LOCAL PETROGLYPH INFORMATION

In the canyons cutting through the volcanic rocks of the Coso Mountains are thousands of images left by the indigenous people who populated this region many years ago.  This is the largest known concentration of petroglyphs in the Western Hemisphere. The images range in age from before 13,000 years to the present.

The largest concentration of petroglyphs are located within the Coso Petroglyph National Historic Park on the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, or NAWS.   The Navy allows the public to visit those petroglyphs that are located in Little Petroglyph Canyon (also known as Renegade Canyon) on a limited basis.

NAWS, China Lake, is not currently allowing Petroglyph tours. If tours should once again be allowed, they will be posted on our events page.

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Below is a slide show of Wild Horse Mesa petroglyphs from Sheep, Little Petroglyph,  Dead End, and Big Petroglyph canyons to tide you over until we can offer tours again. Thank you for your interest in this extraordinary and sacred artwork. To view the slide show click on the  photo