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Tours/Calendar
The Rock Art Foundation is proud to offer access to numerous rock art and historic sites throughout the Lower Pecos region of West Texas. This is only possible through cooperation with the various land owners. We are grateful for their concern and we firmly support their rights as private land owners to act as possibly the best stewards for these irreplaceable archaeological treasures. With trust and friendship they have offered their property as a truly unique experience. We hope you will enjoy the experience they have provided.
White Shaman tours are offered each Saturday at 12:30 PM September through May - no reservations are needed. This tour is free of charge to all RAF members. Information, fees and reservations for all RAF tours are listed below or e-mail admin@rockart.org. For our planning, a 1-week lead-time for all tour reservations/cancellations would be appreciated.
For a complete listing of Seminole Canyon State Park events, please visit: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/calendar/?calpage=s0148 . Fate Bell tours are offered at 10AM and 3PM Wednesday through Sunday. Afternoon tours are suspended during June, July and August. These are the hottest months of the year and the high heat index during these months can pose a significant danger to those not acclimated to the intense heat of the desert.
The Fate Bell shelter is a 250' descent over paved trails into a wide clear canyon. Roundtrip is approximately 1.5 miles — a strenuous walk.
Tour dates are subject to cancellation/revision due to weather conditions, limited participation, road conditions and lake levels. It’s always a good idea to confirm prior to your trip by e-mailing admin@rockart.org. Desert tours may involve extreme heat, limited water, long, steep walks and poor trails. Proper physical conditioning and proper equipment is an absolute necessity.
Guns, alcohol and pets can pose a danger for all tour participants. Please don’t bring them on the tours.
Questions and comments to our web site will be answered promptly. admin@rockart.org is monitored daily.
Tour Guidelines and Expectations for all Tour Participants. (PDF)
DONATIONS REQUESTED (per person): $35 for Curly Tail Panther, Lewis Canyon, Cedar Springs/Mystic Shelter or Meyers Springs; $10 for White Shaman. Reservations and advance payment are recommended. Donation must be received and liability release signed before participating in any tour. Speak to an RAF Guide for details, e-mail us, or contact the Rock Art Foundation toll free at 888-ROCKART. Discounts are available for groups over twenty. Group tours can be arranged at other times with advance notice. Hiking in desert country can be strenuous. Don't forget water and sunscreen. Sturdy shoes are required to prevent injury and please, no alcohol, pets or firearms are permitted.
RAF Members receive notices of special tour offerings
and free tours to the White Shaman.
Weekend Tours
The Galloway White Shaman Preserve
U.S. Hwy 90 West at the Pecos River - Saturdays at 12:30pm
The "Enduring Spirit" Solstice Marker is a 15 ton carved limestone shaman effigy with White Shaman cutout to mark the Summer and Winter Solstices. It is encircled by a memorial brick walkway and was placed by the RAF in 1997.
Hunter Gatherer c. 2500 B.C. Lifeways Camp
Created entirely of local natural materials by Comstock artisan Steve Norman, this model of an archaic Indian summer camp is a unique one-of-a-kind interpretation of the daily life of the Ancient Texans. The remarkable accuracy Mr. Norman achieved in replicating shelters, stone tools, weapons, mats, baskets, and other everyday implements is astonishing and is based upon museum samples and scientific investigation.
White Shaman Site
One of the most well-photographed pictograph sites in the lower Pecos. On its walls is encapsulated the basic religious principles of the prehistoric inhabitants of the Lower Pecos region and the New World in general. The flight of the shaman to the land of spirits and his metaphorical death and rebirth are a message from the past about humanity's quest for solutions to life's mystery. Tour takes approximately 90 minutes. The White Shaman Site is a 250' descent into a narrow brushy canyon. It can be extremely hot and humid. The trail is steep with loose rocks and uneven footing. The roundtrip is approx. 1.5 miles-—this is a strenuous hike.
The Curly Tail Panther
Devil's River - (Infrequent schedule, watch for email)
Ninety minute drive back to Del Rio and then north on US 277/377 to Rough Canyon road. Park above site which is situated high up the cliff face on the east side of the Devil's River. this tour involves a very steep descent from the canyon rim to a shelter 100' above the Devil's River. Narrow, poorly defined trail with steep drop offs make this tour impossible for people who are afriad of heights and for all except the very surefooted. Roundtrip approx. 0.5 miles. Trail is over loose rock, through brush, and along a high narrow ledge. This is a very difficult walk. Not recommended for the faint of heart! Classic views and remarkable rock art.
SEASONAL TOURS
Lewis Canyon Petroglyph Site
Pecos River [High clearance vehicle required]
Amidst the elaborate body of splendid colorful pictographs in the Lower Pecos region, one very different rock art site stands apart as the only large petroglyph site yet discovered, its over 900 abstract designs in many ways more enigmatic and mysterious than the paintings. About a two hour drive from Seminole Canyon including over an hour on rough ranch roads to within 100 yards of the site. Also includes visit to pictograph site in side canyon below the site on the Pecos River. Twelve miles of rough ranch road lead directly to site. The trip requires a high clearance vehicle but is an easy walk upon arrival. There is no protection from the elements as you are subject to weather extremes. This tour is conducted on the first Saturday in May.
Cedar Springs / Mystic Shelter
Devil's River [4-wheel drive high clearance vehicle required]
About a two and a half hour drive from Seminole Canyon. Tour negotiates very rough terrain along the Devil's River. Park at entrance to Cedar Springs with a short walk to the site. Lunch and then hike down river about a mile and a half to Mystic Shelter. Swim in the Devil's River afterwards. Spectacular scenery and rock art. This is an all day trip. This tour requires participants to have their own 4-WD high clearance vehicle. The hike includes a steep descent down to the river and then along exposed rock. It can be extremely hot. The walk is approx. 3 miles roundtrip on rough terrain - only for the surefooted. This is a strenuous walk. This tour is conducted on the first Saturday in January and June.
Bonfire Shelter/Eagle Cave
Located near Langtry, Bonfire Shelter (the bison kill site depicted in the exhibit at Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site) dates to 12,000 years BP and is the oldest example in the new world of the kill strategy demonstrated here. Eagle Cave, a large occupational site, is found in the same canyon. This tour involves a 100' descent into a canyon - no trail- deep loose rocks make walking difficult. Participants must be able to climb over large boulders. This is a strenuous walk or approx. 1.75 miles roundtrip. This tour is conducted the first Saturday in December and March and is available only to active RAF members at no charge. Reservations required. Group must be limited to 25 participants.
Meyers Springs
Tours conducted the Saturdays of Memorial & Labor Day weekends
Located near Dryden, Texas, Meyers Springs, on The National Register of Historic Places, is considered one of the “must see” rock art sites in Texas. The Meyers Springs site features a 100’ long prehistoric and historic rock art panel near the spring and the site of historic Ft. Meyers, the westernmost outpost of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts assigned to Fort Clark in Brackettville during the late 1800s. The site is nine miles by dirt road followed by a short walk on defined trails of loose rock and uneven terrain. It's an easy walk.
Seminole Canyon State Park
Presa Canyon & Upper Seminole Canyon
These tours are conducted by Seminole Canyon State Park. They feature back-country (no trails) hiking, and visits to rock art sites in secluded areas of the park. Dates are announced by the Park, and reservations should be made directly with the Park at 432-292-4464.
Presa is eight hours of walking without trails on rough , uneven ground with loose rocks, heavy brush, high humidity and heat - frequently with pools of water blocking the canyon. Patricipants must have backpack with no less than 1 gallon of water. This is a very difficult walk.
The Upper Canyon walk is approx. 3 miles involving a slow descent to Seminole Canyon floor with 250" exit climb on paved trail. Heavy brush, narrow canyon, poor trails, uneve ground, and loose rocks require surefooted individuals. Tour is rated as "strenuous".
Panther Cave/Parida Cave
Both sites are only accessible by boat at the present time. Boat docks are located at each site for easy access but these tours are only for the surefooted. Access can be steep and trails, although improved, can still be challenging. To arrange for a tour to these sites, contact Alan Wright in Comstock at 432-292-4451.
Halo Shelter
Located in the drainages of Dark Canyon and the Devil's River, Halo features many of the typical icons of Pecos River style rock art plus some unusual compositions and color schemes. Be prepared for rough roads — high clearance vehicles are a must and 4 wheel drive is preferred. The decent into Dark Canyon is steep — a difficult climb in and out of the canyon. Gloves are useful. Two other sites may also be visited depending on weather, road conditions and the availability of the land owner. This tour is offered the first Saturday in February.
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