A guide to the Picture Rocks Petroglyphs

Coming Face-to-Face with History: Exploring Picture Rocks Petroglyphs

See history up close with hundreds of petroglyphs from the Hohokam era and before, carved into the rocks located just off Picture Rocks Road at the base of the Tucson Mountains in Marana.


Where can I see them?
Significance & History
What else can you experience?
Best times to visit
Looking to take a tour during your next visit to Marana?

Where can I see them?

The Picture Rocks Petroglyphs site is located on the grounds of the Redemptorist Renewal Center, a Catholic retreat site.

The site is open to the public, but the center asks that all visitors check-in at the main office or call before visiting (520) 744-3400.

7101 W Picture Rocks Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743

Significance & History

The historic rock art is believed to have been created between A.D. 750 and 1350. Depicting anthropomorphs and animals, the glyphs have a variety of designs, such as spiral-like formations. Historians believe those spirals were used as a sort of calendar during the Hohokam era, because they interact with the sunlight.

During each fall equinox and summer solstice, the light interacts with the glyph to form a “light dagger” through the center of the spiral.


What else can you experience?

  • A modern-day labyrinth that has a 55-foot diameter, made with rocks that follow a circular pattern.

  • A 218-year-old bell that was dedicated to the Our Lady of Guadalupe and once hung outside the adobe Chapel of the Presidio Real de San Agustin Del Tucson during the colonial period in 1807.

  • Masses at Our Lady of The Desert Church, Monday-Friday at 7:30 AM, Saturdays at 4 PM, Sundays at 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM

  • Stations of the Cross by St. Alphonsus Liguori during the season of Lent at 11:30 AM on Fridays in the chapel.

  • A multitude of year-round retreats & renewal programs.
  • Saguaro National Park West is just a short drive from the Redemptorist Renewal Center and has the highest concentration of saguaro cacti in the world.

Best times to visit

The petroglyphs are best viewed before noon, when shadows shade the rocks and put the petroglyphs in higher contrast.

This is a delicate and historically significant site. Please respect the environment of the center by refraining from climbing on the rocks or touching the petroglyphs.

Looking to take a tour during your next visit to Marana?

Experience the Picture Rocks site and other Hohokam-era locations with an experienced and knowledgeable archaeologist.

The Old Pueblo Archaeology Center offers guided tours every Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox.

Call, email or check them out online to book your tour today! 520-798-1201 or info@oldpueblo.org.

Brandon Mejia

Author

Brandon Mejia

Tourism Marketing Specialist

Brandon is a product of the Marana Unified School District and proud Arizona Alumni. His multi-faceted background includes radio and television news, social media distribution, public affairs and communications. He loves spending time outdoors playing in his slow-pitch softball leagues, golfing at Quarry Pines, and being an avid cross-fitter at his local gym, CrossFit Onward.
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