The Great Hunt Panel of Ancient Rock Art

The “Great Hunt” rock art panel is located in Utah’s Nine Mile Canyon on a remote scenic backcountry byway. The area has five rock art panels, but the Great Hunt Panel is the most famous and considered one of Utah’s most recognizable rock art panels. 

It’s located a little over three and a half hours from Salt Lake City in very remote country. When you arrive, you can’t help but be taken aback by just how remarkably well-preserved the panel is.

Great Hunt Panel Tells a Story

Historians believe the Great Hunt panel tells a story that likely actually occurred more than 1,000 years ago.  Scholars suggest it shows a fall scene when herds of bighorn sheep meet to breed. The mating season would be the only time of year when rams, ewes, and lambs would meet in the same area. You can see hunters with bows and arrows carved into the rock and many bighorn sheep.  The prominent trapezoidal horned figure at the panel’s top is a classic example of the Freemont period rock art style. 

It’s a short and easy walk to get to the panel. It’s best viewed in the early morning or late afternoon when you can avoid shadows. 

Nine Mile Canyon: The World’s Largest Art Gallery

There are other rock art sites in Nine Mile Canyon. The approximately 40-mile canyon is sometimes promoted as “the world’s largest art gallery.” It’s believed there are roughly 1,000 rock art sites in the canyon, with more than 10,000 individual images. Sixty-three archaeological sites in the canyon are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.  

The road to the Great Hunt Panel and Nine Mile Canyon is remote. Make sure you are prepared because there are few places to resupply nearby. If you have the time, make sure to check out Newspaper Rock near Canyonlands National Park. It’s another amazing petroglyph panel.