Winter Hike to Anasazi Petroglyph Site

Southern Utah hosts a wealth of history, but none is more ancient than that of the petroglyphs created by the Virgin River Anasazi. The Anasazi inhabited southern Utah from approximately 200 B.C until their abrupt departure around 1200 A.D. Although the reason for their departure is unknown, they did leave behind numerous petroglyphs visible throughout the bluffs of Ivins, Utah.

There are three ways to view the petroglyphs along the Santa Clara River: The Tukpesti Trailhead, the Tava’atsi trail, and the Anasazi trailhead.

• The Tukpesti trailhead begins just after the Jacob Hamblin home; it provides access to the Tempi’po’op Trail, (pronounced tumpee poo oop) which means “rock writing” in Southern Paiute. You will hike along this trail until mile 2.3 where you will find petroglyphs.

• The Tava’atsi trail (pronounced ta-vats) Southern Paiute for “two-striped chipmunk”, is a .5 mile trail with the most direct route to view a large grouping of petroglyphs on the rocky cliffs above the Santa Clara River.

• The Anasazi trail is a 1.2 mile aggregate trail that, in addition to petroglyphs, provides access to the Ancestral Puebloan Farmstead.

I love a good adventure, but when I have to carry kids on a hike, I sort of want it to be short and sweet. So my family and I always hike the Tava’atsi trail because 1) it is a short hike with a huge reward and 2) my toddler can do it without throwing a huge tantrum on the trail! We have done this hike multiple times, and we always try to go further on the trail, but we get so wrapped up in crawling around the rocks to see the art that we run out of daylight. Someday we’ll see that Ancestral Farmstead; until then this trail is a delight for people of all ages year round—especially if you want a quick trip to see some amazing ancient artwork.

The Tava’atsi trail is an old road so it is wide and, for the most part, groomed. The trail begins on a slight incline toward a fork in the trail. Keep right and continue up a steeper hill. When you reach the top, turn right again. Follow the trail down a steep hill toward the cliff’s edge. This trail can be classified as easy; however, viewing the petroglyphs is a bit more challenging. To protect the petroglyphs they remain unmarked, but most are located on the rocky groupings on the cliff’s edge. In order to view the petroglyphs you will have to be adventurous and climb down the rocks. There is no need for rope or carabineers; leave the climbing gear at home. It does require some minor rambling down some rocks, but nothing major.( I’ve done it with a baby strapped to the front of me.) Once you’ve traversed the rocks down to the cliff’s edge, follow the makeshift trails through the shrubbery to view the wall art.

Images of sheep, people, and geometric shapes cover various boulders. My friend swears that one of the drawings is a depiction of an alien. Who knows, maybe some Anasazi kids liked to use their imaginations? To me it doesn’t really matter what they are, but what does matter is that after so many years, they are still visible. The petroglyphs are exposed to the elements and still they survive. With this trail, we have the unique opportunity to view ancient art in its natural element. It is like an outdoor museum. The only difference is there is no one there to tell you to step back.

The petroglyphs are better protected now than in the past, but the barrier between guests and the rock art is slim. Some of these amazing drawing have been damaged by motorized vehicles and vandalism. While visiting, please do your part to protect this precious history, don’t touch the art, and please make sure your children understand the importance of this trail. The petroglyphs have been around for a long time, but we want to preserve this history so that people can view it for years to come.

Directions: From St. George, travel north on Bluff Street. Turn left on Sunset Blvd. Continue on Sunset Blvd as it turns into Santa Clara Drive. Continue approximately 1.7 miles past the Jacob Hamblin Home on W. Old Hwy 91 and turn left onto an unmarked paved road. (You will pass the Biggest Loser Resort and an auto repair shop on your left. After the auto repair shop, make the next left turn.) The paved road turns to dirt, bear right at the fork in the road. Follow the dirt road to a barbed wire fence and trail marker for the Tava’atsi Trailhead.

Link to map:Go see the trails.