Exploring Around Gila Bend

Painted Rock Petroglyphs and Gila Bend History

Related campgrounds: Painted Rock Petroglyph

Explore Gila Bend, Arizona—from Cold War jets and the historic Stout’s Hotel to ancient petroglyphs, a 9/11 memorial, and the Gillespie Dam Bridge along old Highway 80. A short trip, full of surprises. Just off State Route 85 near the northern entrance to Gila Bend, a pair of Cold War-era jets catch your eye—two RF-101C Voodoo reconnaissance aircraft, posed like museum pieces in the open desert. Once tasked with flying deep into enemy territory to gather intelligence, today they mark the start of a surprisingly rich detour through Arizona’s past. Roll into town and you’ll find the historic Stout’s Hotel, its thick adobe walls still standing strong after more than a century. Built in the 1920s, this two-story landmark was once a major stop for travelers heading west on Highway 80, back when it was one of the main cross-country routes before the interstates took over. Right next door is a small 9/11 Memorial Park—quiet, shaded, and anchored by a steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center. It's a poignant contrast to the dust and heat just beyond its borders. East of town lies one of the area’s most fascinating archaeological treasures: the Painted Rock Petroglyph Site. For over a thousand years, Native peoples—including the Hohokam and Patayan—left behind intricate rock carvings here, covering massive boulders with symbols, figures, and mysterious shapes. The site offers a glimpse into a cultural legacy far older than the highways and railroads that followed. Speaking of roads, a little detour south takes you along a remnant of Historic U.S. Route 80—once known as the “Broadway of America.” It winds its way toward the Gila River, where the impressive Gillespie Dam Bridge still stretches across the dry riverbed. Built in 1927, this steel truss bridge was a vital link between Phoenix and Yuma, and it remains one of the longest bridges of its type in the state. Nearby, the remains of the Gillespie Dam—breached in a flood in 1993—stand as a testament to both early engineering and the raw power of desert waterways. From Cold War aircraft to ancient carvings, and from forgotten highways to river crossings of the past, the Gila Bend area is full of contrasts—historic, cultural, and scenic. It’s a casual drive that becomes much more than you expect if you’re willing to slow down and explore.