Rock Art in Emery County Utah.
Black Dragon Canyon contains several examples of Barrier Canyon style pictograms, many done in red pigment. The figures are attributed to the Fremont culture (circa A.D. 1 to 1100).
The figures tend to be placed high on the canyon wall and many panels are protected with labyrinth "cattle fences."
Many of the figures have been damaged or deliniated in chalk, or have simply faded over the years to the point where the figure is almost impossible to make out with the naked eye. [Note: Although chalking was often done in the past, visitors should never "re-chalk" or attempt to remove old chalking unless part of a sanctioned and professional restoration activity. Chalking is illegal in both state and federal law.]
One figure in particular, the "Flying Serpent" was chalked in the mid 1940's to better deliniate a figure variously claimed as a "weird bird," "monster," or "pterosaur." Recently, the use of X-ray fluorescence detectors and computerized separation of pigment materials have clearly revealed separate small figures that were interpretted in error as a single image. See the news comment below.
Before you visit, keep in mind that the "monster" image described above is almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Bring binoculars to better appreciate the other figures.
The canyon is on Bureau of Land Management property west of Green River on a dirt road turning off of I-70 westbound, near mile marker 147. Contact the Vernal BLM for hiking and topo maps that show this road. There is a parking area (near the location for this site listing) and canyon is accessed on foot via an old jeep trail.
Note: The site listing location reflects the general location of the trail head and does not reflect the specific location of any rock art panel. Do not use this locational information alone to travel to the site.