MOAB, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management is asking for the public’s help identifying those responsible for two separate incidents of vandalism involving prehistoric rock art near Moab, Utah.
According to BLM Utah, the incidents occurred at two locations popular with outdoor recreation enthusiasts. One involved petroglyph panels along Highway 279, while the other occurred near Hell’s Revenge, a popular off-road driving destination.
In both cases, individuals carved names into or near prehistoric petroglyph panels, damaging irreplaceable cultural resources that preserve the history of the region’s Indigenous peoples. The BLM has not announced when the vandalism occurred or identified any suspects. Both incidents remain under investigation.
Ancient Rock Art Protected Under Federal Law
Petroglyphs are images carved or etched into rock surfaces, many of which were created thousands of years ago by Indigenous inhabitants of the American Southwest.
The Moab region contains numerous examples of this ancient artwork, including panels along the Colorado River corridor and near popular recreation areas. The Hell’s Revenge area, known for its challenging slickrock off-road trails, attracts visitors from around the country.
The BLM emphasized that these archaeological resources are protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, which makes unauthorized damage or disturbance of protected archaeological sites a serious federal offense.
Those convicted of violating the law can face substantial fines, imprisonment and restrictions on accessing public lands.
“Our cultural resources are part of our shared heritage. Once damaged, they cannot be restored to their original condition.” -BLM Utah
The agency is urging visitors to respect archaeological sites and avoid touching, carving into or otherwise disturbing ancient rock art.
Another Case of Petroglyph Vandalism Near Moab
The latest investigation follows a separate petroglyph vandalism incident near Moab earlier this year.
In March, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office sought information about graffiti carved into a rock art site near Tusher Tunnel, northwest of Moab. Investigators said markings at that location included references to an off-road racing team.
The newly reported incidents along Highway 279 and near Hell’s Revenge involve different locations, and authorities have not indicated that the cases are connected.
The BLM’s Moab visitor guidelines remind visitors that scratching rock surfaces can cause irreversible damage. Anyone who discovers graffiti at an archaeological site is advised not to attempt to remove it, but instead to document the location and notify authorities.
BLM Asking Public for Information
BLM Utah is asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or has information that could help identify those responsible for either incident to contact Moab BLM Law Enforcement at 435-259-2131.
The agency emphasized that protecting prehistoric rock art is a shared responsibility and that damage to these sites permanently diminishes an important part of the region’s cultural heritage.
