Fish Creek Panel: Must-See Rock Art Near Capitol Reef

The Fish Creek Panel, located near Torrey, Utah, is a remarkable collection of ancient rock art comprising both pictographs and petroglyphs. This panel is attributed to the Fremont culture, which thrived in the region from approximately 300 to 1300 CE. The artwork features a variety of figures, including stylized animals and abstract symbols, rendered in red pigment and etched into the rock face. These images are believed to hold spiritual or ceremonial significance, potentially representing deities, clan symbols, or elements of cosmology.

Visiting the Fish Creek Panel

On a recent drive from the Hanksville area to Zion National Park to meet up with Dave and Brent for a hike out to The Subway, I made a quick detour just outside of Torrey to stretch my legs and visit the Fish Creek Panel. After turning onto Teasdale Road, I plugged in the GPS coordinates 38.2318689, -111.4110205—the location of the panel’s parking area at the end of Fish Creek Cove Road.

As soon as I turned onto the bumpy road, I noticed "No Trespassing" signs posted every few hundred feet on both sides. I started to question whether I was venturing onto private land, but not long after, a reassuring sign came into view: "Almost there, petroglyphs 1 mile ahead."

Roughly a mile later—1.7 miles from where I had turned off Teasdale Road—I reached the end of the road and a small pull-out for parking.

From there, a well-worn path led toward a nearby cliff.

I followed the trail for just a few hundred feet before arriving at the panel. A split rail fence now protects the site, though it's clear it wasn't always there. Evidence of modern-day graffiti, including names carved into the rock and bullet pockmarks, is visible—but even that doesn’t diminish the impact of the site.

The panel is stunning. It stretches nearly 100 feet and showcases both pictographs and petroglyphs from the Fremont culture. While the overall theme isn’t entirely clear, the artwork includes at least six bighorn sheep, several anthropomorphs—possibly warriors or shamans—and a variety of other less-distinct shapes and symbols.

One particular figure on the left side of the panel caught my attention. Its meaning has likely been lost to time, but it stands out as the only two-toned image on the wall—bizarre and fascinating. Flanking it are two more anthropomorphs; the one on the right appears to be wearing a headband and sash.

Farther along the panel, I noticed what might be an unfinished shield.

Petroglyphs are scattered throughout the entire panel, some of the most intricate clustered around that strange, two-toned figure. In other areas, bighorn sheep dominate the theme.

After what felt like an hour of contemplation, I made my way back to the truck—more intrigued and puzzled than I’d been when I first arrived. The meaning behind this artwork remains a mystery, but the Fish Creek Panel is an incredible site, absolutely worth the short detour to explore.