Overview

The Anasazi native tribe inhabited the area in southern Utah from 200 B.C. onwards, leaving very little evidence of the reason for their departure around 1250 A.D. However, they did leave thousands of rock drawings, often called petroglyphs, that have survived to this day. 

The trail to see the petroglyphs follows the edge of the Santa Clara Creek, looking over the nearby mountains of the area. Keep an eye out for the petroglyphs, because they are not marked. However, the Ancestral Puebloan Farmstead is interpreted for visitors at the end of the 1.2 mile trail.

Location / Directions

The general location is not widely known, which means that it takes a little work to find these marvelous drawings. It's not far, however, and sometimes just getting there is the best part of a trip!

The Anasazi Valley Trailhead, where the Tempi’po’op Trail starts to see the petroglyphs, is on W. Old Hwy 91. Heading northwest from Ivins, take the first left after passing W 400 S in Ivins. The entrance is marked by large sandstone blocks.

The trail can be followed 3.5 miles to the Tukupetsi Trailhead in the Santa Clara River Reserve Trail System.

Ivins is located northwest of St. George by following N. Bluff St. to W. Sunset Blvd, which eventually turns into W. Old Hwy 91.

Hours / Seasons

The trail is open year round, but be careful heading out in summertime, or during the heat of the day. Always bring plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen.

More Info

Because of the government's lack of protection, some of the drawings have been damaged by motorized vehicles or vandalized. The ones that remain, however, are more protected than they were, but the barrier is slim.

Off-road vehicles formerly used the area before it was officially protected, scarring some of the sites. There is now a sign prohibiting their use.