Fish Slough Petroglyphs

The Fish Slough Petroglyphs adorn some of the unique stone formations inside the Volcanic Tableland area, north of the town of Bishop.

Estimated at 1,000-8,000 years in age, the petroglyphs are believed to have come from the ancestors of the Paiute-Shoshone peoples. While the number of rock drawings here are far fewer than other nearby petroglyph areas, the stone formations here are very dramatic examples of the volcanic history of the area, and are worth looking at.

Pyroclastic flows from the Long Valley Caldera that occurred about 750,000 years ago left hardened ashflow. Over time, this stone has eroded amidst the valley floor, resulting in unusual formations and shapes. Combined with the area's existence at the cusp of the Northern Mojave and Great Basin boundaries, the stone is part of a landscape that also includes a unique combination of biological diversity.

A fence marks the parking area with the stone right behind it. 

Visitors should be aware that there is no cell service out here, and there are no amenities of any kind in the area. Reaching the petroglyphs requires driving several miles on graded gravel roads that should generally be passable to all vehicle types in dry conditions.