The V-bar-V Ranch petroglyph site is the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley of central Arizona, and one of the best-preserved. The rock art site consists of 1,032 petroglyphs in 13 panels. Acquired by the Coconino National Forest in 1994, the site is protected and kept open to the public by the US Forest Service. Volunteers from the Verde Valley Archaeological Society and the Friends of the Forest provide interpretive tours and on-site management. The Red Rock Pass program provides funding for the protection, enhanced amenities, and facility maintenance under authority of the National Recreation Enhancement Act of 2005.

A visitor center, restroom and bookstore, operated by the Forest Service and the Arizona Natural History Association, is located on site. The fenced petroglyph site is an easy half-mile walk from the parking lot. For most of the year, there is a resident on-site custodian.

The type of rock art that is found here is called: Beaver Creek Rock Art Style. The Beaver Creek Style has been identified through several studies of rock art sites in the Beaver Creek area. Much of the research was done at V-Bar-V Heritage Site. This research has resulted in the definition of the Beaver Creek Style, which is that of the Southern Sinagua between A.D. 1,150 and 1,400.

A Google Earth Map search marks the center of the parking lot of the V-Bar-V Ranch Heritage Site at about: 34^o 39' 55.476" N 111^o 42' 57.852" W. The parking lot is at about 3,793 feet elevation.

The V-Bar-V Ranch Heritage Site is located 2.8 miles east of the junction of I-17 and SR179 (FR 618). Watch for the entrance on your right, less than one-half mile past the Beaver Creek Campgrounds.

Hours are currently 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (entrance gate closes at 3:00 p.m.), Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas).

Guided tours are provided by both the Verde Valley Archaeological Society and Friends of the Forest during these hours (petroglyph area is fenced and only accessible during regular visiting hours). These people are very nice, friendly, volunteers!

Before visiting the site, please read the Forest Service Guide on Archaeological Site Etiquette to help you better enjoy your visit without causing inadvertent damage to the site (written for the Palatki/Honanki ruins, but equally applicable here too).

From the V-Bar-V Ranch Heritage Site parking area: After parking your car, take the maintained trail from the visitor's center and parking area approximately a half-mile across a flat field to the petroglyph area. Restroom facilities are available at the visitor's center, and a new vault-type toilet is available near the rock-art site. Please stay away from the ranch buildings to the north of the parking area. Please also leave your pets at home, and don't smoke - in this dry climate, the fire danger is always high. Public water is NOT available - bring your own, or you may purchase bottled water from the visitor's center.

Note: Once you leave the visitor center you will take an easy trail in a southern direction along the east bank of Beaver Creek to the actual petroglyphs. It is not wheel chair friendly.

Most people do not realize that the V-Bar-V Ranch Heritage Site is just a little bit over a mile away to the north of Montezuma's Well!

Fees: A Red Rock Pass (or equivalent) is required on all vehicles parked at the V-Bar-V Heritage Site. This pass can be purchased at the V-Bar-V Heritage Site during normal hours of operation. One can also be purchased at the Red Rock Ranger District, 8375 State Route 179, Sedona, Arizona (Just south of the Village of Oak Creek).

Note: Pets are not allowed at the V-Bar-V Ranch Heritage Site.

For more information contact:
Red Rock Heritage Sites, P.O. Box 20429, Sedona AZ 86341, (928) 282-3854

The Sinagua (seen-ah-gwa):

The Sinagua are the best known regional group that anthropologists refer to as the Western Anasazi. The Sinagua occupied an area between Flagstaff and Phoenix, Arizona, including the Verde Valley and significant portions of the Mogollon Rim country, between about 500 and about 1,425 AD. They led a simple life based on corn farming and subsistence hunting and gathering at the periphery of the three major Southwest cultures.

After volcanic activity improved soil conditions around 1,000 AD, the Sinagua began to thrive by assimilating various elements from the major cultural groups. From the Hohokam they acquired village life and the use of ball courts; from the Anasazi they adopted cliff dwellings and water conservation practices; from the Mogollon they adopted pottery styles.

By the late 1,450s, the same natural and social stresses that destroyed the other cultures of the region engulfed the Sinagua as well. By about 1,425, they had completely disappeared. But, their dwellings and religious shrines can be found all over Central Arizona. One is even located in a city park in the city of Phoenix!

The early Sinagua sites consist of pit houses. Their later structures more closely resembled the pueblo architecture found in other cultures throughout the southwestern United States.

The name Sinagua was given to this culture by archaeologist Harold Colton, founder of the Museum of Northern Arizona. Sinagua is derived from the Spanish words "sin" meaning "without" and "agua" meaning "water", referring to the name "Sierra Sin Agua" which was originally given by the Spanish explorers to the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona.

Colton also distinguished between two different Sinagua cultures. The Northern Sinagua were clustered around the Flagstaff area, with Elden Pueblo, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, being the best-known publicly-accessible sites. The Southern Sinagua were found throughout the Verde Valley of Central Arizona. Most notable sites open to the public being; Montezuma's Castle, Montezuma's Well, Tuzigoot National Monument, the Palatki Archaeological Site, and the V-Bar-V Petroglyph Site.

The last known recording of Sinagua occupations for any of the Sinagua sites are of those in Montezuma Castle National Monument in about 1,425 AD.

The reasons for the abandonment of their habitation sites are not yet known; but warfare, drought, and clashes with the newly-arrived Yavapai people are possible suggestions.

Several of the Hopi clans trace their roots to immigrants from the Sinagua culture. The Hopi clans believe their ancestors left the Verde Valley for religious reasons.

Archaeologists are fairly sure that the Sinagua of this area were skilled farmers that planted, cultivated, and harvested; the corn, beans, and squash that were staple agriculture products of these people. They also collected wild plants, and berries to add to their diet. In addition they hunted the local wild game.

Archaeoastronomy:

There appear to be several instances of astronomical relationships at V Bar V Ranch. Here is one.

The Solar Pillar & Notch:

Just south of the Petroglyph Panels stands a natural pillar, with a natural notch of sandstone, created between the natural pillar and the face of the bluff, where the petroglyphs are carved. This creates an interesting display of light during the Winter Solstice.

On November 21 every winter; the sun, which has been slowly moving lower in the southern sky, suddenly appears at the left side of the top of the �Solar Notch.�

Then on December 21 every winter; the sun reaches its lowest position in the sky. At this time it also will appear in the lowest point within the �Solar Notch.�

As soon as it appears on December 21, the light from the sun produces what we call a �Solar Dagger�, which moves along the ground at the base of the Solar Panel.

Then, as the sun continues to move through the sky to the west; the �Solar Dagger� becomes shorter and moves closer to the Solar Panel.

A photo of the Solar Pillar & Notch is shown below.

Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions: snow in winter, hot sun in summer with afternoon thunderstorms from Mid June To Mid September. If there has been rain or snow recently, it is recommended that you contact the Red Rock Ranger District at (928)-282-4119 to learn the condition of the roads to the Site. If the roads are impassable, Palatki Heritage Site will be closed; signs indicating the closed status will normally be posted at the main access points.

Pets are not allowed on the trails, in the backcountry, in buildings, or tied to objects in the area. They are welcome in the parking areas on a leash. Warning: Summer temperatures may be fatal to pets left in vehicles.

How To Get There:

From Phoenix:

Head north on I-17, then take exit 298. Most of the traffic heads west to Sedona from this point onto State Route 179. Instead, you want to take a right turn onto FR618, and follow FR618 for about 2.5 miles, and cross the Beaver Creek bridge. Soon after the bridge the pavement ends and then a three-way fork in the road is encountered. Signage is in place to lead to the right. Pass through a gate and on into the huge trailhead parking area.

From Sedona:

Take Hwy. 89A Southwest through East Sedona and turn left at AZ-179 South for about .4 miles. Turn right to stay on AZ-179 South. Go for 6 miles. At the traffic signal, continue going straight so that you can stay on AZ-179 South. Go .8 miles. At the next traffic circle, continue going straight so that you can stay on AZ-179 South. Go 7.4 miles. Go under the overpass onto National Forest Road 618. Go onto National Forest Road 618 for 2.5 miles. Cross the Beaver Creek bridge. Soon after the bridge the pavement ends and then a three-way fork in the road is encountered. Signage is in place to lead to the right. Pass through a gate and on into the huge trailhead parking area.

There are many nice ruins in the area of Sedona. Most are near hiking trails. Some are easy to get to. Some are not.