Temple Mountain Panels |

Eastern Reef

Roadside Attraction Temple Mountain Panels - Eastern Reef Roadside Attraction Temple Mountain Panels

Eastern Reef

Overview

RATING: Roadside Attraction
MAPS: Temple Mountain, UT;

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 62. West southwest wind 3 to 9 mph.

62 | 36

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 37

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 63.

63 | 39

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 41

Sun

A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

51 | 37

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any
WATER: None.

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 62. West southwest wind 3 to 9 mph.

62 | 36

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 37

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 63.

63 | 39

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 41

Sun

A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

51 | 37

View Full Weather Details
The small initial panel.

The small initial panel.

Temple Mountain has a history of Uranium mining and is littered with old mining roads, tunnels, and other artifacts. Also, it has a large pictograph panel that, though weathered, is quite impressive and well worth the short stop.

The area near the panels has two large camping areas, with many dispersed camping areas in the area. This is a must see if visiting Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse, or any of the other sights in this part of the Swell.

More of the main panel at Temple Mountain

More of the main panel at Temple Mountain

Getting There

Reach the trailhead by going west from Green River Utah on I-70 to the junction with highway 24 that goes to Hanksville. Go toward Hanksville for about 25 miles to Mile Post 135.

  • A signed road goes off to the west signed Goblin Valley. ( 12S 537737mE 4275878mN / N38° 37' 50" W110° 33' 59" )
  • Follow this paved road 5.1 miles to a junction. Go straight. ( 12S 530077mE 4278354mN / N38° 39' 12" W110° 39' 16" )
  • 0.3 miles past the junction, look for the small initial panel on the right. ( 12S 529744mE 4278776mN / N38° 39' 25" W110° 39' 29" )
  • 1.0 miles past the junction, two roads go off on the right to an old drill hole and the large panel. ( 12S 528799mE 4279210mN / N38° 39' 40" W110° 40' 08" )
The panel from the parking area.

The panel from the parking area.

Route

Rock Art and Historic Site Etiquette
Rock art and historic sites are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. To ensure they are protected, please:
  • Avoid Touching the Petroglyphs: Look and observe, BUT DO NOT TOUCH!
  • Stay on the Trails: Stay on the most used trails when visiting sites, and don't create new trails or trample vegetation.
  • Photography and Sketching is Allowed: Do not introduce any foreign substance to enhance the carved and pecked images for photographic or drawing purposes. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law -- even if the damage is unintentional.
  • Pets: Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them.
  • Artifacts: If you happen to come across sherds (broken pottery) or lithics (flakes of stone tools), leave them where you see them. Once they are moved or removed, a piece of the past is forever lost.

The initial panel is visible from the road, but small and a bit hard to spot. It is on a vertical section of rock BEFORE reaching the first large campground on the left (south) side of the road. Less than 2 minutes from the fence, park anywhere on the edge of the road.

The main panel is on the right, where several roads go off to an old drill hole. There is a campsite here, however, please refrain from camping at the panel so others can visit without having to traipse through someone's camp. From the drill hole, the panel is big and clearly visible 15 or so feet above the ground. A thin ledge allows for an up close look, but is exposed. Please do not touch or otherwise damage the panels.


Maps

Printable Maps:
Small Panel

12S 529743mE 4278775mN

N38° 39' 25" W110° 39' 29"

Main Panel

12S 528799mE 4279210mN

N38° 39' 40" W110° 40' 08"

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