The Honey Bee Canyon Petroglyph

Last year, the Oro Valley Historical Society (OVHS) installed “A Place in Time” historical timeline of the greater Oro Valley area at the Pusch House Museum.  One of the photos depicts “The Petroglyph” in Honey Bee Canyon.  Our docents are often asked how to find it.  This past weekend, this intrepid editor and husband trekked out to the canyon to document specific directions.

Honey Bee Canyon is located at 13880 N. Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, Oro Valley.  There is a parking lot and access to the canyon on the east side of Rancho Vistoso Blvd.  Due to the boulevard, you can only access the lot by driving in a northeasterly direction.

Once you park, walk toward the (right) sidewalk access to the park.  It is closest to the car entrance of the parking lot.  You will walk down a ramp with a railing.  There will be a direction sign and you should turn right (away from the restrooms) and start walking. NOTE:  The petroglyph is NOT on the trail loop!   You will see the Rancho Vistoso overpass on your right and you should head in that direction.  You will pass a posted sign. Continue to walk in the wash under the overpass.  Keep walking through the wash for about a mile.  It is sandy but flat, so it is not a challenging walk.   You will NOT have to do any rock climbing (phew)!  You will pass what many refer to as “the dam” (a man-made rock stack with an opening. THE PETROGLYPH is on the left, just past “the dam”.  You will not likely see the figures as you approach it due to its orientation.  The petroglyph is eye level and literally on the wash path. The petroglyph is a large stone balancing on another large stone on the left.  I left a small rock cairn in front of it that will likely last a day!  If you get to the trough and the “new dam” you have gone too far!  Happy trekking!

If you are a history lover and/or love your community, we ask that you help OVHS continue its mission: to promote research, preservation, education and dissemination of history related to the Greater Oro Valley area. For the first time, OVHS is participating in Arizona Gives.  We hope that you will support our “all volunteer” effort and give a donation by going to https://www.azgives.org

Click on “Find Organization” top right of the front page and type in Oro Valley Historical Society.   

You will receive an electronic tax receipt (appearing as Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits) via the email address you provide. The Society will send an acknowledgement unless you have chosen to remain fully anonymous. Electronic tax receipts have been approved by the Arizona Department of Revenue and can be used for Arizona state tax credit purposes. 

Thanks for your support to Keep Oro Valley History Alive!