Painted Rocks Campground, Gila Bend-AZ

Left Yuma area early this morning and am headed to the Tucson area. About the half way point is the Painted Rocks campground that is 12 miles off the interstate. It is a large flat gravel area with 59 campsites. It is very quiet and has great vistas as there are mountains on 3 sides. It is a primitive campground with no power, water or waste dump. It does have two pit toilets that are very well maintained. Cost is $8 per night but only $4 with my Federal senior pass.

The campgrounds is known for the small rocky hill that has hundreds of Petroglyphs.

They claim many of the markings were made by native Americans who lived along the Gila River just a mile north from here. Others were made by early travelers such as the Spanish explorers that worked their way north from Mexico to the San Francisco Bay area. Later the Butterfield Stage line ran thru here taking passengers from Missouri to California in just 23 days! Aren't we spoiled! In the early days the Gila river flowed full and free, offering sheltering trees and game to all who passed. Now the river is a fraction of it original size due to damming and the routing of the water for agricultural purposes. One of the joys of traveling is getting to learn the history of various parts of our great country! I am glad I stopped here!