphs much is left for individual admiration and interpretation.

Newspaper Rock was designated a state historical monument in 1961. It is here for your enjoyment. Please continue to preserve it.

Erected by Utah Parks and Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Exploration • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1300.

Location. 37° 59.338′ N, 109° 31.099′ W. Marker is near Monticello

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, Utah, in San Juan County. Marker is on Utah Route 211, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located in Newspaper Rock State Park, about 12 miles west of US Highway 191 (between Moab and Monticello), on the paved road that leads to the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Monticello UT 84535, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hyland Hotel (approx. 12½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 12½ miles away); The Traveling Jail Cell (approx. 12½ miles away); Cowboy Tack Shed (approx. 12.6 miles away); Log Cabin (approx. 12.6 miles away); Sod Roof Cabin (approx. 12.6 miles away); Old Log Church (approx. 12.6 miles away); Monticello (approx. 12.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monticello.

Regarding Newspaper Rock. The monument features a flat rock with one of the largest known collection of petroglyphs, hundreds of figures and shapes believed to be carved over the past 1,500 to 2,000 years.

Also see . . .
1. More about Newspaper Rock. DesertUSA: The Guide to the American Southwest and Desert Regions. (Submitted on January 7, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Wikipedia entry for Newspaper Rock. (Submitted on January 7, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Photographed By Duane Hall, October 12, 2010

2. Newspaper Rock Marker

A more recent marker stating the area is a National Historical Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photographed By Craig Baker, April 12, 2019

3. Newspaper Rock Marker

Photographed By Craig Baker, April 12, 2019

4. Newspaper Rock Marker

View from Newspaper Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 20, 2010

5. View from Newspaper Rock

Marker is visible at the lower right of photo.

Newspaper Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 1994

6. Newspaper Rock

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 1994

7. Newspaper Rock

Church Rock, south of the intersection of US 191 and SR 211 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 1994

8. Church Rock, south of the intersection of US 191 and SR 211

Photographed By Robert L Weber

9. Petroglyphs

Photographed By Robert L Weber

10. Petroglyphs

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,375 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on January 14, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on December 24, 2010, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 6, 7. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8. submitted on January 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9, 10. submitted on December 17, 2010, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.