Rochester Panel

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) works with local partners to protect natural resources while developing sustainable recreation areas. It manages nearly 23 million acres in Utah, providing various outdoor recreational opportunities such as picnicking, hiking, off-roading, and more. The state has many incredible Bureau of Land Management camping spots, including the famous Rochester Creek Rock Art Panel. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds require visitors to keep at least 100 feet away from water sources and use a designated firepit. Visit the nearby Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park to explore their cliffs, domes, canyons, and bridges. You can locate more BLM sites by searching for "BLM camping near me." Located in San Juan County, the Rochester Creek Rock Art Panel has numerous petroglyphs likely carved by the Fremont culture between 600 and 1300 A.D. This stunning site offers an amazing opportunity to observe ancient artwork up close. The area also offers incredible stargazing opportunities, as it is far away from city lights.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Rochester Panel Rock Art Site Trail

Take a hike through this out-and-back trail to explore the rock art panel. Length: 0.9 miles Intensity: Moderate

Molen Reef Petroglyphs and Dinosaur Tracks Trail

This short loop trail provides a unique opportunity to explore ancient artwork and dinosaur tracks dating back to the Jurassic Era. Length: 0.3 miles Intensity: Easy

San Rafael Knob Trail

This out-and-back trail has an elevation gain of 1,548 feet. Hikers can marvel at the breathtaking views of the San Rafael River and surrounding peaks while at the solitary summit of San Rafael Knob. Length: 10 miles Intensity: Difficult

Fishing and Boating

The Muddy Creek is a San Rafael River tributary, offering plenty of fishing opportunities about 85 miles away. The creek has deep pools ideal for catching rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, bass, and catfish and offers excellent fly fishing. The nearby Green River is also great for white-water rafting and kayaking.

Climbing

Joe's Valley is located only a short drive from Rochester Panel and is one of Utah's premier rock-climbing destinations. Its numerous sandstone boulders provide endless opportunities for climbers of all levels, from beginners to experts. You will find plenty of top rope climbs, sport climbs, bouldering areas, and trad routes that will keep climbers entertained for hours. Visit San Rafael Swell for an unforgettable experience of classic rock climbing with its deep canyons, winding rivers, soaring cliffs, and sandstone walls. San Rafael Swell offers a variety of challenging routes for climbers of all levels.

Wildlife Viewing

You can spot birds such as bald eagles, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, wild turkeys, and pinyon jays surrounding the Rochester Panel. Reptiles and amphibians such as lizards, snakes, and frogs are also available. These animals can be seen in the surrounding flora, which includes sagebrush, grass, rabbitbrush, junipers, and pinyon pine. It is also possible to spot deer, elk, and coyotes in the region.

Picnicking

Plenty of designated spots for picnicking with grills and covered shelters are scattered throughout the Rochester Panel area and create amazing picnic places to enjoy a meal and relax after a day of exploring the area. Take advantage of Ivie Creek Rest Area, which has a pet exercise area and separate parking lots for trucks and passenger vehicles.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Buckhorn RV Park and Resort and Thousand Lakes RV Park are some of the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds that make BLM RV camping possible near the site. Buckhorn RV Park and Resort has spacious pull-through sites and a dog park. The pet-friendly Thousand Lakes RV Park has 62 sites with full hookups.

Free Camping

Camping for free in the Rochester Panel area is available for those interested in taking advantage of Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities. Little Grand Canyon Dispersed Camping near Rochester Panel may require a permit for you to enjoy. Free camping is limited to 14 days out of 28 days at any location, and new camps can be set up 25 miles from the first site. Be sure to check for guidelines specific to the area before setting up your camp.

RV Rentals Near Rochester Panel Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Rochester Panel BLM trip

Leave No Trace

When camping on public BLM land, practicing the Leave No Trace principle is important to help protect the environment and keep the land pristine for future generations. This means leaving the area as you found it by packing out all your trash. It is also important to preserve the natural beauty and integrity of the area, including its rock art by not touching or altering rock art in any way. Taking pictures from afar is a fantastic way to remember your experience without disturbing the artwork.

Rochester Panel Location

If you are coming from Richfield, travel northeast on Highway 70 for about 17.6 miles and turn right to continue Highway 70. Drive 34.3 miles, then turn left onto UT-10N. Drive for 16.2 miles, turn right onto County Road 801, and continue for about 0.6 miles to turn right onto County Road 805. Drive for 3.7 miles to reach the Rochester Panel parking lot. Address: Price Field Office, 125 South 600 West, Price, UT 84501 Ready to visit Rochester Panel? 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 of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, enjoying 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.