Barrier Canyon Style images often seem to be from another world, which the artists may have intended. The artist may have been the local shaman and these rock art sites could have been the site of spiritual ceremonies. Archaeologically, not a lot is known about this archaic hunter-gatherer culture so the art stands alone to some extent. And it is quite spectacular art, so much so that a fair number of Southwestern rock art admirers devote themselves mainly to viewing Barrier Canyon Style rock art panels.

Thompson Wash is only a few miles off of I-70, just north of Moab, and is the best, easily accessible Barrier Canyon site one can see. It also features painted historical Ute panels, a large pecked Fremont Southern San Rafael Style panel, and a Polychrome Abstract panel. This site is wheelchair accessible with picnic tables and restrooms. The best time to view the east-facing panel, above, is late morning and afterward, when the sun is off the panel, or in the morning if cloudy.