mcconkie ranch

This venue is about 12 miles out of town. There is a sign that tells you that you are at the ranch. This is on private land but they have a parking lot.We were there in January so we were the only car there. There is a cabin you can go in where people have left post-it notes all over. The "donation" is $4.00. They say there are walking sticks for you to use, but we saw none.The trek is not paved and a bit difficult in spots but worth climb. How often do you get to see so many petroglyphs? Easier going down the mountain than climbing up. Neat!

Great petroglyphs in a nifty setting that's unlike any other. Be sure you wear boots! Western eccentric charm- worth the trip.

Hundreds of petroglyphs and even some pictographs. There are two trails each about a mile long one way. This is on private property but the owner allows public access to these historical figures carved in the rock. He only asks for $4 per car and has water and pop for only a buck. And caps for $12. So don't be a spoiler and give the man a few bucks!!! Please respect his property so it remains open for the future. There is a lot to see so take your time. It gets HOT along side the rocks in the afternoon. We went both times in the mornings be sure to look up high also. Some are a hundred foot up.

These petroglyphs are on private property, so please be considerate so others can view these amazing petroglyphs in the future. If you're staying in Vernal, there are usually brochures about the petroglyphs available at your hotel. They're located in Dry Fork Canyon, which is beautiful in and of itself. Watch for the sign to the McConkie ranch. Park in designated places, pay the small fee in the honor box and grab a walking stick. There are a couple of different trails. That's why it's important to do your homework first. Talk to others -- especially the locals at your hotel. The easier hike is to the Three Kings panel. It's not tough -- but it can be challenging to find the correct path in places. One review I read a while back stated it was "stroller-friendly". Please don't attempt any of these trails with a stroller. You'll regret it, I promise you. We did this hike with seven young children -- and they had a great time. I suppose any time there are lizards to chase, and petroglyphs to see, it's a good time to be had. There are many, many petroglyphs available for your viewing -- and they are amazing to see. It's incredible that they are so accessible. The other hike (up closer to the rock face) is a bit more challenging, but well worth the effort. If you're in the area, please visit these Fremont culture icons. Who knows, at some point they may have to be closed to the public.

It's rustic. The "trails" are primitive and challenging ( I am 65 and husband is 69), but the payoff makes the effort so worth it. My fear is that the graffiti "artists" will become so bold that the owners will have to shut it down to preserve these fabulous works of art. This is one of the best places I have ever visited.

We took the Three Kings self-guided trail on this private ranch land that preserves some of the most accessible, greatest quantity of Classic Vernal Fremont rock art. Just about everywhere we looked on the cliff face were petroglyphs (and a few pictograms). Best of all, we were in natural solitude contemplating people who for at least 1000 years (800 years ago) came here to express themselves thru large, sophisticated rock art.

Getting a bit faded over the years, but worth the look and hiking/scrambling involved in seeing them.

This is a national treasure that exists on private land. There is a car park with a small hut in which there are drinks available to buy and even t shirts. You are also asked to contribute $4 to park your car. This is all based on honesty.The trail itself is quite difficult and probably not useable for people with walking disability.It first loops to the right to a wall where there are a few etchings in the cliff wall. We were actually quite disappointed until we realised the path doubled back and went for about a half a mile in the opposite direction. The trail was difficult and at some point it was hands and knees. But it is worth the effort. The petroglyphs are amazing and one can only wonder at their origins. Just do it!

A real step back in time. Hand painted signs take you along a quite challenging route amongst the rocks to significant sites of pictographs from hundreds of years ago. Pay $4 per car into a trust box. This is an astonishing and important historical site apparently run by the landowners. Thoroughly enjoyable.

We had about an hour to explore very quickly the petroglyphs before heading to SLC airport. It was a last minute decision we made that morning to head to McConkie. We chose to hike the 3 Kings Panel trail. It was a quick hike and we enjoyed the dozens of petroglyphs we saw. The trail is not well marked so you have to walk on a ladder over a fence into a field to start. You walk through the field and go through another field and just watch for the green fence gates. Eventually you will see a sign directing you the correct way. You will climb close the rocks and pass lots of petroglyphs. Then it becomes difficult to figure out where to go but go down the rocks to the right and you will walk through a field a short way to the viewing area (marked with a sign). This is where you see the petroglyphs up on a ledge above to the right. You need binoculars or a good zoom lens to see all of the kings (there are more than 3). You can see one very clearly from this distance. There is a block off and you can't go closer to check them out. The hike back is all through fields and not well marked. Just be careful of all the cow patties when you walk through the fields. We did this very quickly in about 45 minutes with a 3 and 5 year old in tow. Had to carry the 3 year old to get him to go our speed in a few spots but small children can easily do this hike.

The people in the previous review must not have found THE petroglyphs. There are similarones to many other locations, then there are some absolutely incredible ones, one of a kind ones.Ones that Nat Geo writes articles about. Ones you will never ever see anywhere else. Take thetime, do your research and find the right ones. You will not regret it. I've been searching outpetroglyphs for 30 years or so, this one of my favorites.P.S. You do have to leave your car and walk a bit.

Due to road construction in the area, we had real difficulty finding the road and entrance to the Farm. It's self guided and the "main" area up from the parking area is steep, narrow and dusty and dead ends below a handful of faded etchings. It was an overcast day which made it that much more difficult to spot them. They are usually etched in desert varnish and these are not.Very disappointing since you can go many other areas of the west with far superior examples of petroglyphs. I suggest taking the road in Dinosaur National Monument not far from the visitor center and campgrounds for better examples.The reviews indicate the other trail leads to better displays but if you are limited in time, you'd be better off checking out other attractions in the area.

We came here on our family trip out to Vernal. We had a group of 12 that included 6 kids ages 4-11, and we hiked the main trail. It was a fun, moderate hike for all of us. Everyone enjoyed the hike and petroglyphs!! The only one that had a little trouble was the 4 year old who after we made it up, wanted to be carried down. I recommend going first thing in the morning when the sun is still behind the mountain, before the day gets too hot. It was very cool to see the shed with all the post it notes in it written by other people that have come to this place. Was only about a 25 minute drive from Vernal, and it was worth it.

Wife and I drove 10 miles out of Vernal to view the petroglyphs. When we arrived, we noticed 3 vacant soda machines, 2 Porta Potties, and a small shack. I walked inside the vacant shack and noticed notes attached to all the walls along with a visitor's guest log. Outside of the shack is a can full of walking sticks.Take a stick as you will need it.My wife & I started to follow the path climbing the rocks. After going about 400 yds, she decided to back down.WARNING: Do not attempt this climb unless you pack lots of water, hats, and sunscreen. The trail to the petroglyphs is over loose rocks and a DIY railing of wood. There is also a sign that tells you "Climb at your own risk"Visitors are asked for a $4 donation per car.

This was the first thing we did when we arrived in nearby Vernal. Well worth the uphill climb. The really great petroglyphs are near the end of the trail (of course). Warning: the trail is steep in some places so wear appropriate shoes. Oh-and there is no fee but a donation box in the rundown little house next to the parking lot. In this house is a book you can sign to say you're hiking up there and water in the fridge! Money can be put in the donation box. What a clever idea.