Painted Rock Self-Guided Tour in Carrizo Plain National Monument
Hi friends! Today, I’m so excited to share a very special spot with you inside Carrizo Plain National Monument. Typically known for its beautiful Spring wildflower superblooms, this park offers a wonderful, culturally rich and rewarding hike to see prehistoric Native American rock art up-close just a few hours north of Los Angeles. Join me below for a journey to Painted Rock in Carrizo Plain, where visitors can experience a truly unique rock formation adorned with ancient indigenous pictographs.
Disclaimer: Although I would have loved to share images of the pictographs themselves, please know that you won’t find any photography of the rock art itself on this blog post, which is honoring the request of the Native Americans that still use this site for ceremonies today.
Painted Rock Trail in Carrizo Plain National Monument
Location
Painted Rock is located within the Carrizo Plain National Monument, approximately 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles and about 50 miles west of Bakersfield in the Central Valley. The monument spans over 250,000 acres, making it one of the largest native grasslands remaining in California. Painted Rock itself is situated near Soda Lake and the Goodwin Education Center. Accessing the road that leads to the Painted Rock parking lot and trailhead requires a gate access code, which can be obtained through making advanced reservations for either self-guided or ranger-led tours on Recreation.gov.
Painted Rock alcove with pictographs in Carrizo Plain National Monument
History
The history of Painted Rock is as vivid as the pictographs that adorn its surface. For thousands of years, it served as a sacred site for the Chumash, Yokuts, and Salinan Native American tribes. The rock's unique horseshoe shape and location made it an ideal canvas for the intricate and symbolic rock art created by these indigenous peoples. These pictographs, which date back over 3,000 years, depict various shapes and designs in rich pigments of red, orange, black, and white. The subject matters have had differing interpretations over the years and are beautiful to gaze upon.
However, the history of Painted Rock is not without its darker chapters. Since the early 1900s, this sacred site has suffered significant defacement and damage. Early settlers and visitors, unaware or indifferent to the cultural significance of the site, carved their names and messages into the rock faces, overlaying the ancient pictographs with graffiti, and sadly even gunshots. This act of vandalism not only disrespected the cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples but also caused irreversible damage to the rock art.
Efforts to protect and preserve Painted Rock have increased over the years. The site was designated as part of the Carrizo Plain National Monument in 2001, bringing more attention and resources to its conservation. Despite these efforts, the scars of past defacement remain a stark reminder of the need for ongoing education and preservation. Today, strict regulations and guided tours aim to ensure that future generations can appreciate the site without causing further harm.
Painted Rock in Carrizo Plain National Monument
Painted Rock pictographs alcove in Carrizo Plain National Monument
Cultural Significance
Painted Rock holds immense cultural significance, not only for its historical value, but also as a sacred site for contemporary Native American communities. The pictographs are more than mere drawings; they are windows into the spiritual and cultural lives of the tribes that once thrived in this region. Visiting Painted Rock allows us to connect with this rich heritage and gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and spirituality of the native peoples. You’ll notice that no photos of the rock art itself are included in this post. Native Americans still use Painted Rock for ceremonies today, and they’ve asked that visitors honor their traditions and refrain from taking photos of the artwork.
Dirt road leading to Painted Rock Trailhead in Carrizo Plain National Monument
Painted Rock parking area & trailhead in Carrizo Plain National Monument
Painted Rock Trail with informative plaque in Carrizo Plain
Visiting Today
To protect the delicate pictographs and the surrounding environment, access to Painted Rock is regulated, and visitors must make advanced reservations through Recreation.gov. The site is open to the public from mid-July through February, allowing ample time to explore this incredible landmark. For the 2024-2025 season, self-guided tours are available. However, docent-led tours are also available on occasion, which provide insightful commentary and a more immersive experience. Remember to plan ahead, as advanced reservations are required with a limited number of spots available each day.
After entering your unique gate code behind the Goodwin Education Center, you’ll drive about 2.5 miles along a one-way dirt road before reaching the Painted Rock parking area and trailhead. From here, it’s approximately a 2-mile round trip hike out and around the Painted Rock with 75 feet in elevation gain. The large sandstone formation is a marvel to look at from all sides with multiple natural windows. The pictographs are found inside the large natural alcove with entrance along the north side.
Raptor nest at Painted Rock in Carrizo Plain National Monument
Wildlife
Carrizo Plain National Monument is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, with a diverse array of species calling this area home. From pronghorn antelope and tule elk to a variety of bird species, the monument offers a unique opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. The closure of Painted Rock to the public from March to July is actually to protect raptor nests, ensuring that these majestic birds can nest and raise their young undisturbed. It is also important to note that rattlesnakes are common in this area, so please be alert as you hike and always stay on the maintained trails.
Hiking around Painted Rock in Carrizo Plain National Monument
Know Before You Go
• Pets are not allowed at Painted Rock or the Painted Rock trailhead/parking lot.
• Bicycles are not allowed at Painted Rock or on the Painted Rock Trail.
• As stated above, visitors are asked to refrain from taking photos of the pictographs to honor the traditions of the Native Americans that still use this site for ceremonies and other activities.
• Climbing or scrambling up any formations at Painted Rock is strictly prohibited. Please also refrain from touching the fragile sandstone features and painted images, and honor the Leave No Trace Principles.
• Cultural sites on Federal lands, such as Painted Rock, are legally protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and violations could result in fines and imprisonment.
• Cell service is spotty at best. I highly recommend bringing a GPS-equipped device with pre-downloaded maps to ensure you don’t get lost.
• Summer temperatures can be brutally hot in Carrizo Plain, so bringing plenty of water and sun protection is a good idea.
• No services are available inside Carrizo Plain National Monument, including gas, food, or water...so bring everything you need while visiting.
• Many of Carrizo Plain’s roads are dirt roads, including the road leading to the Painted Rock parking lot. This particular road can get muddy in winter months, and although sedans can handle the drive in good conditions, I’d recommend bringing a high clearance vehicle.
• The Carrizo Plain National Monument has two major sources of access. From the north, the access is via Soda Lake Road off of State Route 58. The other access is from the south via Soda Lake Road off of State Route 33/166.
Unique formations at Painted Rock
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Carrizo Plain National Monument. For a virtual visit of my hike to Painted Rock, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Rock windows at Painted Rock in Carrizo Plain National Monument
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I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the easy trail to Painted Rock, located near Soda Lake in Carrizo Plain National Monument. This activity near Bakersfield, California makes a great day trip from Los Angeles, providing visitors a chance to see ancient prehistoric Native American rock art that is still culturally significant today for the Chumash & Yokut indigenous peoples.