Castle Gardens Petroglyphs

Castle Gardens in Fremont County is 15 miles south of Moneta. But we decided to go through Riverton and then go east on WY-136 (Gas Hills Road) until we reached Castle Garden Road and then north. By the way, don't confuse this location with Castle Gardens near Ten Sleep.

Here is what it looks like just east of Riverton on Gas Hills Road:

Take your time driving because there are some great flowers along the way during springtime.

To see this field full of wild yellow flowers, you need to click on the photograph to enlarge it.

This shot is looking east, and it is near the turn off for Castle Gardens (just look for the green sign).

The slanted wood fence on the top of the hill below (click to enlarge) is used to prevent snow drifts on the highway.

When you turn north onto Castle Garden Road, this is the view:

Castle Garden Road runs north to US-20/26, just a half mile east of Moneta. So along the way, just look for the sign indicating another turn east toward Castle Gardens Petroglyphs. Here are some shots after turning east.

Finally we arrived:







The sign below reads:

CASTLE GARDENS

PETROGLYPHYS on the cliff walls were made by indians hundreds of years ago while hunting and camping in the area. Pictured are people, animals and symbols telling us about ancient ways of life.

SHIELD MOTIFS found here are among the finest in the west. The shield art form is found from Mexico to Canada, revealing a widespread diffusion of ideas.

EACH ART WORK tells a story--

Wander at your leisure through the gardens and see how many figures you can locate and interpret.

REMEMBER--Petroglyphs are irreplaceable. Enjoy but do not destroy your American Heritage.

Note the fence to protect the petroglyphs:

For more petroglyphs, see Medicine Lodge Archeological Site near Hyattville and Legend Rock between Thermopolis and Meeteetse.

There are a couple of picnic tables at Castle Gardens, but no outhouses. This is a remote location and not on the way to any other tourist sight. But it is a great place to take pictures!

On the way home, we took Castle Garden Road north to Moneta, then west to Shoshoni and north back home to Thermop.

On the way to Moneta we stopped to see this sight. The location below is seen in the distance above (looking south), off to the right in the photograph.

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