V-Bar-V Heritage Site

A Rock Art Legacy from the Southern Sinagua of the Beaver Creek Community

This is the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley, as well as being one of the best-preserved. Acquired by the Coconino National Forest in 1994, the site is protected and kept open to the visiting public for their enjoyment and opportunity to learn more about our national cultural heritage. As partners in this effort, both 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. This website is intended to provide the potential visitor with background information about the site and its rock art.

A visitor center and bookstore, operated by the Forest Service and the Arizona Natural History Association, is located about 100 yards from the parking area.

The Beaver Creek Rock Art Style: Rock art is one type of archaeological data that can be used to identify prehistoric cultures and time periods. Various styles of rock art have been identified, based on the kinds of elements, unique elements, relationships between elements, and manufacturing techniques. By making these observations, various rock art styles have been defined for the prehistoric Southwest. One of these styles - the Beaver Creek Style - has been identified through the studies of rock art sites in the Beaver Creek area, especially here at V-Bar-V Heritage Site. This research has resulted in the definition of the Beaver Creek Style, which is diagnostic of the Southern Sinagua between A.D. 1150 and 1400.

The documentation of the V-Bar-V Heritage Site has provided important information for defining important characteristics of the Beaver Creek Style.

How To Visit: V-Bar-V 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 Campground.

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).

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).

From the V-Bar-V 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.

GPS: N34° 39' 55.476", W-111° 42' 57.852"

Fees: A Red Rock Pass (or equivalent) is required on all vehicles parked at our Cultural Sites. This pass can be purchased at these sites during normal hours of operation.

Note: Pets are not allowed at our Cultural Sites.

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