The Blythe Intaglios are a collection of Native American created geoglyphs, or figures scraped into the ground, that are relatively easy to reach.
Set in the Colorado River floodplain, the figures at the Blythe Intaglios are significant because they are amongst the only known human geoglyph figures in North America. With the taller figures sized at about 170', they are estimated to have been created over a thousand years ago, however as the landscape was vast and sparsely inhabited, it wasn't until the 1930's that a pilot passing over the area noticed the figures.
Upon visiting, it's easy to see how they went overlooked for so long. Viewed at ground level, the figures are so large that if it wasn't for the protective chain link fencing placed around them, they would be easy to miss altogether. With geoglyphs spread out and set on opposite sides of the wash, it may take a good amount of walking to find them. A poorly marked dirt road heads west from Highway 95 and begins climbing on a well marked BLM road. The best way to see the intaglios is to leave the car on the side of the dirt road and walk a couple minutes toward the fencing. There are interpretive signs describing the figures. Smaller passenger vehicles may need to park at the base of the road and walk.
The significance and what the figures represent aren't exactly known. There are theories that they represent mythical figures or were ceremonial sites.
Today, the geoglyphs lie in a quiet edge of the Colorado River area north of the city of Blythe.
There are no amenities of any kind located at the site or along the road. There is also no shade at all.
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