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The White Shaman Preserve, located on the Pecos River and 2 miles west of Seminole Canyon State Park, is one of the most significant archaeological sites in North America.
The White Shaman is one of thirty-five contributing sites in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands Archeological district with National Historic Landmark status. The mural, painted thousands of years ago, is considered to be a cosmologically complex narrative, illustrating the lifeways, beliefs and spirituality of the first indigenous people of what we now call Texas. The multilayered composition, one of the best preserved Pecos River style pictographs in the region depicts the birth of the sun and the dawn of time the changing seasons and more.
The Witte Museum has a long history with the Canyonlands of the Lower Pecos. In 1931, the Museum’s Assistant Director, “Miss Emma” Gutzeit, led expeditions to archaeological sites while artist Virginia Carson pioneered efforts to document Lower Pecos rock paintings. Currently the Witte houses more than 20,000 artifacts from these ancient historic sites.
The Witte’s Mission to shape the future of Texas inspires us to provide weekly tours from early Fall to late Spring for the public to experience the majesty of the White Shaman Mural. Reservations are required and spaces are limited. Participants must be ages 12 & up. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Participants must be aware of the remote and extreme environmental conditions and terrain into which the tour travels. This tour involves hiking a considerable distance with a 250 foot descent and ascent, equivalent to climbing 50 flights of stairs into a narrow brushy canyon. Getting to the site requires climbing numerous narrow stairs up a steep slope. At any time of the year, desert heat can be extreme. Desert hikes require stamina, balance, a tolerance for heat and a higher level of physical conditioning. Tours are very strenuous involving uneven trails, high places, loose rocks, heavy brush and steep descents. Climbs and can be dangerous for those in poor physical condition. Medical help is not quickly available and serious injuries due to poor physical conditioning can be catastrophic. You must carefully evaluate your ability before participation. You will be in a remote location where response to serious injuries and medical emergencies will be difficult and lengthy.
Available September thru May. Saturdays at 12:30pm
Tour Difficulty: (Very Strenuous) There is a 250 foot descent into a narrow brushy canyon and the trail is steep with loose rocks and uneven footing. At any time of the year, desert heat can be extreme.
Round-trip Distance: 1.5 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Vehicle Requirements: There are no vehicle requirements for this tour.
Upcoming Dates:
Questions?
Contact the Reservations Team at 210.357.1910 or Reservations@WitteMuseum.org
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All Witte tours must be paid in advance to ensure your reservation. Only those paid in advance are guaranteed a place on the tour. Cancellations must be made a minimum of 10 days prior to the tour to receive a full refund. Cancellations made after the 10 day minimum are non-refundable. Tours may be cancelled due to weather conditions, extreme heat/cold, limited participation, road conditions, lake/river levels, etc. If a tour is cancelled by the Witte Museum, a full refund will be issued. If a tour participant does not arrive at the gate on time, and therefore misses the tour, their ticket cost will not be refunded. For the safety of the group and at the discretion of the Guide, tours may be cancelled at any stage during the tour for any reason. Requests for private tours must be submitted in writing to reservations@wittemuseum.org.
Photographs or video taken on the property of the White Shaman Preserve of the Witte Museum are for personal use only. All requests to reproduce images for research, exhibition, publication or distribution must be submitted to the Registrar’s office at collections@wittemuseum.org. For protection of this special archaeological site, we request that participants minimize the use of electronics. Do not share locational information for sites on private land and the use of drones is not permitted.
The Witte Museum is proud to be a conservation steward of the White Shaman Preserve, a nationally recognized historic site. As an elite accredited museum with the American Alliance of Museums, we have the highest standards to uphold. The use of open flame or smudging or smoking of any kind in the shelter is not allowed under any circumstances. Removal of any artifact, cultural or paleontological remains is prohibited.
The Witte Museum’s White Shaman Preserve is a sacred site. Requests for ceremonial use of the White Shaman Preserve must be submitted in writing to the Witte Museum. Approval of requests will be weighed against the risk to the site, human safety and museum resources. Availability to White Shaman Preserve is limited, so any request must be scheduled in advance.
Founded in 1926, the Witte Museum is where Nature, Science and Culture Meet, through the lens of Texas Deep Time, and the themes of Land, Water and Sky. Located on the banks of the San Antonio River in Brackenridge Park, the Witte Museum is San Antonio’s premier museum promoting lifelong learning through innovative exhibitions, programs and collections in natural history, science and South Texas heritage.
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site offers guided tours to Fate Bell Shelter and other stunning rock art sites.
Shumla Archaeological Research & Educational Center is a global leader in rock art research and education.
These tours are only possible through the kind cooperation and generosity of various landowners. The Witte firmly supports their rights as private landowners, who act as devoted stewards for these irreplaceable archaeological treasures. With trust and friendship, they have offered their properties on these limited dates as a truly unique experience.
Become a Witte Member for discounted pricing on all Rock Art Tours – JOIN NOW
Access to these site is restricted, reservations are required. Participants must be ages 12 & up. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Experience the amazing rock shelters located in Eagle Nest Canyon. On this tour, you will visit Eagle Cave, Skiles Shelter, Kelley Cave, and Bonfire Shelter. Bonfire Shelter is a nationally significant site that preserves evidence of what may be the oldest and southernmost “bison jump” in North America. Rock art in Eagle Cave has been radiocarbon dated between 3350-3210 years old and was recorded by Mary Virginia Carson of the Witte Museum in 1931.
Tour Difficulty: (Very Strenuous)
The hike is into a very steep and rough canyon. Stamina, agility and good balance are a must and climbing (knees to chest) over large boulders is required. This tour involves a 100 ft. descent into a canyon with no trail. Deep loose rocks make walking difficult. You will be in a remote location where response to serious injuries and medical emergencies will be difficult and lengthy.
Availability:
February and December
Duration:
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (6.5 hours)
Round-trip Distance:
1.75 miles
Vehicle Requirements:
There are no vehicle requirements for this tour.
Location:
Langtry, TX
Meyers Spring, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located on the northwestern edge of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands. The pictograph site and spring have been a center for human activity for thousands of years from prehistoric to modern times, first by Indigenous people and later by western settlers. The rock art panel spans over 300 feet and consists of Pecos River style pictographs, historic post-contact Indigenous pictographs, historic non-native graffiti, and modern graffiti. Camp Meyers, a historic military outpost is closely tied to the history of westward expansion and Indian removal and is well known for its association with the Black Seminole Indian Scouts.
Tour Difficulty: (Easy)
Easy walk on trails of loose rock and uneven terrain.
Availability:
September and May
Duration:
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (6 hours)
Round-trip Distance:
¾ of a mile hike with 2 stops.
Vehicle Requirements:
High clearance vehicle required, you will be traveling long distances on rough unpaved ranch roads.
Location:
Private Ranch 10 miles northeast of Dryden in Terrell County, Texas.
Located in a tributary near the pristine Devils River north of Comstock, Halo Shelter features some of the best preserved Pecos River style pictographs in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands Archaeological District. The complex hundred-foot mural has been radiocarbon dated to be 2,000 years old and features over 100 anthropomorphic figures intermixed with enigmatic icons and animalistic figures. The site gets its name from the unique “halos” that are painted above the heads of several anthropomorphic, or human-like figures.
Tour Difficulty: (Moderate Hike) Getting to the site requires descending and ascending into a steep canyon with the use of a rope. Participants must be prepared and physically conditioned for this challenging requirement. Gloves are recommended.
Availability:
February and October
Duration:
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (6 hours)
Round-trip Distance:
¼ of a mile hike.
Vehicle Requirements:
High clearance 4WD vehicle required, you will be traveling on rough unpaved ranch roads.
Location:
Private Ranch near Comstock, Texas
