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For years, each time we visited Sedona, we tried to go to the Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site. But every time we went, it was closed due to inclement weather, mud, or just trying to visit on the wrong day.
This year, we finally made it to see the giant wall of petroglyphs. And holy smokes, it did not disappoint.
When we visited these Sedona petroglyphs, we were lucky enough to have a volunteer ranger at the petroglyph wall explaining the historian’s beliefs on these ancient rock carvings.
We’re going to do our best to explain what we learned and fill in the gaps with the need to know information so you don’t drive out there clueless like we did the first few times!
Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site Quick Bits
- Coordinates | 34.665412, -111.716057 | 17 miles south of Sedona, Arizona
- Opening Times | Friday – Monday 9:30-3:00, with intermittent closures, more on that below.
- Entry Fee | Red Rock Pass $5 per day, or National Park Pass
- Amount of Petroglyphs | Over 1,000 petroglyphs. It’s the largest petroglyph site in the Verde Valley.
- Pets | Pets are not allowed at any heritage site or ruins in Sedona
- Accessibility | Fully accessible paths
Opening Times
Sedona has some interesting weather, and with the interesting weather comes varying times of the different heritage sites in the area being open.
At Crane Petroglyphs, if the weather is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit the site will completely close.
We also found out that if it’s been heavily raining causing the site to be muddy, the site will close down completely — sometimes for days on end! This happened to us the first two times we were in Sedona in the winter.. A major bummer!
This Sedona heritage site also closes in the afternoons, it’s only open until 3:00 pm and is closed Tuesday – Thursday.
V Bar V No More
Up until March 2024, Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site was actually called V Bar V Heritage Site.
However, the local native tribes in the area wanted the heritage site to more accurately reflect who they were, as V Bar V had nothing to do with the tribes.
The forest service granted their request, changing the name from V Bar V Heritage Site to Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site in Spring 2024.
The History and Cultural Significance
Speaking of the native tribes in the area, the Crane Petroglyphs are attributed to the Sinagua people. They lived in the Verde Valley region from around 650 to 1450 CE.
These petroglyphs provide a glimpse into the lives, beliefs, and practices of the indigenous people who inhabited the area long before European settlers arrived.
Historians believe these carvings served various purposes, from storytelling and ceremonial uses to astronomical and agricultural guidance. Many symbols represent animals, human figures, and celestial objects, offering a fascinating look at how the Sinagua people connected with the world around them.
Do The Petroglyphs Tell Time?
When we went to see the petroglyphs, we thought we were just going to look at a large amount of wall art on the walls. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find a ranger at the petroglyphs explaining the significance of different carvings.
These rangers are volunteers from either the Verde Valley Archaeological Society and the Friends of the Forest, and when they’re there, they are an extremely valuable resource for understanding the petroglyphs at a deeper level.
Historians believe that the petroglyphs on the walls can tell time.
For both the winter and summer solstice, there is evidence of sun carvings being directly illuminated via rocks placed in the cracks of the wall, creating somewhat of a clock.
The Corn Harvesting Season
Not only that, but there is a step-style petroglyph (pictured below) that when illuminated, matches the corn harvest cycle, and potentially even warns of the upcoming monsoon season.
We learned these things and more from the volunteer rangers at the petroglyph site. I highly suggest you give Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site a ring, +1 928 592 0998, to make sure a ranger’s there to explain the wall art if you have a flexible schedule.
The insight into the meanings of the different petroglyphs from the rangers is truly priceless.
Hiking To The Petroglyph Wall
We honestly did no research into the petroglyph wall before heading out to Crane Petroglyphs. And for some reason, I wasn’t expecting any sort of hike/walk to the wall. I kind of thought it would just be a get out of your car and you’re there.
However, that wasn’t the case. The walk from the parking lot to the petroglyph wall is just over a mile round trip, and while it’s mostly flat, there is no shade. We suggest bringing water with you because it can get extremely hot, even in the winter, and wear sun protection too.
All the trails at Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site are fully accessible via a fine gravel path. The biggest slope (5-8%) is from the parking lot to the visitor center and there are no stairs here.
Preservation and Visitor Etiquette
Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site is a protected area, and visitors are encouraged to respect the site by staying on designated paths, avoiding touching the petroglyphs and refraining from leaving any trash.
These simple steps ensure this historical treasure remains intact for future generations.
Is Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site Worth The Drive?
Yes! It’s definitely worth the drive! If you get up for a sunrise hike in Sedona, and then head straight to this heritage site, you can visit it and then get back to do a sunset hike!
Alternatively, if visiting in the warmer months, start with a sunrise hike in Sedona, we love Sugarloaf as an easy sunrise hike, visit Crane Petroglyphs, and then stop in at Beaver Creek for an afternoon swim, before heading back to Sedona to catch a dreamy Sedona sunset!
The drive from Sedona to Crane Petroglyph is fully paved except for the driveway to the parking lot, making it much more accessible than the other heritage sites in Sedona.
Nearby Heritage Sites
- Montezuma Castle National Monument | A preserved cliff dwelling showcasing Sinagua culture.
- Montezuma Well | Part of the Montezuma Castle National Monument, with cliff dwellings and an interesting look at history.
- Tuzigoot National Monument | Ruins of an ancient pueblo on a hilltop.
Looking for a guided tour of heritage sites near Sedona? Check current pricing here.
Other Recommendations For Visiting Sedona
We’ve spent a significant time in Sedona over the past few years. We’ve hiked or biked over 50 different trails in Sedona, collecting information to share with our readers, that’s you!
There’s a lot about Sedona that can be super stressful, and I can’t image only having a couple of days in Sedona without knowing about the parking situation, where to catch the best sunset in Sedona, or having an idea of a full-day Sedona itinerary like this, which brings you to some of the lesser known epic places.
Wondering what to expect in Sedona? Start here on our Sedona Travel Guide.
Want to save money visiting Sedona? Try camping in Sedona for free at some of these epic sites!
Planning to visit the famous Subway Cave? Be sure to read this complete guide to the Sedona Subway Cave first.
Stressed about packing for Sedona? We’ve got you covered! Find the best hiking shoes for Sedona and what else to pack here.
