Sego Canyon is a unique place that even many Utahans don’t know about. The canyon boasts a dramatic setting that’s historically significant. Much of the area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There’s a lot of rock art in eastern and southern Utah, but these petroglyphs can be hard to reach. Yet, just five miles north of the freeway is Sego Canyon’s most remarkable feature: a sandstone wall with three culturally distinct styles of rock art. The Barrier Canyon petroglyphs are the oldest and most impressive. They date back 1500 to 4000 years, possibly even longer. And you won’t be the first to wonder if these colorful paintings depict visitors from outer space. The Fremont people created another grouping of petroglyphs 700 to 1500 years ago. And the Ute Indian artwork is the most recent, at 140 to 700 years old. Sadly, though protected by law, some of the rock art has been defaced by vandals. Further up the gravel road, more palisades, or tall cliffs, grace the landscape. One large formation is particularly spectacular. Soon, there’s more evidence of human history with a cemetery and the ghostly remains of Sego, a town that died when coal mines were abandoned in the area in 1947. The canyon tightens and the scenery becomes greener and more forested as you proceed. While humans no longer live here, plenty of wildlife does. Keep an eye out for deer, elk and mountain lion. While parked to admire the scenery, a black bear walked up the road toward our car before eventually climbing the hillside!

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Keep in Mind

The start of the road is paved and then becomes gravel. It’s in pretty good shape but pay attention to summer flash floods and winter ice and snow. The location is remote so be sure to fill your gas tank and take plenty of water, especially in summer when temperatures soar in the canyon.