The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Many Americans are discovering the wonders of spending time in a Bureau of Land Management site for camping, hiking, and other activities. The Bureau of Land Management is a federal agency that is in charge of controlling federally owned lands, and it turns much of that land into wilderness preserves and recreation sites. Their work includes adding trails, creating campsites and parking, and maintaining local offices to help visitors.
Now is a great time to start exploring the outdoors, and BLM sites are always worth a visit. The Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground is an under-appreciated gem in Arizona with a lot to offer. It has some amazing relics of the Native American population, hiking, and lots of places to camp. It is in the desert, which is a unique and attractive environment with a lot to see, such as rare wildlife and beautiful landscapes.
This is a loop trail that circles the nearby mountain. It has about 600 feet of elevation change. It provides great views of the desert in all directions with other mountains and other sights in the distance, plus opportunities to see animals and birds.
Length: 4.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Painted Rock has a beautiful set of picnic areas with shade that is located near the petroglyphs. Even with the shade, be careful about heat and wind. This is a great spot to relax and take in the sights. Although the picnic area is not elevated, it is still possible to see far into the distance on clear days.
The desert of Arizona is one of the most interesting places to see wildlife because there are so many animals and plants here that are not present anywhere else. There are lots of cactus species, like saguaro, cholla, and barrel, plus creosote trees, ironwood trees, and other plant life. Animals to spot include the iguana, mule deer, kit fox, and chuckwalla.
The biggest attraction at Painted Rock is the petroglyphs. These are ancient paintings and carvings in the stone that are thousands of years old. Most were made by Native Americans, but a few are from soldiers, settlers, and other later arrivals of Europeans. There is a small path and a set of placards describing them. These are sacred to the Native Americans, so touching them is not allowed.
There is an RV camp onsite for visitors who wish to spend the night. BLM RV camping at Painted Rock can add to your activities by letting you try out stargazing deep in the desert at night, which is a totally different experience from being near the city. Depending on the size of the vehicle, it will cost up to $8 a night for a maximum of 14 nights. There are pit toilets and trash cans, plus the tables for eating. The site is far out into the desert, so there are no other immediate options.
The campgrounds at Painted Rock are also suitable for Bureau of Land Management free camping. The same amenities for RV camping are available for tent camping. While you should check with the site host, precautions for large predators like bears should not be necessary.
Painted Rock is in the desert, so extremes of temperature are possible year-round. The desert can be extremely hot in the daytime, especially in summer, and quite dry. At night, it can get very cold. If you plan to camp overnight, have clothing appropriate for both hot and cold temperatures. Bring lots of water because these Bureau of Land Management campgrounds do not have any water onsite.
Binoculars are a great choice to spot distant wildlife or to see deep into the surrounding environment. Aside from clothes, food, and water, a good camera and a map will also come in handy. Painted Rock is a great place to catch a sunrise or sunset, and it is rarely crowded. BLM camping in the southwest is an immersive way to experience a unique ecology, and Painted Rock is the perfect hidden gem to do so. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All BLM lands follow Leave No Trace rules. It is illegal to dump trash or other waste, and you cannot do anything that will damage or have an effect on the environment and wildlife. This is especially true for the petroglyphs themselves. Any interaction with them is strictly prohibited. There are toilets and trash facilities onsite.
Are you looking for BLM camping near me and think that Painted Rock is worth a visit? Start from the town of Gila Bend, AZ, which is also where the local BLM office is located. Take Interstate Route 8 west until you reach exit 102, which is about 12 miles away. It will lead you to Painted Rock Dam Road, which you should take another 10 miles to Rocky Point Road. Follow Rocky Point Road another half mile to approach the site.
Address: 46101 Rocky Point Rd Gila Bend, AZ 85337
Are you ready to visit Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
