Grimes Point

Explore ancient history by doing activities and amenities available at Nevada Recreation Areas, particularly Grimes Point. This ancient accessible petroglyph is the oldest known in the United States, having an approximate age of 6,000 years old.

Ancient rock art

Native Americans first discovered Grimes Point about 8,000 or more years ago. It looked differently than the rock does today due to the fact that lakes originally covered it. This stems from the Ice Age that happened about 10 to 12,000 years ago since Nevada and Utah were mostly underwater during that period. This rock contains artifacts that give you a look into an entirely unexpected ecosystem of aquatic plants and animals that just dried up and died thousands of years ago, and ended up as a desert oasis today.

Getting better with age

The color of the actual rock is believed to have deepened to a deep brown due to chemical changes. The etched pictograms, consisting of everything from human figures to animal depictions, have lightened people throughout the eras. This contrast really makes the designs stand out.

Designating a trail

It was the Youth Conservation League that designated a trail for the petroglyph in 1978, with the intention of having visitors see historical art and preserve this old cultural resource. The Bureau of Land Management manages Grimes Point.

Archaeological finds

Archaeologists still study this petroglyph to see what really existed in this area so many years ago. They are still finding bits of bone, shells and tools used by early man. While this is the largest petroglyph on the trail, there are many more in the surrounding area.

Grimes Point is one of the ancient treasures of the United States, and is an excellent tourist attraction that provides a profound look into an era long gone.