Hickison Petroglyphs Backcountry Road
Ancient petroglyphs in Monitor Valley wilderness
The rock faces at Hickison Summit hold some of Nevada’s finest petroglyphs, carved by Shoshone hunters who used this pass for centuries. This BLM backcountry road splits off Highway 50 and winds through pinyon pine and juniper to reach the interpretive site, then continues deeper into Monitor Valley’s remote reaches. The main petroglyphs panel sits beside a natural spring that still draws wildlife today.
Easy to moderate difficulty depending on how far you push into the backcountry. Stock high-clearance vehicles handle the maintained portion fine, but the deeper valley tracks demand 4WD and decent ground clearance. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, though winter snow can block higher elevations. Bring plenty of water and fuel—cell service disappears completely once you’re off the highway. Perfect for combining petroglyphs with dispersed camping under some of the darkest skies in America.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6200 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Austin, Nevada |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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