Coso Petroglyphs

In the canyons and plateaus of the Coso Mountains are thousands of images left by the hunter-gatherer people who populated this region in times past. The images, called petroglyphs, are carved into basalt rocks, and range in age from Paleoindian times to the present.

This is the largest known concentration of petroglyphs in the western hemisphere and is located on the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake. Public access is limited to guided tours on select dates; open to U.S. citizens only.

Select Saturdays and Sundays in Spring (March – early June) and Fall (Sept – early Dec). Dates are posted online in Aug & Feb.

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Tours sell out in advance so be sure to put in a reservation (by filling out the requisite applications) in early August or early February, as soon as dates are posted.

All visitors must be a U.S. citizen, over the age of 10 and in good physical condition. Be sure to bring plenty of water, your passport or driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of car insurance (your vehilce will be inspected when you arrive on the Navy base). Aso, be sure to wear either tennis shoes or boots.

(760) 375-6900

Source: Maturango Museum