The Safe Harbor Petroglyphs – Shenks Ferry, Pennsylvania - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

The Safe Harbor Petroglyphs

Shenks Ferry, Pennsylvania

A sacred collection of indigenous rock art. 

View all photos
The Safe Harbor Petroglyphs
The Safe Harbor Petroglyphs SpookyLittl3Girl (Atlas Obscura User)
7
104
Top Places in Pennsylvania
"The Dream Garden" by Tiffany
Tiffany Glass Mural "The Dream Garden"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Trundle Manor: House of Oddities
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nine Mile Run
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 See All
This entry is a stub
Help improve Atlas Obscura by expanding The Safe Harbor Petroglyphs with additional information or photos.

The Safe Harbor Petroglyphs at Big and Little Indian Rock in the Susquehanna River are the largest collections of Native American rock art in the northeastern United States.

There are over 400 carved images of wildlife, animal tracks, and other designs. They are believed to have been created hundreds of years ago or more by Algonquin tribes.

The works of art are only accessible by boat and are best viewed when the river water levels are low. They were more exposed in the past, but after the completion of a couple of hydroelectric dams in the area in the early 1900s, they are now more difficult to see and access.

Know Before You Go

Accessible to the public, but guided tours are recommended: http://safeharborpetroglyphs.com/


Use a sponge with water to temporarily accentuate the glyphs.


Important info!


This is a sacred site. Please follow the rules and regulations below:


Please conduct yourself in a careful, respectful manner.

Please do not pull kayaks, canoes, or boats onto petroglyph rocks.

Never use any material (chalk, crayons, paint, etc.) to ‘color in’ the petroglyphs!

Defacing the site is illegal!

Please only record the petroglyphs by photographing them.

Petroglyphs are best viewed during early morning and late afternoon on sunny days.

Even walking over the rocks and touching the images causes wear. 

Walk gently, in bare feet. Please avoid walking on images.

No Fires Please!

 

petroglyphs native americans history & culture
Community Contributors
SpookyLittl3Girl
Added by
SpookyLittl3Girl
Published
January 10, 2024
Edit this listing
Make an Edit Add Photos
Nearby
Indian Steps Museum
3.54 miles
Lancaster Crematorium
8.83 miles
Wheatland
9.32 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
The front of the museum
Airville, Pennsylvania

Indian Steps Museum

A small museum along the Susquehanna River is home to a rich collection of Native American artifacts.
Original window shutters on the back of the building.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster Crematorium

In this cemetery stands the country's first public crematorium.
A front view of James Buchanan's Wheatland.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Wheatland

The home of possibly the least-loved U.S. president stands as a sort of unpopular Monticello.
The Newspaper Reader
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

'Newspaper Reader'

This iconic Lancaster everyman has been reading the same story since 1980.
Related Places
Ballineale, Ireland

Loughcrew Cairns

These Neolithic burial mounds and a still-intact passage tomb may have solar calendar significance on the spring and autumn equinoxes.
North Rim, Arizona

Nankoweap Granaries

Hike up to this ancestral grain storage site, but don't touch.
Palm Springs, California

Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza

An ancient mineral hot spring sits at the middle of this combination cultural center and spa.
Taghit, Algeria

Taghit Petroglyphs

A set of ancient rock engravings that date back to the Neolithic period.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web