Arizona Off the Beaten Path Tips by madamx

V Bar V used to be a working ranch located on the edge of Beaver Creek. To reach V Bar V, you must travel on fairly good dirt roads (do not attempt this trip if it is raining) There is a small information centre where you must register, and the petroglyphs are located on a cliff face about a 5 minute walk from the information centre.

V Bar V is the largest petroglyph site in the Verde Valley, and they have identified about 1,032 individual petroglyphs here. You can even see where the rancher in the late 1800's tried to add his name to the petroglyphs by chiselling his initials on the rock face.

V Bar V is only open Friday through Monday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and they can close the site at any time for various reasons, such as research or archeological digs. So, if you plan to head out, you takes yer chances. However, if you are even remotely interested in petroglyphs, it is well worth your while.

Directions: it's hard to explain how to get there, as the site is on unmarked dirt roads, so your best bet is to ask the park service personnel at Montezuma Well, as the site is not far from there. They will give you a clear map and directions, and perhaps can phone for you to see if the site is open for visitors.

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This site gives you great bang for your buck: a chance to see rock art that is 6,000 years old, and a chance to climb into an ancient Singaua dwelling.

Palatki is situated in a beautiful red rock canyon and the cliff dwelling you can go into was occupied from 100 to 1300. There are a couple of short, rocky, fairly steep trails to see the sites. If you think you will have trouble walking these, you can view the dwellings from a viewpoint on a loop trail, but not the rock art. There are very informative interpreters stationed at the art and the dwellings. You even get a chance to see 900 year old fingerprints, where someone was applying mud to the dwelling. Do make time to see this site if you can.

You reach Palatki by driving on dirt and gravel roads, and don't attempt this trip if it is raining as conditions on the roads can deteriorate rapidly. You must phone ahead and reserve yourself a spot as there are only 20 parking spaces available at one time.

The site is open from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, 7 days a week.

Directions: Head south on Highway 89A, and make a right-hand turn onto FR 525, about 8 miles from Cottonwood. Then, follow the signs. Watch carefully for the turn-off, as the sign is quite small. If you do miss it, there is a left hand turn bay heading north on Highway 89, and plenty of turn arounds located on the Highway, if you do drive past the turn-off.

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Phone: 928-282-3854
Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/palatki-ruins.shtml