Washington County Petroglyphs
Washington City, St George, Hurricane, and Ivins City
Washington
1,000-13,000 years ago
Details
National Register?
No
Architect
Ancient People
Year Built
1,000-13,000 years ago
Accessible?
Yes
Current Threats
In Washington County, southern Utah's legacy of petroglyphs and ancient archaeological sites is increasingly threatened by rapid urban development. As communities like Washington City, Ivins City, and Hurricane continue to grow, culturally and historically significant sites, many over 1,000 years old, are being compromised or lost entirely.
One ongoing concern is the lack of comprehensive preservation policies that extend beyond designated protection zones. In Washington City, for example, a development prompted concerns after reports of petroglyph-bearing boulders in the area. While developers claim nothing was disturbed, the site’s proximity to expanding infrastructure highlights the risk posed by insufficient proactive measures. Current regulations do not require developers to search for or protect archaeological features outside official overlays, exposing many cultural sites to unintentional destruction.
In Ivins City, a proposed cemetery, city yard, and bike park project on 100 acres of Bureau of Land Management land has raised alarms among residents. Despite existing Sensitive Lands City Codes, many worry that these protections may not be enough as development encroaches closer to petroglyph-rich landscapes.
Equally concerning are archaeological roomblock sites—ancient masonry structures once occupied by Ancestral Puebloan peoples—that are being threatened by private development. In Hurricane, a 1,000-year-old roomblock site is already approved for a five-home development, making its acquisition cost prohibitively high. Although local officials and representatives from the Governor’s Office have expressed support for preserving the site, efforts to work out a land trade with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have been stalled due to a backlog of higher-priority trades in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. Meanwhile, the current landowners (Interstate Rock and Interstate Homes) have shown some willingness to negotiate, but remain focused on development.
A second site, another room block located within Perry Homes' “Peregrine Pointe” subdivision, is similarly imperiled. Despite efforts to preserve it as open space, it was excluded from the approved development plan, and Perry Homes has refused to consider preservation alternatives.
History
Washington County is a landscape etched with history. Petroglyphs—rock carvings made by Indigenous peoples such as the Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi), southern Paiute, and Hopi—are scattered across the region. Dating back as far as 1,000 years, these carvings offer a window into early farming cultures' lives, beliefs, and practices. These images, found on canyon walls, basalt boulders, and cliff faces, were used to communicate, tell stories, and record ceremonial and daily life.
Roomblock sites, constructed from stone and once forming the walls of ancient habitations, are another crucial part of the archaeological landscape. These structures served as homes and ceremonial centers for prehistoric communities and are often found near petroglyph concentrations, highlighting the cultural importance of these areas.
As towns like Washington City, Ivins, St. George, and Hurricane have expanded, these ancient sites—many undocumented and unprotected—have become increasingly threatened. While some municipalities have implemented protections such as hillside overlays or sensitive lands codes, enforcement is inconsistent and often fails to cover privately owned or undisturbed areas outside formal overlays.
The historical and cultural significance of these sites cannot be overstated. They provide a rare and tangible connection to the people who first inhabited the region. Preserving them honors Indigenous heritage and offers educational and spiritual value for future generations.
What can be done?
Preserving Washington County’s petroglyphs and archaeological sites requires a coordinated and committed effort from individuals, communities, and policymakers. People can help by advocating for local ordinances requiring archaeological surveys and petroglyph inventories before development begins and urging cities to expand sensitive lands protections to include vulnerable sites not currently zoned for preservation. Residents can attend city council or planning meetings to voice support for protecting cultural resources and encourage officials to prioritize preservation in long-term planning. Volunteering with local historical societies, Native-led organizations, and preservation nonprofits is another way to contribute and educate others about the cultural significance of these places. Individuals who encounter potential archaeological sites should report them to the Utah Division of State History and avoid disturbing them, while spreading awareness about respectful site etiquette.