Painted Rock Guided Tour
Carrizo Plain National Monument Tours
The tour begins at the Goodwin Education Center. After an introduction and brief history, the group caravans to the Painted Rock parking lot for lunch (Participants provide own sack lunch). After lunch, the group hikes approximately 2/3 mile to Painted Rock. Although the path does not have a significant change in elevation, it is not handicapped accessible. Time spent within the Painted Rock alcove may be limited to protect prairie falcons or other nesting birds. The tour then returns and ends at the Goodwin Education Center.Painted Rock Guided Tour is offered on Saturdays from the Third Saturday in March to the Last Saturday in May (Tours may be cancelled due to rainy weather and impassible roads).
During this tour your time within the alcove of Painted Rock may be limited, cut short or canceled due to nesting birds.
Groups of 20 or more must contact the Bureau of Land Management at 661-391-6088 before making a reservation.
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
Wear sturdy shoes for hiking. Bring lunch and plenty of water. Carpool whenever possible. Be prepared for intense heat and sun; bring a hat and sunscreen. There is a possibility of muddy roads and changeable weather. Pets are not allowed at Painted Rock. Rattlesnakes are commonly seen on the trail and at Painted Rock.
- Dont deface cultural sites by carving, painting, drawing or shooting.
- Dont dig or otherwise disturb the ground surface in or near cultural sites.
- Dont touch or climb sandstone outcrops, many of which contain cultural features. Contact with the sandstone damages the mineral crust which protects the stone from erosion.
- Dont move, remove or arrange stones, wood or other features. The precise original location of objects is important to our understanding of their significance.
- Dont damage historical buildings and objects by climbing or entering them.
- Dont disturb nesting birds, bats or other wildlife.
- Dont place caches in or near cultural sites.
- Please respect closure orders. These areas are closed to protect exceptionally sensitive cultural and natural resources. Unauthorized entry will be prosecuted under Federal regulations 43 CFR 8364.1 (d).
- Cultural sites on Federal lands are legally protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and violation could result in fines and imprisonment.
- Please assist us in protecting these often fragile and vulnerable places by being good stewards of your public lands.
