This is a nice stop, especially if you're a history buff. We spent about 40 minutes here walking the trail and looking at some of the petroglyphs. Most of the trail is marked and they even have trail maps available for you to grab at the trailhead with a little information on what you'll be seeing. In addition to the petroglyphs, they also showcase some local and historical plants, which I found very interesting. It's free and dog friendly. Although we didn't camp her personally, we did check out the campsite on our way out. It was almost full and each site looked well maintained and well equipped. I especially liked the curved coverings over the picnic tables. If we are ever in the area again, I would definitely give their campsite a try. read more

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such a true gem on this earth! I take my grandchildren camping every year, we love this place so so much we decided to make it a tradition. I recommend taking the kiddos fishing and hiking, one of the most safest places to relax with the family read more

I stayed one Sunday night in the campground, first stop on my way to Utah, easy to get a FCFS site even though it was probably after 6 PM, very quiet (about a mile off of Highway 50), sites far apart, free!, lots of privacy & shade due to trees and a shade structure over the table. Nice walk to see petroglyphs in the morning. No water. read more

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area - Free campsite - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Nevada

We saw a sign for this when we were driving on the Loneliest Road in America, on our way to Lake Tahoe. We pulled in to see what it was all about. There was a self-guided interpretive trail that took us past some petroglyphs, as well as some other spots. It was a well- marked trail, easy to walk, with numbered markers at points of interest. Our biggest disappointment was that there were no booklets available that explained each marker. It would've been much more interesting if we'd known what we were looking at. If cell service works out there, it'd be nice to have a QR code to scan and get the booklet on our phones if no paper ones are around. It was still a beautiful walk and a great way to stretch our legs on a long driving day. It looks like maybe they have a campground, too, although we didn't take the time to check that out. read more

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Nevada

Gayle and I stopped here last week as part of our driven on the "Loneliest Road in America" or US 50. The Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area provides public access to petroglyphs created by prehistoric people living who once lived in this area. Gayle and I enjoyed our detour, which included a short loop featuring several rock formations with various petroglyph features. We both really enjoyed the exercise and scenery, but we both admitted that actually finding these glyphs or perhaps distinguishing them from tourist graffiti was challenging at times. And after touring similar areas of New Mexico and recently in Maui, I found that part of the experience to be somewhat underwhelming. But please come here and see for yourself. read more

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When driving Highway 50, known as the loneliest road in America, you can't help but look for any opportunity to take a break. The Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area, about 20 miles east of Austin, provides primitive camping and a hiking trail that leads you to petroglyphs, some over 10,000 years old. The short hiking trail and petroglyphs can be appreciated in an hour. Add a packed lunch to the break and you'll be reenergized for the road. read more

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area - Hickison Petroglyphs; Great Basin curvilinear style; circa 10000 BCE - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Nevada

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Came here just for the night on 7-4-17. Very quiet, peaceful and mostly empty AND FREE! Maybe a mile off the highway with spots that are easy to park a trailer and not too close to your neighbors. read more

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Nevada

Make sure you bring water and toilet paper. There are no running water hoses out here and bathrooms a more like outhouses with a hole in the ground. If you happen to come here at an off time you might need to provide your own teepee. Put on very good walking shoes as the trail is all loose gravel and there will be climbing involved. It is about .6 miles or roughly can be walked in 30 min. There are several off trails and alternative roundabouts which is great for you to explore. Bring your water with you and your camera. Let's begin. Before going on the search for the petroglyphs, stop by the small metal box on a stand and sign the guest list. Turn around and facing the notice board there is another metal box with a brochure and map inside. When you are done with the map, recycle, which means return the map back to the metal box in the same condition you got it so the next visitor can enjoy the park as well. If you read the map correctly then the trail is to the right of the notice board. If you completely failed to read then you must have either started at the big rock which is the end of the trail or wandered into the adjoining campground and trailhead that have nothing to do with the petroglyphs. As you follow the map there are markers on the ground that coincide with the number on the brochure. If you plan to walk off trail make sure you use the already made trails by previous visitors instead of making new trails. If you make your own trail you might unknowingly trample over natural plants and destroy the rock lined trail that have been so meticulously laid out for you as a guide. If you do decide to venture off trail be prepared to get dirty. I would only encourage the experienced hiker and not all off trails are kid friendly and may be a challenge. The first off trail is off of marker 6 to the right, which takes you up atop of several rocks. Be careful as the rocks are loose and may fall. Use caution and better judgement. This is a great lookout point if you are in search of the sunset. The second off trail is near marker 7 or 8. If you find yourself walking up rock steps go to the top and look to your right. There is a trail already carved out and will take you closer to the ridges that oversee the parking area. This site gives the best view of both the east and west side. Great for waiting for the sunset but bring your flashlight as you will need it when you climb down. Again loose gravel and may require you to climb with your hands in some areas. From this marker if you are heading back to the main trail, make sure you completely follow the trail back down from the rock steps and go left. If you decide to take a "short cut" down the hill you will definitely trample natural plants the park is working to preserve. At marker 9 as you round the turn keep your eyes out as there are lizards that hang out in the shade here. Screaming and jumping around does nothing to get the lizards attention and will only aggravate other visitors so keep your excitement at a reasonable volume. If you reached the big rock that is kept fenced up then you have made it to the end. Dust of your shoes and clothes, return the brochure to the metal box, grab a quick bite and rehydrate before you head back onto the road. A great hike for all skill levels. Great for kids. If you stay on the mapped out trail the walk is between easy and moderate in difficulty. Great picture taking opportunities. Great sunset viewing. Have a safe journey. read more

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area - Sign off US-50. Make sure you go to the campgrounds if you want to see the petroglyphs. None off the trailhead. - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Nevada

One of my favorite places to take guests who are not from the West. Coming here really makes you feel like the OLD Wild West! Be prepared - there's not a whole lot of cover here and the direct sun in the summer can be brutal. The trails and signage are good and the petroglyphs are fun. Lots of respect for our state for preserving this on the Loneliest Road In America. A great place to stop for a little bit of a break on a long, empty road. read more

The Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Areaprovides public access to petroglyphs created by prehistoric people living near Hickison Summit at the north end of the Toquima Range and the south end of the Simpson Park Mountains in the U.S. state of Nevada. The recreation area, maintained by the Bureau of Land Management, is 24 miles (39 km) east of Austin along U.S. Route 50. The site, at 6,500 feet above sea level, id on the west edge of the Monitor Valley in the Great Basin. read more

Lonely part of a lonely road. Best kind of solitude. read more

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Nevada

I saw peace symbols and initials scrawled into the rocks. I don't know if those count as "glyphs." The rimrock and wind and water crarved curves in stone look like they came off the wheel of an ancient potter. It's a taste of the Southwest. The trails and camp ground are nestled among sage brush and small junipers at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Minus the giant grasshopper infestation, it was truly serene here, and worth stopping and relaxing for a night or two. There are pit toilets--some clean and in good condition--fire rings, charcoal barbeque grills and picnic tables but no water. Camping is free and unsupervised. The atmosphere was very quiet and there was no partying while we were there--except by the grasshoppers, who had no respect for the shovel that smashed them. If anything, it attracted more of them as they gathered to ghoulishly cannibalize their dead to satiate their ravenous hunger. Great evening photo ops with beautiful light on more shades of red and brown than you've ever seen. read more

We stayed here 4-9-17. When we pulled in there was 1 vehicle parked at trail head and the camping area was empty. This is such a beautiful place, well off the highway. We had no need to use the restrooms, so I can't comment on them other than they are typical vault toilets. The garbage cans were empty and all the sites were clean. As stated by other reviewers, there is no water so be sure to bring plenty for washing and drinking. In the Campground Details it says '55 ft max RV length'. Well, maybe a couple sites, but definitely bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most of the sites don't have level parking spots. And that is if your rig can make it through some of the corners. We have a 26' travel trailer and a full size truck. Our trailer is spring over, so it is tall. We slightly scraped an overhanging limb on one side, but with careful maneuvering we were able to choose an amazing site. The sites on the outer edge, with fewer trees, have some shelters over the picnic tables. The hike is easy, with amazing views! Unfortunately the petroglyphs have been quite vandalized, though the trails through the rock formations are still great to look at. read more

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One of our favorite campgrounds...we come every year. The best part...IT'S FREE..! No water and pit toilets but the views are amazing and the Milky Way at night is fabulous. Austin is about 25 miles west if you need ice, not much food to be had there other than a couple of small restaurants. It's VERY quiet out there. The Petroglyphs are cool and the trails are easy. Find the hot springs just down the road, you'll be glad you did. In fact, we will be there again in a week..! read more