Can you reserve a site at Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground?

No. Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground, Arizona — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

The Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground are located approximately 90 miles southwest of Phoenix, Arizona. The petroglyph site provides visitors the opportunity to view an ancient archaeological site containing hundreds of symbolic and artistic rock etchings, or "petroglyphs," produced centuries ago by prehistoric peoples. There are also inscriptions made by people who passed through during historic times. There is a $2 per vehicle fee for the site. Cash or check payment is accepted.

Overnight camping is allowed at the adjacent Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground. This is a separate facility from the petroglyph site. Camping reservations must be made through the recreation.gov website. We no longer accept cash or check payments for campsites. The campground has picnic tables, grills, steel fire rings, and a vault toilet. No potable water is available at the facility.

Several historic trails lie within the campground. The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, The Butterfield Overland Stage Route and the Mormon Battalion Trail are three trails that played prominent roles in the history of Arizona and the American West. Visitors can learn about the site and historic trails through professional interpretive panels located on the site.

Getting there

Exit Interstate 8 at Painted Rock Dam Road/Exit 102, approximately 12.5 miles west of Gila Bend. Travel north on Painted Rocks Dam Road 10.7 miles to Rocky Point Road. Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site is 0.6 miles west of Painted Rock Dam Road on Rocky Point Road.

33.02437, -113.04543 · 33°1'27.7"N 113°2'43.5"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Official map for this area

Typical weather

Typically 108°F in Jul, down to 69°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	69	73	80	87	95	105	108	107	102	91	78	69
Low °F	41	45	50	57	64	73	82	81	74	59	47	40
Precip in	0.7	0.5	0.6	0.2	0.2	0.0	0.9	0.8	0.4	0.5	0.6	0.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

$2.00/vehicle for day use, $8/vehicle/per night for camping

Stay limit: Day use or 14 days at campground

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground

Can you reserve a site at Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground?: No. Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
How long can you stay at Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground?: Day use or 14 days at campground

Camping near Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground

Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground less than 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Gila Bend Visitor Center 19.1 mi · Visitor Center
Margies Cove West Trailhead 27.7 mi · Facility
Margies Cove West Campground 27.7 mi · Campground
Brittlebush Trailhead 30.4 mi · Facility
North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area 30.4 mi · Facility
Margies Cove East Trailhead 33.5 mi · Facility
South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area 38.1 mi · Facility
Harquahala Byway Staging Area 50.8 mi · Facility
Box Canyon Recreational Shooting Site 51.8 mi · Facility
Gunsight Wash 56.9 mi · Facility
Harquahala Peak Observatory 57.1 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone (623) 580-5500
Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground