Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground

4.34

695 reviews

46101 Rocky Point Rd, Gila Bend, AZ, 85337, USA

Stargazing

Featured in:Desert Camping Arizona Desert Camping

Quick Facts

584 ft

Price

$2 - $8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

60 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Quick Facts

584 ft

Price

$2 - $8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

60 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground

$2.00 - $8.00 / night

Campsite Fees

$2 per vehicle for day use; $8 per vehicle per night for camping. Discounts available: $4 for senior pass holders and America the Beautiful...

Standard Site Fee$8.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider

(623) 580-5500

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What Campers Say

4.34

Recommended

Based on 695 reviews

668 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanspaciouswell-maintained

Some mention

noise

"The campground is highly rated for its cleanliness, spacious sites, historical significance, and dark skies for stargazing. Some complaints focus on generator noise and lack of potable water."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

46101 Rocky Point Rd, Gila Bend, AZ, 85337, USA

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground

46101 Rocky Point Rd, Gila Bend, AZ, 85337, USA

Driving directionsExit Interstate 8 at Painted Rock Dam Road/Exit 102, approximately 12.5 miles west of Gila Bend. Travel north on Painted Rocks Dam Road 10.7 miles to Rocky Point Road. Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site is 0.6 miles west of Painted Rock Dam Road on Rocky Point Road.

The campground is easily accessible via paved roads. "The road is paved and in perfect condition," according to user reviews. "Only 11 miles north of I-8," another user noted, making it convenient for travellers.

Nearby places

Gila Bend - approximately 12.5 miles (about 15 minutes by car)

Nearby supplies

Supplies such as firewood and water can be acquired in Gila Bend. User reviews note the Chevron Station in Gila Bend offers free water and RV dump facilities, although it is 30 miles away from the site.

Best Time to Camp at Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground

The desert here dances between extremes, painting each season with its own dramatic palette. Summer arrives with fierce intensity, sending temperatures soaring and making this a destination best enjoyed by heat-lovers and early morning explorers. Winter transforms the landscape into a camper's paradise, with crisp, cool days perfect for petroglyph viewing and comfortable nights around the campfire. For those seeking the sweet spot, spring and fall deliver ideal conditions—warm days that invite exploration and cool evenings that beckon stargazers to linger outside their tents.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

Not recommended

Summer often exceeds 100°F; site recommended for cooler seasons.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall listed as one of the best times—cooler temps and good stargazing.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Early spring is favorable—cooler weather and comfortable conditions.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

Top 23% in AZ

Winters are quiet and ideal for stargazing; mild desert winter climate.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Year-round availability.

About Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground

Where ancient voices speak through stone, Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground invites you to camp beneath the same stars that guided prehistoric peoples thousands of years ago. This remarkable desert sanctuary preserves hundreds of intricate petroglyphs etched into volcanic rock formations, offering modern adventurers a chance to connect with history while enjoying spacious campsites equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. Though the campground embraces a back-to-basics approach with vault toilets and no water or RV hookups, visitors are rewarded with profound quiet, generous site spacing, and immediate access to one of the Southwest's most significant archaeological treasures.

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground offers primitive camping facilities suitable for RVs, tents, and group camping.

Historical SignificanceStep into a crossroads where millennia of human stories converge on volcanic canvas. This sacred ground bears witness to an astounding collection of over 3,800 ancient glyphs, each one a message from prehistoric peoples who once called this desert home. The rocks here served as both spiritual canvas and historical marker, later becoming a landmark for Spanish explorers on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail and weary travelers on the Butterfield Overland Stage Route. Visitors often find themselves awestruck by the concentration of petroglyphs, describing the experience as walking through an open-air museum where every boulder might reveal another glimpse into humanity's distant past.

Weather and SeasonsThe desert here dances between extremes, painting each season with its own dramatic palette. Summer arrives with fierce intensity, sending temperatures soaring and making this a destination best enjoyed by heat-lovers and early morning explorers. Winter transforms the landscape into a camper's paradise, with crisp, cool days perfect for petroglyph viewing and comfortable nights around the campfire. For those seeking the sweet spot, spring and fall deliver ideal conditions—warm days that invite exploration and cool evenings that beckon stargazers to linger outside their tents.

ElevationSpread across the flat expanse of the Lower Sonoran Desert, this campground rests in a landscape where the horizon stretches endlessly in every direction, creating an intimate connection between earth and sky that defines the desert camping experience.

Natural Features and SceneryHere, the desert reveals its most enchanting personality. Ancient volcanic rocks rise from sandy plains like nature's own sculpture garden, their dark surfaces serving as canvases for both prehistoric art and the ever-changing light of desert days. Campers consistently marvel at the spectacular sunsets that paint the sky in impossible shades of orange and purple, while the absence of light pollution transforms nights into celestial showcases. The profound quiet of this place—broken only by desert breezes and distant coyote songs—creates a meditative atmosphere that stays with visitors long after they've returned home.

Geological RegionNestled within the Lower Sonoran Desert's dramatic landscape, the campground sits beside an ancient volcanic rock mound that tells a story millions of years in the making. These basalt formations, born from prehistoric volcanic activity, provided the perfect medium for ancient artists to record their stories, creating a unique intersection where geological history meets human culture. The dark volcanic rocks stand in stark contrast to the surrounding desert floor, creating a landscape that's both scientifically fascinating and visually striking.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Day use or 14 days at campground.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSixty sites are available, with a mix of pull-through and back-in layouts on gravel.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable, as reservations are not allowed.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come-first-served. "Never a problem getting a site," as stated by a user.

Cancellation PolicyReservations cannot be made in advance; the site operates on a first-come-first-served basis.

AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible sites and paths are available, and the petroglyph trail is described as handicap-accessible by several users.

Site SizeCampsites are large and spacious, with plenty of room for big rigs and larger setups.

PrivacyPrivacy is limited due to sparse vegetation, but the sites are well-spaced, offering some level of seclusion.

Total Campsites60 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites away from roads for quieter camping. Bring all necessary supplies, including water.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground is primarily known for its historical and archaeological significance. Visitors can explore petroglyphs and inscriptions, learn about historic trails, and enjoy stargazing due to the remote location's dark skies.

HikingSeveral historic trails, including the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, are accessible from the campground. The petroglyph mound itself has a short, accessible walking trail.

BikingBiking is possible on nearby forest service roads, as mentioned in user reviews.

Wildlife viewingWildlife such as Chuckwallas, ground squirrels, and hummingbirds are often spotted. One reviewer mentioned seeing foxes.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsThe site features interpretive panels about the petroglyphs, historic trails, and area history. Visitors can learn about the area's significance through these displays.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo potable water available on-site. Extreme heat in summer can be hazardous. Wildlife such as foxes and snakes may pose risks.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires permitted only in designated fire pits.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Generators allowed from 8 AM to 8 PM; no specified quiet hours otherwise.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are likely available in Gila Bend, which is approximately 12 miles away.

Trash & RecyclingDumpster facilities are available for trash disposal. No specific recycling options are mentioned.

Water FeaturesNo water features nearby. Water must be brought from Gila Bend.

Camp HostOn-site hosts maintain cleanliness and provide friendly service. "Camp hosts are friendly," noted a user.

Weather at Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground

Reviews

4.3

695 reviews

Recommended

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is highly rated for its cleanliness, spacious sites, historical significance, and dark skies for stargazing. Some complaints focus on generator noise and lack of potable water.

Review Summaries

Based on 695 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean vault toilets, spacious campsites, proximity to archaeological petroglyphs, excellent cell service for some providers, and peaceful atmosphere. Several users appreciated the clean and...

Based on 695 reviews

Common Concerns

Generator noise during quiet hours, lack of potable water, and occasional issues with pet management by other campers. One user mentioned, "The complaints about the generators are real, that's all...

Based on 695 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own water and firewood. Visit in cooler months as summer temperatures can be extreme. Check site availability carefully as some are reserved only. "Bring firewood from Gila Bend at Chevron...

Based on 695 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The site is best enjoyed in cooler weather, such as fall, winter, and early spring. Summer temperatures can be extreme, with highs above 100°F reported. Winters are quiet and remote, ideal for...

Based on 695 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great place to see the stars! Very quiet at night," "Clean campground and clean pit toilets. Credit to the camp host!" and "The petroglyphs are amazing—apparently the #1 petroglyph area in AZ."

Based on 695 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Some reviews specify that the best sites are by online reservation only and that these are generally the most desirable sites. "Camped on the south end away from the main road," wrote one user.

Based on 695 reviews

Accessibility Features

Paths and petroglyph trails are handicap-accessible. Multiple reviews praise the site's accessibility features.

Based on 695 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash. Some complaints about pet owners not cleaning up after their pets. "Sadly, as is too often the case, pet owners do not leash their pets."

Based on 695 reviews

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