The town's name comes from Native American pictographs painted on cliffs overlooking the nearby Concho River.

[7] They are located on a private ranch, property of the Cambell family who protect them and organizes tours for visitors.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Paint Rock has a total area of 1.64 square miles (4.26 km2), all land.

[9] A chapter titled "An Episode of Paint Rock" is devoted to the town in the 1895 book, A Lone Star Bo-Peep, and Other Tales of Texan Ranch Life written by Howard Seely.

[10] The chapter chronicles the week of May 5, 1883, in Paint Rock and features several local residents in the text.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.