About Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site
The Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site is located in central Wyoming approximately 45 miles east of Riverton.PLEASE NOTE: There are no restroom facilities onsite.The name of the area comes from the outcropping of sandstone which the wind has eroded into fanciful shapes resembling the turrets and towers of castle. This unusual formation has been luring visitors for thousands of years, and many of them left their mark in the soft sandstone--the area holds a treasure of Native American rock art, or petroglyphs.Improvements to the site have been made over the past several years to enhance the experience and to better protect the petroglyphs. A fine crushed gravel walking trail exist throughout the site, foot bridges to ease the crossing of deep drainages and a new parking area.Future work at Castle Gardens will include new interpretive panels and benches for enjoying the view. All of these improvements are designed to reduce the amount of vandalism through increased understanding of the site and better visitor facilities.The road is somewhat rough most of the year, especially the county road section of the Casper route, so high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.
How to Get There
From Casper, Castle Gardens can be accessed by taking U.S. Hwy. 20/26 78 miles west to Castle Garden Rd just before Moneta. Take a left at the Castle Gardens sign and drive approximately 15 miles south. You will reach another BLM sign that directs you east for another 6 miles to Castle Gardens. From Riverton, take Wyoming State Hwy. 136 east for approx. 38 miles, then turn north on to Castle Gardens Rd and head north for 6 miles. You will reach another BLM sign that directs you east 6 miles to Castle Gardens. The road is somewhat rough most of the year, especially the county road section of the Casper route, so high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site
Heading to Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site?
No central reservation system listed for Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/14746) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site?
From Casper, Castle Gardens can be accessed by taking U.S. Hwy. 20/26 78 miles west to Castle Garden Rd just before Moneta. Take a left at the Castle Gardens sign and drive approximately 15 miles south. You will reach another BLM sign that directs you east for another 6 miles to Castle Gardens. From Riverton, take Wyoming State Hwy. 136 east for approx. 38 miles, then turn north on to Castle Garde…
How do I contact Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site?
You can reach the park at phone: 307-332-8400 or email: BLM_WY_Lander_WYMail@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
