You’ve probably heard of Petrified Forest National Park, but what about Newspaper Rock? It’s an ancient petroglyph site located within the park, and the stories behind it are as fascinating as they are mysterious.

Most people visit Petrified Forest National Park for one sole purpose: to see the ancient, multi-hued petrified wood that dates to over 200 million years ago.

Google/Dan Sternick

There is, however, a lesser-known (yet equally fascinating) reason to add the park to your bucket list: Newspaper Rock.

TripAdvisor/mini

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this archaeological site boasts over 650 petroglyphs within a very small area of rockfaces.

TripAdvisor/Austria01

Such a high concentration of petroglyphs indicates this was a place of great importance to the ancestral Puebloan people who created them. The exact significance of the area, however, remains unknown.

TripAdvisor/Austria01

One thing is for certain: the drawings were made between 650 and 2,000 years ago by people living along the Puerco River. Many generations left their mark here, so - unlike some petroglyph sites - Newspaper Rock doesn’t have one linear story to tell.

TripAdvisor/vinicio z

Instead, it is a collection of experiences chronicled over the ages. The meanings of some individual images have been deciphered, which you can learn more about on several informative signs posted near the site.

TripAdvisor/on_the_go_98765

Another noteworthy reason to visit Newspaper Rock is the view.

TripAdvisor/Rebby2k

From the main park road, a paved walkway leads to an overlook that showcases the park like you’ve never seen it before.

TripAdvisor/GabyVM

Walking down to the rocks is forbidden due to unstable hillsides, so use one of the free spotting scopes to get a closer look at the petroglyphs.

TripAdvisor/Rebby2k

Visit the National Park Service website for more information about Newspaper Rock.

Google/Dan Sternick

TripAdvisor/mini

TripAdvisor/Austria01

TripAdvisor/vinicio z

TripAdvisor/on_the_go_98765

TripAdvisor/Rebby2k

TripAdvisor/GabyVM

Have you ever been to this ancient petroglyph site in Arizona? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience! Tell us in the comments. Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more reasons to visit Petrified Forest National Park!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Newspaper Rock, Arizona 86502, USA