Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area sits along U.S. Highway 50 in central Nevada, about 24 miles east of Austin. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, it pairs ancient Native American petroglyphs with long high-desert vistas and a small campground — a fitting stop on the road sometimes called 'the loneliest highway in America.' For RV travelers crossing the Great Basin, it is a rare place to camp beside a protected rock-art site.
Best season — Late spring through fall (high-desert nights stay cold)
At a glance
The facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded facts for planning your visit — always worth confirming against current conditions before you travel.
State
Nevada (24 miles east of Austin)
Managing agency
Bureau of Land Management (Mount Lewis Field Office)
Access
Along U.S. Highway 50
Camping
Permitted, 14-day limit
Activities
Hiking, horseback riding, viewing rock art
Protection
Cultural resources protected by federal law
On the ground
Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area preserves ancient Native American rock art in a sweep of central Nevada high desert, 24 miles east of Austin along U.S. Highway 50. Beyond the petroglyphs, the BLM describes long vistas, welcome shade, and a chance to reflect on the early Native peoples who hunted, drew on the rock, and lived in this country.
Because the site allows camping with a 14-day limit, it is one of the few rock-art places in the Great Basin where RV travelers can actually stay the night, making it a natural break on a long Highway 50 crossing.
The BLM is clear that the cultural resources here 'are protected by federal law against damage, defacement, removal,' and that 'the native rock should not be carved, painted or otherwise modified in any way.' Never touch, chalk, scratch, or climb the petroglyphs — these are fragile, irreplaceable records that took shape over many centuries. Take only photographs and leave no trace.
Confirm current conditions, road access, and campground status on the official BLM page before you arrive, and camp lightly so the site stays intact for the travelers and descendant communities who come after you.
Official sources
- Bureau of Land Management — Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area Bureau of Land Management
Nearby & related
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