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.

Significance & History
Location & Directions
Plan Your Visit
Experiences
Guided Tours
FAQs
Nearby Activities

Significance & History

The historic rock art is believed to have been created by the Hohokam Indian culture 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.

A 2006 reconnaissance survey of the petroglyphs, conducted by archaeologist Allen Dart, Executive Director of Tucson's nonprofit Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, found an estimated 800 to 1,000 individual glyphs scattered across the hill.

Learn more about Hohokam Heritage and Culture.

Visit Picture Rocks Petroglyphs

Address & Directions

The Picture Rocks Petroglyphs site is on the grounds of the Redemptorist Renewal Center, a Catholic retreat site, located at 7101 W Picture Rocks Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743.

From Marana, take I-10 E to exit 248 toward Ina Road. Drive west 2.5 miles, then turn left onto Wade Road. Follow Wade Rd. to the Redemptorist Renewal Center.

Parking

Follow the paved driveway past the building complex and park where the lower driveways turns north past the buildings.

Admission & Check In

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

Plan Your Visit

Best Times to Visit

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

Visitor Rules & Etiquette

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.

Site Accessibility

The trail to the petroglyphs is short and easy, taking only a few minutes to reach. Keep and eye out for rattlesnakes along the trail. Children are welcome, but please leave dogs at home.

Experiences

The Picture Rock Petroglyphs are just one of the many experiences you can enjoy during your visit to the Redemptorist Renewal Center.

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

  • Historic Bell - 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.

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

  • Retreats & Renewal Programs - Redemptorist Renewal Center hosts numerous retreats and renewal programs throughout the year. Check their official website for upcoming events.
  • Saguaro National Park West - Just a short drive from the Redemptorist Renewal Center, this National Park has the highest concentration of saguaro cacti in the world.

Solstice & Equinox Tours

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

Old Pueblo Archaeology Center Tours

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old are the Picture Rocks Petroglyphs?

The Picture Rocks Petroglyphs near Marana, Arizona are roughly 700 to 1,250 years old, created primarily between A.D. 750 and 1350 during the Hohokam era.

How long does it take to visit Picture Rocks Petroglyphs?

Visits can range from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on your pace. The trail is a short walk from the parking area, but with hundreds of petroglyphs to see and peaceful grounds to enjoy, many visitors find themselves staying longer than planned.

Can you touch the petroglyphs?

No. Touching the Picture Rock Petroglyphs, even briefly, transfers oils from your skin onto the rock, which can darken the petroglyphs over time and eventually make them impossible to see.

When does the light dagger appear to Picture Rocks?

The light dagger appears three times a year, at the summer solstice, and at both the spring and fall equinoxes.

On the summer solstice, the effect begins around 11:40 a.m. (MST), while the west-facing glyph is still shaded. As sunlight crests the hill's west face, a small triangular patch of light appears on the spiral's outer coil. That triangle grows into a "light dagger," tracing counter-clockwise along the coil until it settles over the spiral's center around noon.

On the spring and fall equinoxes, the effect begins in the late morning, opening diagonally across the spiral and pointing in toward its center around midday.

Can you climb on the rocks at Picture Rocks Petroglyphs?

No. Climbing on the rocks risks damaging the petroglyphs, so visitors are asked to view them from the trail only.

Nearby Sites & Things to Do

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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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