Entry No. 19 — the Grand Junction file — filed under: outdoor-weird
Shavano Valley Rock Art Site
“Utes kept carving until 1881, beside a cosmic tree whose roots reach the underworld.”
Five and a half miles west of Montrose, a sandstone cliff on the Uncompahgre Plateau carries twenty-six panels of rock art — Archaic hunters started pecking around 1000 BC and Utes kept going until about 1881. One panel, six and a half feet by twelve, shows three bears climbing trees: the Bear Dance origin story, carved beside a cosmic tree whose roots reach the underworld. The Archaeological Conservancy owns the land now, and the only way in is behind a docent from the Ute Indian Museum.
The story
Five and a half miles west of Montrose, hidden against the sandstone cliffs of the Uncompahgre Plateau, sit twenty-six panels of petroglyphs that you can't see from any highway. Archaic hunters began pecking into the rock around 1000 BC, and Ute artists kept working the same stone right up until 1881. That continuity—nearly three thousand years of stone-on-stone memory—is what makes the Shavano Valley site so unusual.
The central piece is a six-and-a-half by twelve-foot carved panel depicting the Ute Bear Dance origin story. Look closely and you'll spot three bears clambering up trees beside a cosmic tree with roots driving deep into the underworld. Because the site remained in active spiritual use right up until forced Ute removal in the late 19th century, these aren't abandoned relics—they are a continuous historical record carved into sandstone rimrock.
You won't find a trailhead parking lot or a public trail out here. The site sits on private land owned by The Archaeological Conservancy and protected with the Colorado West Land Trust. You can't hike in on your own, and the property is strictly locked; the only way past the gate is behind a docent from the Ute Indian Museum.
What it's like
Your visit begins at the Ute Indian Museum on Chipeta Road, where you check in before caravanning out to the valley rim. From there, it's roughly an hour's trek over sloped, uneven dirt and exposed sandstone. There is no shelter, so wear sturdy boots, pack sun protection, and bring water. Because seasonal tours fill up quickly to protect the fragile rock face, book your spots well ahead of time.
The move: Book two spots on a Ute Indian Museum docent tour, wander the Chipeta exhibits before check-in, then hike up to the Bear Dance panel and find the three climbing bears yourselves.
📍 Before you go The site sits on private conserved land with no public access — every visit starts at the Ute Indian Museum on Chipeta Road, where you book in advance and check in before caravanning out to the valley. The walk runs about an hour over uneven ground with steep slopes near the valley rim, so wear sturdy shoes and carry water and sun protection. Tours run seasonally and fill up; Colorado West Land Trust also leads group visits each fall. Pair it with the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, about half an hour east of town.
- 📍 Montrose
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Shavano Valley, ~5.5 mi west of Montrose; tours book and check in at the Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Rd, Montrose, CO 81403
Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Phelanies — Head into Montrose after your valley trek for a quiet drink tucked across from Horsefly Brewing.
- Museum of the Mountain West — Follow up ancient petroglyphs with a tour through Richard Fike's sprawling 28-building relocated historic town.
- Star Drive-In Theatre — Trade three thousand years of rock art for dusk-to-dark movies under the stars at Montrose's long-running drive-in.
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Night Sky Programs & AstroFest — Drive half an hour east to catch dark skies over the sheer walls of Black Canyon once your daytime tour wraps up.
Good to know
Can I visit the Shavano Valley Rock Art Site on my own?
No. The site is on conserved private land owned by The Archaeological Conservancy. Access is strictly forbidden without a docent-led tour booked through the Ute Indian Museum.
Where do tours meet and check in?
All tours check in at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road in Montrose before caravanning out to the gated valley entry.
What physical shape do I need to be in for the tour?
The walk takes about an hour over steep slopes and uneven ground near the rim of the valley. Wear sturdy footwear, carry water, and be ready for direct sun exposure.
What is the most famous panel at the site?
A panel measuring six and a half by twelve feet shows three bears climbing trees alongside a cosmic tree, representing the Ute Bear Dance origin story.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: historycolorado.org · cowestlandtrust.org · coloradoencyclopedia.org · Wikipedia
last checked: 2026-06-11