V Bar V Cultural Site

This is the largest known petroglyph site in Verde Valley and is extremely well preserved. Because it is staffed by volunteers, the site is only open 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You can drive fairly close to the bookstore and visitor's center but to get to the rock art, you must walk about a half mile on a dirt and gravel path. Because of the rough terrain it is not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. There are docents at the rock wall who are very knowledgeable, friendly and willing to share their knowledge of the origins of the artwork.Archeologists have attributed the carvings to the Southern Sinagua and estimated they were carved between 1150 and 1400 AD.Our docent explained how the sun casts a shadow across "sun symbols" at the equinox and the 3rd week of May (primary corn planting), as well as the summer and winter solstices, so the carvings also served a seasonal calendar.