It was interesting but many of the petroglyphs were high in the rocks. It made seeing them difficult. I guess the best part for us was the building. There we could get some information about the peoples that drew them. In my opinion, a better place to see petroglyphs more closely would be at White Tank Regional Park. read more

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve - One of the closest petroglyphs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve In the Phoenix, Sun City area. Open 8 to 2 Wednesday through Saturday. There is a small entry fee but I don't mind helping to support the University's work I think it's $5 for seniors. Of course covid has changed everything so you need to check in on the Is hours with the website. There It's very accessible although it's not really a paved ADA wheelchair accessibility A beach wheelchair might do fine if someone was helping to push. It's a gravel trail so seniors that are mobile should have no problem. Families with children should have no problem. It's a little more than a quarter mile down the trail. They seem to be relying on the audio tour inside and outside though I believe it's posted on spotify. It actually makes me a little sad that they're not relying on volunteers or students as much anymore. It seems to be a trend and it's probably related to covid possibly, to modern Digital Culture rather than human interaction culture that I and my generation come from. I'm also sure like everyone else in the service industry it's urban industry they're finding it hard to get volunteers and employees. It reminds me of the self service lines in grocery stores and retail now, It's all about speed and efficiency rather than service. There was an archeological student from the University of Arizona, who was doing some kind of trail sweep who I naturally engaged in a conversation with, she had a wealth of information about the site and she enjoyed talking about it as well as some of the frustrations of trespasser's and worrying about artifact theft and vandalism. There was no one else around so we talked for 45 minutes. When I asked her about her future in archeology she felt that it was probably going to be in museum work cause that was the only place that you could possibly get a salary if you weren't teaching. I always enjoy listening and learning from bright young people about their passions. The rock art was produced by Archaic (before 150 CE,) Hohokam (1 - 1450 CE,) and Patayan (ca. 900-800 CE) cultures. It focuses on the rock art found a short way from the building on an outcropping of basalt boulders found along a quarter mile trail facing southeast. Unfortunately I wasn't smart enough to ask the student about differentiating from the different the different time periods of rockheart and asking her to show me some examples. I really recommend a visit especially for families and seniors of a certain age or for initial cultural markings experience. It's will also help you get oriented to the indigenous culture of the Phoenix area. The museum and interpretive centre discusses the site and its petroglyphs as well as tools and pottery associated with the site and Hohokam culture. Archaeology of the site includes features aside from the rock art which are described in the museum, but are not accessible to visitors. These include the remains of a pit house with middens and cooking areas, and the foundations of two masonry rooms top the outcropping where the majority of petroglyphs were found. It's heartening to see that this site helped to preserve an acreage of desert from encroaching development, the fragility of such sites will only increase with with increased tourism, and they do there best to manage it. A small number of rock art pieces were actually moved to their current location when the nearby dam was built. (All moved pieces are so identified.) The preserve is the result of a partnership by a number of organizations, including the Army Corps of Engineers, Maricopa Flood Control District and Arizona State University. The site is protected and operated by Arizona State University. read more

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve - Petroglyphs that cite his named for - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

What a neat place! Conveniently located off 43rd Ave, just north of the 101. I spent about an hour there with my kids. They were given a sheet with petroglyphs to search for which kept them engaged the entire time. Definitely wear sunglasses because the sun makes it hard to see some of the designs. It was clean, easy to find and very educational. The staff was very nice and helpful. read more

It's a nice short 1/2 mile wheelchair accessible hike. We saw several animals & enjoyed spotting the petroglyphs throughout the park. read more

See all

This is a small preservation museum that has so many interesting artifacts and live petrogrlyphs. The fee to get in is about nine dollars a person. So worth it. This place is rich with history and narrative. They have volunteers on the trail that will assist you in finding petroglyphs and provide you with more history. Before you go on the trail there are workers there to give you a quick orientation of where to find certain areas and how to go about it. The trail is so relaxing with some wildlife and native plants. They provide you with a map and there are markers on the trail to tell you what is in front of you. This was helpful. Check out their gift shop they had a 20% off while we are there. Just keep.in mind that this is a small museum and it matches the entrance fee. If you are. Hoatry junkie you will love it. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. read more

Came here with my mom, we loved it! The more you look, the more you see, and it was almost a game trying to spot the drawings. The space is fantastic and I loved that there wasn't much to the outdoor space, just being in the natural setting was fabulous. Yes it's sunny, yes it may be warm, but what else would you expect. I'd love to come back because I guess that in a different light different Petroglyphs would be visible. Very friendly staff and a cute kids space too. read more

See all

I was setup for disappointment on account of the false advertisements. I actually read reviews before I went here. They are way off. The ads said there were thousands of petroglyphs here, even suggesting to come at 10AM when the sun shines on the glyphs and to bring your own binoculars. On top of that, the website said that there is a butterfly exhibit in Feb. that was part of the "tour". Sounds awesome, right? And I'm a pretty good photographer too. So I get here. The visitor's center is nice and informative. However, the price is a little steep for what you get. I walk through the back gate and enter the trail. It's a flat, pebbled trail, only a 1/4 mile long. There is no "tour guide", nor a "tour". There was no butterfly exhibit. I'm there at exactly 10AM and there are not thousands of petroglyphs. Even with the binocs, they are hard to find and faded. For just $6 parking, you can see way more glyphs at South Mountain Park on the Kiwanis Trail. The most exciting part about this tour was that a large squirrel approached us (see attached photos) and was really, really curious about us. You reach the end of the trail and that's when you figure out that you've been duped. If it wasn't government run, it would have been shut down a long time ago. read more

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

I got a culture pass and took a Saturday stroll down the trail with my toddler. My review it not based on the Indian artifact though. I went because my son LOVES rocks!! We saw all sorts of frogs, squirrels, birds, bunnies, bugs, and oh so many rocks. It's a pleasent walk with a drinking fountain near the end and there are places to sit along the trail. There is a nice little garden you can walk in the gated area to observe the plants growing. It's a great safe trail for kids. My son absolutely loved it and we will be back again for another stroll in the future. read more

See all

We decided to go as a family one Sunday afternoon, to get outdoors, and do something together. We even took the dogs. The DVRAC consists of a small building that gives you the info about the history of the area, and what you are about to see outside. Once you exit the other side, you start on a short trail, that includes numbered stops. Your brochure has information about each stop. Or, you can wait until a tour starts, and have it all explained to you. There are also scheduled demonstrations and talks. We were the only people there, so we really took our time, and examined everything. It's amazing how many petroglyphs there are, and so close together. You could spend a lot of time just hunting with your eyes. I did wish I had brought my binoculars, since some of them are a way up the hill. We too, met Bear, who is actually not a ranger, but is employed by ASU. The property is owned by the company that built the dam, on which the building sits, and the facility is administered by students of ASU's anthropology, geology, and similar departments. At any rate, since we were the only people there, Bear was able to spend a good deal of time talking with us. If you would like to meet him, hurry -- he is retiring soon. All in all, the Deer Valley Rock Art Center is a fun, inexpensive, educational way to spend an hour or two outdoors, and isn't very far away. read more

See all

This site is so cool! Thete's a little welcome center/gallery/gift shop we walk through to get out and onto the trail. This is a lava field. The brochure gives brief information on each site, things to look for & thought provoking questions. Rattlesnake signs everywhere. So pay attention. Rattlesnakes sound like a lawn sprinkler. The petraglyphs were amazing and so many. It was so exciting to see the images and read about them. It was a fun activity. Towards the end of the trail was a meditative garden that was pretty cool. read more

See all

Cool place, but they do not allow dogs here unless they are service animals. Other reviews mentioned that dogs could come here, but that is wrong. We met Don along the way working hard keeping the path nice, he was very welcoming & informative. read more

This was a very nice, pleasant, relaxing place to go to on date day. Modern facilities and a short hike is a perfect way to spend some quiet free time with your loved ones / friends. It's fascinating to think that ancient peoples lived here so long ago. read more

A beautiful Saturday morning...what to do, what to do. Going here is what I'd suggest. One thing - you're either going to absolutely love this place or you're going to hate it. Prepare yourself, this isn't a Las Vegas show - you need to channel your inner geek. A tip, if you have binoculars, bring them. If not, don't worry you can rent them (cheap). Wear comfortable clothes, especially shoes, and you might want to pack some water. You'll also be glad you brought along a camera with zoom capability so you can share this piece of history with your family and friends. The walk isn't very long and is well marked. As you look at the hillside covered in black basalt boulders you'll see symbols (petroglyphs), some of which are over 5,000 years old! If you live in the area and you haven't visited - shame on you! If you're a visitor this is a must see; this is truly an Arizona experience. read more

For $5 a person you get to learn a little of local history. Did you know there is a large petroglyph and pictograph site right here in Phoenix? You walk around with a map and locate various rocks and read about the history of the people who decorated the area with the symbols. It's educational and fascinating. We had the luck of running into the ranger by the name of Desert Little Bear Gonzales who took us on a personal tour since he wasn't doing anything at the moment. He told us more history than the literature offered and even pointed out a large owl sitting in a tree. He shined a mirror at it to catch its attention and told us about the wildlife in the area. It was enchanting listening to his stories. You could tell he really enjoyed what he was doing. I've even thought about having him speak in my class. If you want to learn a little about Arizona, I'd suggest stopping by. It's cheap (the money goes toward preservation of the area, also), and close by and worth at least one visit. read more

I visited the petroglyphs at Deer Valley today; I am sooo impressed! The building is unassuming and looks pretty vacant inside at first glance. But the information in center is really thoughtful, homespun and introspective. It's also fast moving because the staff knows you want to get outside and see those rocks! The outdoor path to the basalt rock mound is wide and clear, though a little scary with all it's "rattlesnake habitat" signs. I'm not gonna lie: the petroglyphs are awesome. There are about 1500 images scattered across the rocky hill, and it seems like they are all facing the same side. It appears that the hill and the the rocks were very important to the people who carved these images and many present day tribes claim symbolism that pertains to their culture is found on the rocks, so maybe it was important for more than one group. My guess is the location was important because it was related to some ancient volcanic activity; that is how basalt is formed. Anyway, totally rad reserve and museum and clearly i'm a huge geek. the end. read more

Ok, so I only really went because the idea of petroglyphs sounded interesting- plus it's dog-friendly and relatively close to where I live. My dog and I spent a good couple hours on the 1/4 mile trail; most of it was spent trying to look for the petroglyphs, going back and forth from the different markers just to see if I could spot any more. My dog had a lot of fun sniffing around and we even spotted a jackrabbit or two. I didn't get to check out the exhibit(s) since I had my dog with me, although the front desk person did allow me to walk through the building with my dog since there were hardly any people about. If you go, try to go when the sun isn't high in the sky- since I did it on a whim, I didn't really think about the logistics. The petroglyphs are all on a rocky hill, and with the sun's glare, even with sunglasses on, it was difficult to spot them- especially since a lot of them were at the top of the hill. If you have binoculars, bring those as well. The experience for me was somewhat underwhelming (probably because I don't care about rocks that much) although since it wasn't at all busy, I felt free to wander back and forth and spend a couple of hours relaxing outside. If you're in the area, an ASU student, and have 30-60 minutes to kill, definitely stop by. Otherwise, $7 for an adult seems pretty steep, especially if you don't do a guided tour (although I think they only do group tours?)- all you're really doing then is looking at a bunch of rocks without the history or context that could bring it to life for you. At $4 for a non-ASU student, that's not too bad either- since I didn't know it was free to me and was totally willing to pay the $4 student price, I still donated because I already had the money with me. read more

I had a couple of hours to kill with my son in the north valley. I decided to grab a cultural pass from the library and stop by this museum. Yes, it is small but it was pretty good. My son enjoyed the petroglyph scavenger hunt available from the front counter. It allowed him to focus on the different images to see if they matched those on his paper. It doesn't take you long to go through the museum. So, if you are able to get a discount (like the free cultural pass from Phoenix Public Libraries), I would definitely consider this. The inside of the museum looks nice with some good, informative displays. Although some of them can be a bit wordy, especially for young kids. I would visit again, but I would go earlier in the day when it is easier to see many of the petroglyphs. read more

I enjoyed my visit here. I don't get to see Petroglyphs and to get to see them in the middle (kinda) of the city is cool. It is a bit expensive to get in, but I think it supports a greater good, so it's worth it. The information center is small and well laid out. It was good for adults and children. The walk out to the Petroglyphs was easy. They images are faded (they are really old) and are easier to see when the sun is not directly on them, which is later in the day. The visit at the museum does not take very long. It is good for kids (and adults) with a short attention spans. They even give a little game for the kids to play (I think it was trying to find the various images) and if they find them all they get a little prize. read more

My personal opinion is it is a 4 star rating, but that is because I am a history buff, and like to talk to museum staff and volunteers. Some people may rate it lower, though. This place was created to preserve the petroglyphs of the Archaic, Payatan, and Hohokam peoples, who were pre-Columbian tribes,. Modern tribes like the Tohono O'odam and Hopi consider them their ancestors. Not much is known what the petroglyphs mean, or why they are there. There is over 1600 along the 1/4 mile trail, but most are hard to see. This museum was constructed starting in the 1980s, when the Adobe Dam was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers. This dam allowed for much of the growth in the Deer Valley, Moon valley, and Arrowhead areas in the NW Valley. Thelda Williams is a long time supporter of this museum, and between her, and the many volunteers, and backing of ASU and its director Dr Richard Toon, it wouldn't exist. The museum's bread and butter are school kids, so there are exhibits and activity stations inside and along the trail geared toward kids. There are special events throughout the year, usually live performances. Inside, the permanent exhibits are pretty spartan, and since it is an ASU museum, there are visiting exhibits that usually stay 1/2 to full semesters, usually set up by students, and staff alike. What makes this museums stand out, however If you are a historian, into archaeology or anthropology, or you are a Native American, I highly recommend this place. If you are a casual visitor of museums, depending on your tastes, you will either love it, or be underwhelmed, in which case, I would say plan a visit during a special activity or event, so that you have additional entertainment. In any event, seek out a docent here. Most of them are retirees who spend hours working at the museum, and most are very knowledgeable about not only the site, but Phoenix and Arizona history. read more

Ekkk not impressed!!! Very small and far! It was clear and educational though I would go here for a field trip! I went for free for this free arts of Arizona event and there was a Native American festival going on so there may have been more excitement than usual. It was just a little too small for me to be called a museum. Bathrooms were outside. Lots of parking and its free and for you avid museum goers they have these free passports you can get stamped and embossed from all the museums fun! read more

For our very first cultural experience on our visit to Arizona we selected to visit the petroglyphs on our way from Phoenix to Sedona. We were there shortly after opening and because of that got to see some cool wildlife; lots of lizards, some small mammals, and a few quail. The petroglyphs are there, but it took a while standing in the heat to see them. And it was really hot, thankfully there were some covered stations where we could get out of the sun. There is a water fountain our on the tour, but was only providing hot water, undrinkable. The museum is well air conditioned and was a nice finish line after walking the tour. It's a really interesting site, would suggest making sure you visit when the lighting is very good and maybe even consider bringing binoculars. read more

4 2 18 @ 1 PM 3711 West Deer Valley Road Phoenix, AZ 85308 Free Saturday at the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve Free Admission - 3rd Saturday of the Month April 21, 2018 9am - 3:45pm We got there and the tour was interesting. The admission price was definitely right but the temps made the visit a little too hot for going too far. Had a hard time finding it as my gps kept saying I have arrived and I was not there. The sign at the fork of the road REALLY NEEDS TO BE BIGGER so you don't miss it and drive around and round on 39th Ave and Deer Valley Road. The people there were very helpful and nice but the gift shop needs LOTS of work. The Tee shirts were cheap but I would not want one for free. The rest of the stuff was very expensive ($10 for a magnet). Evidently the preserve was closed for renovation for 18 months and with the summer coming and the temps going up they are waiting till fall to restock the gift shop. Will return when temps are cooler. read more

Very nice display and information in the Valley museum area. Outside the petroglyphs are difficult to see from the pathway. As was explained in the museum, about the petroglyphs is that they will be difficult to see because of the age of the carvings. This is an interesting preserve and well worth seeing. read more

I've been here about 3 times in the last 4 years. Its a fantastic rock art site, but you really have to be into that sort of thing, like I am, to enjoy it. Why only 3 stars then? I think $7.00 is too much for this place. Its nicely done, the staff in informative, but it should be $3.00 and not any more than that. read more

This place is very cool, but it's best to bring your own binoculars. Some of the rock designs are pretty high up on the hill and there are no telescopes provided. I thought there would caves and such, but it's basically carved rocks along a small hill. Still worth it in my opinion. read more

A wonderful find. Very educational. Wish we had brought our binoculars. Many wonderful Petroglyph. read more

The trail is amazing and I saw a bunch of petroglyphs and amazing desert with its natural wildlife! It was beautiful, definitely a must to see if you are an Arizonian or out of stater!!! read more

My review is based on the tour I received (this place doesn't usually give tours, unless there's a special event going on OR you have a group and you make arrangements 2 weeks in advance). Came here on Saturday and it just happened to be on the same days as the Archaeology Festival! We were able to get a tour with Peter who was an excellent guide. Peter pointed out all the different petroglyphs (which we might have missed otherwise) and tell us all kinds of interesting facts. Peter also pointed out the different flowers and vegetation and explained how they might have been used and how some of the plants used back then could be used now! Because of Peter I learned how to spot blister beetles the next day during my hike (and made sure to avoid them). I think this may have been one of the best, engaging and in-depth tours I've been on through all of my travels! read more

We love this place and try to come every other month or so in cooler weather just to have a morning walk and look for wildlife. It is very affordable to visit and if the low entrance fee bothers you for a short walk in nature, they have every third Saturday free. They have a very small museum & gift shop...the highlight of it all is the wonderful nature walk along the hill. We've come at various times and seasons as the petroglyphs change and can become clearer depending on when you go. We once went after some rain and when the sun was low and the detail was amazing. Lots of wildlife to be seen along the trail, especially so in warmer months...snakes, chuckwallas, different types of squirrels, hummingbirds, dragonflies, butterflies, various lizards, and a great place for bird watching in general It's so nice to have this little place full of nature & history so close to town. read more

I brought a small preschool group here. We went this morning and did a guided tour with one of their docents, Elenor. It was an overall great experience for the kids and parents. First off, I got completely lost following my GPS directions and ended up on the other side of the mountain where they have a locked gate that must be a back entrance. I called the facility to let them know I would be late. Right then my phone died (it was plugged in so I don't know why) and I had to just sit for about 10 minutes and wait for it to turn back on because I had no idea where to begin to get to the right spot. Anyway, I ended up arriving 30 minutes late which is completely embarrassing and extremely late. However, the guide was waiting out front and she was very kind and didn't make me feel horrible for wasting 30 minutes of her time which I really appreciated. The guide took us to a little classroom where she made petroglyphs very kid-relatable. She really did a lot of scaffolding to help prepare them to be excited and interested when they went outside to find the real ones. They got to do a hands-on activity and make their own petroglyphs on clay stones. She walked them around the small museum and explained everything really well. Then we headed outside and checked out the real deal. She was pretty strict about rules with the kids. For example, my daughter was hopping on the rocks that mark the path on the side and she had her get off of them. The kids were really responsive to her directions and expectations so it worked out fine. If you have kids that need a lot of free exploration and room to run that might make the tour tricky and not the best fit and I would do a self-guided walk through. However, the kids still got to do lots of exploring just very directed. I liked that we were able to bring in snacks and eat while we walked along the path. That helped a lot for the kids and helped them keep going. I also liked they had spots to stop and sit on benches to break the walk up for their little bodies. There was enough stopping, learning about, and exploring throughout the walk that kept the kids engaged and enjoying it. The tour was the perfect amount of time for their attention spans. I will say we were studying this in our preschool class before we came so the kids had interest in the subject matter prior to going and were invested in finding real petroglyphs. Just going without teaching them about it might not spark their interest as much. I saw some reviews that said it was boring or what not. I think like anything, you don't just show up and expect mother nature to entertain you. If you have taken time to learn about it and it is something you want to go find and see then it is very interesting. If you haven't prepped at all and outdoor stuff is not your thing you probably won't be satisfied with the experience. read more

Closed even though Yelp states it is open. Entrance gate locked. - sign at the entrance says it is currently closed for the fall. Website says it will re-open in January 2017. Four stars for looking promising from base of Preserve.. Well return next trip to Phoenix. read more

This place is fucking boring, the trail is short and dull, I could have walked around in my backyard and could have had a better time.