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Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District

Archaeology
Near Holbrook, Arizona
5.0 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

Newspaper Rock, formally an archeological district, is a rock art site inside Petrified Forest National Park, near Holbrook, AZ, about 6 miles off the old road. More than 650 petroglyphs are gathered at this one site, thought to date from about 1000 to 1500 CE. The district joined the National Register in 1976. For Route 66 drivers crossing the park, it is one of the easiest ways to see ancient images up close.

What it is

Petroglyphs are pictures and symbols pecked or carved into the surface of rock. At Newspaper Rock there are more than 650 of them in one place, a remarkable number for a single site.

The district is part of Petrified Forest National Park and lies in Apache County, near the old settlement of Adamana. It is protected as an archeological district, so the whole setting is covered, not just the carvings themselves.

A bit of history

Researchers believe the petroglyphs were made over roughly five centuries, from about 1000 to 1500 CE. That long span means the rock art was added by many generations, not made all at once. The site earned its National Register listing on July 12, 1976, recognizing its value for understanding the people who lived in this part of northern Arizona.

Visiting tips

Plan a detour of about 6 miles from Route 66 into the national park. The site has parking, is listed as wheelchair accessible and is marked as suitable for kids. The nearest restroom is about a mile away. Binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens help you pick out the finer details.

Puerco Ruin and Petroglyphs, a large pueblo site, is only about a mile off, and Adamana is about 1.7 miles away. The Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District is roughly 7 miles away. Allow 20 to 30 minutes here, longer if you enjoy spotting individual figures.

Practical info

Address: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028
Phone: +1 928-524-6228
Website: nps.gov/pefo/learn/historyculture/newspaper-rock.htm
Hours: Daily 7–7
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

On the map

Full map

Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District with the 6 closest stops. Tap a marker for details.

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Nearby stops

All of Arizona

Puerco Ruin and Petroglyphs

Holbrook, Arizona · 4.3 mi from Route 66

The largest known archeological site in Petrified Forest National Park: a pueblo of more than 100 rooms.

ArchaeologyPhoto credit

1.0 mi from Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District

Adamana

Adamana, Arizona · 3.4 mi from Route 66

The former railroad stop where travelers once stepped off the train to see the Petrified Forest.

Ghost townPhoto credit

1.7 mi from Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District

Route 66 Pullout

Holbrook, Arizona · 0.2 mi from Route 66

A roadside pullout from 2006 that honors Route 66, on Petrified Forest Road near the Painted Desert Inn.

Route 66 sitePhoto credit

6.2 mi from Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District

Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District

Holbrook, Arizona · 0.4 mi from Route 66

Richard Neutra's 1960s modernist headquarters for Petrified Forest National Park.

Historic districtPhoto credit

7.4 mi from Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District

Painted Desert Inn

Holbrook, Arizona · 1.6 mi from Route 66

A 1937 Pueblo Revival lodge on the rim of the Painted Desert, now a National Historic Landmark.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

8.4 mi from Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District

Flattop Site

Holbrook, Arizona · 2.4 mi from Route 66

A pit-house village site inside Petrified Forest National Park, lived in during the first centuries AD.

Archaeology

8.7 mi from Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District

Questions

How old are the Newspaper Rock petroglyphs?

They are believed to have been made between about 1000 and 1500 CE, over several centuries.

Is Newspaper Rock on Route 66?

It is about 6 miles off the old road, inside Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona.

Is Newspaper Rock wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the site is listed as wheelchair accessible and has parking. The nearest restroom is about a mile away.

Own or run Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District? Send us a photo or a correction.

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