Coso Range Petroglyphs

The Coso Range petroglyphs are America’s answer to Notre Dame, Stonehenge, the Eiffel Tower and any other historical sites mentioned by Europe-​centric amateur historians who scoff at our short history as a country here in the USA. Yes, our country is young but our continent is old and its residents have produced beautiful and compelling art for centuries. This stunning, gorgeous site contains petroglyphs up to 12,000 years old (about 4,000 years older than Stonehenge) and has a magnificence that has to be experienced to be believed. The setting is mystical, magical and unlike any other historical or archaeological site I have ever visited in my life (and I’ve been to quite a few.)
The petroglyphs are located in a canyon that is not visible at first as you approach. As you walk over the typical high desert landscape, you see what looks like the end of a little arroyo. But as you get closer, and start to climb down into the canyon itself, the size and magnitude of the canyon and the artwork it contains overwhelms you. You enter another world. As you think about what the artists had to overcome to create the artwork (climbing up to dizzying heights, painstaking hours creating the artwork, not to mention the hardships and short life expectancy of the time), it’s like time travel.
Thanks to an unlikely turn of events (being protected due to their location on China Lake Naval Base), these petroglyphs are in absolutely pristine condition. It is possible to see the progression of the art work over time. An enlightened tour guide will be able to explain the development and possible meanings and uses of the petroglyphs. Keep in mind: there are many theories but few facts about the exact purpose of the petroglyphs since much of Native American history has been lost. But the artwork itself speaks volumes.
Interested? Look here:
. Jump through any and all hoops necessary. It is worth it. (Make sure you wear good hiking or rock-​climbing shoes, take sunscreen, and are physically fit. Hiking all the way to the end involves some rock-​climbing skills.)
I feel strongly that every American citizen should visit this site to appreciate our history and the natural and artistic beauty that our country has to offer. For all that are able, this site should be at the top of your to-​do list. Go!

I visited the Little Petroglyph Canyon during the annual Petroglyph festival in November 2015 with my family.
The petroglyphs are on the China Lake Navy Base, so in order to take the tour you have to go through a background check through the Maturango museum. I believe the cost is around $ 35 per person.
The ride to the canyon is about 1 hour. You can bring snacks and water, no they do spot checks for weapons, drugs, etc. If you are planning on taking something onto the Federal military base, and not sure if it’s legal, check first.
I really didn’t know what to expect. To be honest I would have been happy to have seen a couple of petroglyphs, I got much more than I expected.
One of our guides told us that this was one of the highest concentration of petroglyphs in North America, and I believe it. I saw a ton of petroglyphs. I enjoyed it, my kids enjoyed it.
I would highly recommend this attraction to all of my family and friends.

We were told that this is the largest concentration of petroglyphs in North America. It’s like walking around an open-​air museum. Tons of petroglyphs of varying periods of time and approaches to art, many of which are beautiful artistically, with a lot of contrast against the dark rocks. The walk is very very easy, and there’s a lot to see. The guides are knowledgeable, and are doing great work. If Native American culture, ancient history, history of our country in general, or beautiful art interest you, you should strongly consider coming here and taking the tour.
We took a mini version of the tour during the Petroglyph Festival, but there are lengthier tours during the spring or other times of the year through Maturango Museum (which is also worth a stop), where you can reserve space with a group tour, the only way you can get in here.
These are particularly well-​preserved because they are located in a remote area on a US naval base, about an hour’s drive from Ridgecrest. Access is extremely limited, and because of this, the petroglyphs are largely intact.
Read Paul L’s review for an excellent description of the tour.

It’s a good history and geography lesson. The hike isn’t very long but there’s a lot to see. Many of the petroglyphs require a bit of imagination.

The over 20,000 rock images at the Coso Range petroglyphs (also called Coso Range rock art or China Lake petroglyphs) constitute the largest collection in North America and some of these images are over 12,000 years old. If that doesn’t piqué your interest, I suppose I should mention that these images are located in a remote area at the end of a 45 mile-​drive within an active US naval base and that access is strictly limited. Now, do you want to know more?
Unfortunately, many petroglyph sites in the US have seen an extraordinary amount of vandalism, but the petroglyphs here have the good fortune of being on the grounds of the China Lake Naval Weapons Center and so the area is well-​preserved.
Getting to this petroglyph site takes planning and patience. You aren’t permitted on the base unless you’ve reserved space with a group tour, so contact the Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest (
) for extensive details regarding this all-​day excursion. Keep in mind that because you’ll be on a military base, you must be a US citizen and the government will conduct a background check before you’re accepted on the tour. When you enter the base with the caravan of cars on the tour, your car’s contents will be thoroughly inspected by military personnel. All this might seem a bit unnerving, but if you read and follow all of the guidelines given to you prior to the tour then you’ll be ready for this minor inconvenience. Remember, it’s all part of the adventure.
Once the inspection is over, your car caravan will take a spectacular 45-​mile journey to Little Petroglyph Canyon, the only section of the Coso Range that is open to tours. Look out for wild horses, bighorn sheep and some of the military hardware that is used for testing. This is definitely a journey as rewarding as the destination.
When you reach Little Petroglyph Canyon, your group will assemble for the hike into the canyon. Are you up to it? Well, if you have good walking shoes and can go up a flight of stairs without passing out, then the fairly easy terrain here won’t be a problem. As you move from one end of the canyon and back again you won’t see 20,000 images, but you will easily see thousands of petroglyphs so make sure your camera is up to the task.
The history of this area is uncertain, but ancient peoples were obviously attracted to the water that once flowed here and the fauna that inhabited the area. You’ll see depictions of dancing scenes and hunting scenes, and images of animals, such as bighorn sheep, snakes, and birds, carved into the rocks. Undecipherable abstract images abound, too. The realization that you are walking the same paths as people did over 12,000 years ago can be overwhelming. The fact that few people now have the same opportunity makes this journey even more special.