Dispersed Camping
Black Dragon Pictograph Panel Dispersed
About
Bureau of Land Management
"A mysterious red pictograph (painted) panel accompanied by petroglyphs (pecked images) lies within Black Dragon Wash in the San Rafael Swell. Within a fenced area visitors may view several elongated human and animal like pictograph images attributed to the ancient Barrier Canyon culture. Stylistically different Fremont petroglyphs are located adjacent to the Barrier Canyon pictographs. In the past someone chalked the outlines of the pictograph images, a practice now know to irreparably damage fragile rock art resources. The person chalking the images combined several figures into what appears as a Dragon-like image. This “dragon” gives the canyon its name. Visitors to the site enjoy a short hike to the panel up through the wash and into the San Rafael reef. Nearby canyons and the wash itself provide additional hiking and photography opportunities. The road to the panel is sandy in spots and requires a high clearance vehicle. Do not travel into the area unless you are familiar with desert travel and are aware of the weather conditions. "
Location
Black Dragon Pictograph Panel Dispersed is located in Utah
Directions
The turn off for Black Dragon Pictograph Panel is approximately 13 miles west on Interstate 70 from Green River, UT
Coordinates
38.9373517 N
110.41846175 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Pictographs/Dispersed Camping
We have used this dispersed camp area several times off of I-70 on several occasions. Easy access whither you're traveling east or west bound. If east bound you'll have to cross over the medium which is allowed and enter the area through a BLM gate. It's always closed to keep cows off the freeway so please close it. The area has several places to disperse camp. If you follow the road it will take you to the east entrance of the Black Dragon. I once got a cell call in the canyon that surprised us as there's little cell coverage. In the Black Dragon you'll find a lot of Indian Petroglyphs. It's pretty easy hike to them or a high clearance vehicle. The San Rafael is quite interesting. The rest areas just west of the dispersed camping has a lot info about the area.
Great Hiking
First off do not pay attention to google directions as it will take you out of the way through a wash. There is quite an easy turn off right off of highway 70 (whether heading east or west, you can turn north off the highway). Once you turnoff of the highway there is a gate that may or may not be closed so once you go through leave it how you found it.
Follow the very manageable dirt road and there will be multiple pull out areas to camp in. The closer to the highway the more busy it is so keep driving. We found a small pull out between the two trails that take you on hike to the Spirit Arches and Petroglyphs and the other up through the wash to the pictographs.
The hike to the pictographs is much more interesting as you enter the narrow canyon. There are several spots that are reachable by RV, but further back you’ll need high clearance and possible 4x4.
There is no camping allowed within the canyon. At the trailhead though there are a few large areas for camping but probably easier with higher clearance. There is no bathroom, trash or water so pack in and pack out even that which you have already digested.;)
No cell service from ATT, Verizon or TMobile, but was able to get a bar or two on Verizon with the cell booster. Oddly we did have cell reception on the hike within the canyon.
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Basic camping near Black Dragon pictograph
Access to this is a bit tricky as you need to take a gate from the interstate. It isn't your typical interstate exit. On the eastbound lane you've then got to drive under the interstate which there is a underpass there that they put a concrete ramp in the wash to make it possible to drive through. Most passenger cars can make this route. The campground itself is very basic there's no water there's no toilets. But it is less than a mile from the black dragon pictograph panel and that is the big plus for it. Note that driving in from the west is an extremely rough road that requires a four-wheel drive high ground clearance vehicle and some skill.
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Cool, no camping up wash.
Wonderful place, so beautiful!