Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site (V-Bar-V)
The largest known petroglyph panel in the Verde Valley — 1,032 individual petroglyphs across 13 panels, on a single rock face. If you only visit one rock-art site near Sedona, the density here makes a strong case.
It's open Friday to Monday only, which catches people out more than any other detail. Hours also flip seasonally: 9:30am–3pm October to May, but 8am–noon June to September, with the gate closing 30 minutes before.
$5 per vehicle, walk-up with a self-serve machine, no reservation. Officially renamed the Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site, though almost everyone still calls it V-Bar-V.
The facts
- Open right now?
- Open (not in the fire closure order)
- Cost
- $5/vehicle daily, $15/week, $20/year — self-serve machine on site
- Hours
- Fri–Mon only. Oct–May 9:30am–3pm (gate closes 2:30pm). Jun–Sep 8am–noon (gate closes 11:30am).
- Pass required
- Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful
- Reservations
- Not required — walk up
Getting there
The four-day week
This is the single most important practical fact: Crane Petroglyph is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only. Turning up on a Wednesday means a wasted drive, and it's far enough from Sedona that this stings.
The seasonal hours shift is nearly as easy to get wrong. October to May: 9:30am to 3pm, gate closing at 2:30pm. June to September: 8am to noon, gate closing at 11:30am — a much earlier finish, for heat. Note that the gate closes half an hour before the site does, so arriving at 2:45pm in winter is too late.
Like Honanki, it closes when temperatures exceed 100°F, and on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Unlike the other two sites, the access here isn't flagged as unusually rough.
Why the density matters
Most rock art you'll encounter is scattered — a few figures here, a panel there. Crane is different: over a thousand petroglyphs concentrated on one accessible rock face, which makes the relationships between images legible in a way isolated panels never are.
The imagery is attributed largely to the Southern Sinagua, and includes anthropomorphic figures, animals, and abstract forms. Some elements have been interpreted as tracking solar events — read the on-site interpretation and make your own judgement about how firm those readings are.
Site hosts are often present and are usually the best part of the visit. As ever: don't touch the panel.
Frequently asked questions
What days is V-Bar-V open?
Friday through Monday only. It's closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, plus Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Is V-Bar-V the same as Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site?
Yes — the site was officially renamed the Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site, but the older V-Bar-V name is still in common use.
How much does it cost?
$5 per vehicle for a day, $15 a week, or $20 a year, payable at a self-serve machine. A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass also covers it.
How many petroglyphs are there?
1,032 individual petroglyphs across 13 panels — the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley.
Do I need a reservation?
No. It's walk-up. Only Palatki requires a reservation.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.