How To Visit The V-Bar-V Ranch Petroglyph Site

The Coconino National Forest, in cooperation with the volunteers from the Friends Of The Forest and the Verde Valley Archaeological Society, has opened the V-Bar-V site to the public as one of the sites in the Verde Valley Fee Demo Project. This is a special Congressional authorization that allows 80% of the fees collected to be used here to support the protection and interpretation of the site. The user fee is $3; Golden Age and Golden Access card holders receive a 50% discount (fee $1.50); children under 16 accompanied by an adult are allowed in at no charge. Please bring exact change; site staff and volunteers do not have a change fund. 80% of the user fee collected goes to supporting the protection and interpretation of the site. Hours are currently 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (entrance gate closes at 3:30 P.M), Friday through Monday (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas); volunteers from the Friends of the Forest and the Verde Valley Archaeological Society conduct guided tours of the site during these hours. Note: the petroglyph panels are protected by a high fence, and access is not possible outside regular visiting hours. Contact the Sedona Ranger District Station, 250 Brewer Road, Sedona (Brewer Road is the first left south of the intersection of 89A and 179; there is a sign for the Ranger Station), or call (928)282-3854 for current status.

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


Map from Arizona Republic 4/24/99
 The V-Bar-V Ranch Petroglyph Site is located 2.8 mi. from the Sedona Interchange (Exit 298) on Interstate 17

From Sedona: Take Rte. 179 from the "Y" junction with 89A in Sedona east towards I-17. At the I-17 Sedona interchange (exit 298), continues straight (under the highway) onto Forest Road 618. Drive approximately 2.8 miles on this paved road until you pass the Forest Service Camp Ground and cross the bridge over Beaver Creek. The entrance to V-Bar-V Ranch is immediately to your right after you cross the bridge. The parking area is a short distance down the entrance road. Forest Road 618 is narrow, especially when crossing Red Tank Draw and Beaver Creek; please drive carefully.

From Phoenix(Flagstaff): Take I-17 North(South) to the Sedona/Rte. 179 Interchange (exit 298); at the bottom of the exit ramp, turn east away from the Sedona direction onto Forest Road 618. From this point, follow the directions above.

From the V-Bar-V Ranch parking area: After parking your car, take the easy trail from the southwestern end of the parking area approximately half-a-mile to the petroglyph area. Rest facilities are available at the parking area, and near the end of the trail to the petroglyphs. No water is available - bring your own. 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.

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