“Places in Austin, NV”
Bookended by 7,000-foot mountain ranges at either end, the route between Austin and Eureka is perhaps the longest, flattest, straightest stretch of the entire trans-Nevada length of US-50, over 70 miles of Great Basin nothingness. Cattle ranches fill the plains, which were crisscrossed by early explorers like John C. Fremont, who passed through in 1845, as well as by the Pony Express and the Butterfield Stage. Such recent history, however, pales in comparison to the relics from the region’s prehistoric past, particularly the fine petroglyphs carved into the rocks on the eastern side of 6,594-foot Hickison Summit, 28 miles east of Austin and 46 miles west of Eureka. Now protected as part of the BLM-operated Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area, the petroglyphs stand in a shallow sandstone draw on the north side of the highway. A half-mile trail loops through sagebrush, junipers, and piñon pines from the parking area-cum-campground past dozens of these enigmatic figures, some of which are thought to date back as far as 10,000 bc. Somewhat surprisingly, so far they are graffiti-free.
Reviews of Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area
28 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G/5G
Confirmed by 12 users | Last reported on May 13, 2024AT&T 4G/5G
Confirmed by 6 users | Last reported on May 13, 2024T-Mobile 4G/5G
Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on October 04, 2023Out in the middle of nowhere, it's a great self guided tour of petroglyphs carved in stone. Some pretty vistas, great rock scrambling for our kids. Small pine trees, picnic area, and pit toilets. No water. There is a campground too, which we didn't visit. I'd give it a lower rating for the facilities, but it's so far away from civilization, I can't imagine there's much of a budget for maintenance. Bring some toilet paper just in case 😉
This place was pretty desolate. Not much around and about a 2 mile drive down a Gravel road to get to the small, single loop campground. We arrived in a 30ft travel trailer and were able to set up relatively easy. Maybe 10 sites. no hookups at all!
We arrived around 630 on a Summer Saturday evening and there were only about 5 other campers.
Pit toilets. Hit or miss toilet paper. No water to wash hands.
Lots of little lizards, big grasshoppers, bugs. Neat petroglyphs about 10 minute walk.
Sites are sandy and Gravel so expect to bring blocks to level trailers. Sites are back in or tent sites. Fire pits. Coverage over tables. Trash cans. We'll cared for little campground.
A great break on Highway 50. Wonderful petroglyphs and nice easy hiking. Highly recommend a stop especially with kids. Modern graffiti is sad but you can still see some ancient art.
Was here in APR 2017
Nice little off the road campground with something to do. Dirt road was not bad at all, a little rough at times, but ok. Sites could use a little touch up here and there, paint, weeds, trimming etc. doesn't look like it gets much attention, but still works ok. Sites are a little small but manageable, leveling is a little tricky. Hike to point is short and sweet, not bad at all. Petro's are ok, a little hard to distinguish, but so is Graffiti which I call these the original Graffiti artists.
Hike up to the top of the hill was nice, terrific views both sides of hill. A lot of day use and one nighters.
Had a Snow Dusting in APR when there. No big deal, just a dusting.
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 5
Site Number: ??
There are three spots here where a longer rig can fit. Our truck and fifth wheel are about 44'. We were able to get into a spot, but maneuvering around the trees and the circle around which the sites are located was more challenging. As with other BLM sites, arrival before dark is a must to insure your rig's safety.
Primitive toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, and trashcans are available, with some sites having small picnic shelters. The trashcans are not attended to regularly, resulting in regular overflows.
In addition to the campsites there is a gathering area and, the main attraction, a petroglyph preservation site. To reach both of these, turn left rather than right at the end of the dirt road entrance.
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: n/a
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
Not really big rig friendly. No problem with our van. No water. Toilet was clean and trash cans were provided. What more do you want?
Nightly Rate: -
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: -
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 5G
Quiet, clean and far enough from the road to not hear it. Not all sites have rings but they do seem to all have a picnic table, some with shade.
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: -
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 5G
AT&T 5G
So yeah this was a perfect stop going across Nevada on the Loneliest Hwy. Nice little hiking trails around petroglyphs and they also have restrooms and trash cans. Perfect BLM spot .
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 2
Great Boondocking would’ve stayed longer but have somewhere else to be. Each site had a covered picnic table, a firing ring and a barbecue grill. The trail was very interesting and easy for even the beginners. The trail included a self-guided brochure which pointed out many interesting facts. The views were breathtaking. Would definitely and probably will stay here again. The road to the camp ground was a dirt road but not bad at all. Easy to find.
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: ?
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
Nice campsite with plenty of trees for shade. Kind of hard to find a level spot to park. Beautiful views. Only bad side was the bathrooms. They stunk so bad. I have stayed in plenty of places with vault toilets and these were by far the worst. I probably won't be back for that reason alone.
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: -
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
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Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Max Stay
- 14
- Max Length
- 25 ft
- Affiliation
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Last Nightly Rate
- 0.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 0.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 37.0
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Laundry
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Propane
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Showers
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Big Rigs
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Boondock
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Firewood
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Tent Sites
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Cabin Sites
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Full Hookup
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Dump Station
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Mobile Homes
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Public Water
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Pull Through
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Water Hookup
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Age Restricted
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Rec Facilities
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Dispersed Sites
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Open Seasonally
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Permit Required
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Group Tent Sites
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Fulltime Residents
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Standard Tent Sites
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Pull Through RV Sites
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