Ash Springs Rock Art Site | Ash Springs

Hiking Ash Springs Rock Art Site - Ash SpringsRoadside Attraction Ash Springs Rock Art Site - Ash Springs Ash Springs Rock Art Site

Ash Springs

Overview

RATING: Roadside Attraction / Short Hike

Sun

A chance of rain before 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. West northwest wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

57 | 33

Mon

A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

57 | 30

Tue

A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

56 | 35

Wed

A chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

56 | 33

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 55.

55 | 25

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, hot in the summer
WATER: None

Sun

A chance of rain before 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. West northwest wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

57 | 33

Mon

A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

57 | 30

Tue

A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

56 | 35

Wed

A chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

56 | 33

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 55.

55 | 25

View Full Weather Details
One of the boulders at Ash Springs Rock Art Site.

One of the boulders at Ash Springs Rock Art Site.

The small ranching community of Ash Springs sits along US-93 in southern Nevada. The area is very sparsely populated, and typical of rural Nevada. Wide open space, distant mountains, and few people. Though Ash Springs is likely best known for its natural hot springs, the Ash Springs rock art site, sitting just off US-93, is a stop all rock art lovers should make if in the area.

The site sits on a hill, overlooking the valley below. The BLM has created a short trail meandering through the boulders to visit the many panels. There are 18 markers to be found in the jumble of boulders. On our visit, the trail was indefinite in quite a few places. Expect to spend a bit of time searching out the markers. It is worth the effort, however, as the area has quite a large collection of rock art. We found all but number 17 which was either missing or we simply missed it.

History; The area is thought to have been a winter site for a small village of Pahranagats Indians, possibly in the 500-100 AD time period. Panels in the area are typical of the Great Basin style and quite diverse. The boulders would have provided some protection from the elements, and the nearby hot springs must have been a frequent gathering place on cold days.

Interesting rock art at Ash Springs

Interesting rock art at Ash Springs

Getting There

Surprisingly, the route to the site is not labeled. The easiest way to find it is to go south on US-93 from the junction of US-93 and NV-318 for 5.1 miles toward Alamo. A dirt road on the left (east) side of US-93t climbs a hill. This is just south of the community of Ash Springs.

Follow the dirt road as it climbs the hill heading south. It curves east a bit and reaches a junction with a gate about 1000’ from US-93. Go left here, through the gate. On our visit, the gate was in tatters, but still somewhat easy to open/close. Once through the gate, continue on another 700’ to a parking area on the left that is the trailhead. The road is dirt, but should be passable by most vehicles in most conditions. Easily walked if needed.

Lots of boulders... lots of rock art.

Lots of boulders... lots of rock art.

Route

Rock Art and Historic Site Etiquette
Rock art and historic sites are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. To ensure they are protected, please:
  • Avoid Touching the Petroglyphs: Look and observe, BUT DO NOT TOUCH!
  • Stay on the Trails: Stay on the most used trails when visiting sites, and don't create new trails or trample vegetation.
  • Photography and Sketching is Allowed: Do not introduce any foreign substance to enhance the carved and pecked images for photographic or drawing purposes. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law -- even if the damage is unintentional.
  • Pets: Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them.
  • Artifacts: If you happen to come across sherds (broken pottery) or lithics (flakes of stone tools), leave them where you see them. Once they are moved or removed, a piece of the past is forever lost.

From the trailhead, follow the path. Small pieces of rebar with a number on top mark the different panels as the path meanders through the boulders. It is not long before you will reach the petroglyph that inspired the signs! The route meanders through and loops back to the trailhead.


Maps

Printable Maps:

Jct - Left Then Gate

11S 659974mE 4147246mN

N37° 27' 30" W115° 11' 28"

Trailhead

11S 660125mE 4147170mN

N37° 27' 27" W115° 11' 22"

Marker-2

11S 660136mE 4147180mN

N37° 27' 28" W115° 11' 22"

Marker-3

11S 660154mE 4147186mN

N37° 27' 28" W115° 11' 21"

Marker-4

11S 660151mE 4147205mN

N37° 27' 28" W115° 11' 21"

Marker-5

11S 660157mE 4147212mN

N37° 27' 29" W115° 11' 21"

Marker-6

11S 660160mE 4147223mN

N37° 27' 29" W115° 11' 21"

Marker-7

11S 660155mE 4147231mN

N37° 27' 29" W115° 11' 21"

Marker-8

11S 660157mE 4147247mN

N37° 27' 30" W115° 11' 21"

Marker-9

11S 660136mE 4147260mN

N37° 27' 30" W115° 11' 22"

Marker-10

11S 660094mE 4147254mN

N37° 27' 30" W115° 11' 23"

Marker-11

11S 660039mE 4147250mN

N37° 27' 30" W115° 11' 26"

Marker-12

11S 660028mE 4147256mN

N37° 27' 30" W115° 11' 26"

Marker-13

11S 660063mE 4147210mN

N37° 27' 29" W115° 11' 25"

Marker-14

11S 660063mE 4147206mN

N37° 27' 28" W115° 11' 25"

Marker-15

11S 660071mE 4147197mN

N37° 27' 28" W115° 11' 24"

Marker-16

11S 660057mE 4147203mN

N37° 27' 28" W115° 11' 25"

Marker-18

11S 660045mE 4147183mN

N37° 27' 28" W115° 11' 26"

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