Petroglyph Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There are no fees required to hike in Honey Bee Canyon. There is restroom access 100 feet east of the trailhead.

From parking, take the ramp down to the canyon floor. Keep taking rights (2-3). You want to pass beneath the roadway and start your hike up Sausalito Wash Trail heading away from the roadway. This was not clear on All Trails which mentioned a Petroglyphs Loop Trail and had us very unsure until we asked other hikers. I think the trail we want is actually called North Trail.

The trail is flat with unnoticeable upward grade. It is sandy which slows the pace. When you get about 0.25 miles in, the roadway noise will be gone. The hike is beautiful up the wash/canyon, bordered with rock outcroppings and majestic saguaro cacti. At about 0.75 miles, there will be a couple landmarks that let you know you are approaching the petroglyphs. The first is a manmade wall across the wash that has been breached in the middle. I assume this was to retain water for horses or livestock in days gone by.

A little further is the second landmark, a rectangular concrete cistern right in the middle of the trail. It has a small rusted old hand pump with a broken handle. Shortly after this, the petroglyphs are about 10 feet above the wash floor on the left side. The rock face is blackened. It is really easy to miss; we did on our first pass. If you happen to miss it, you'll come to second wall across the wash.

Reverse direction and begin to look on the right as you retrace your steps. Just after leaving the petroglyphs to head back, pick your head up and look down the wash as you walk back. There is a stunning view of the wash canyon surrounded by saguaro on both sides with the Catalinas as the backdrop. I'll be going back with a good camera for that shot and hopefully it will be on one of our walls. I'm older, not in great shape and slow, took just under two hours with plenty of stops. Great for kids. Enjoy!

You might encounter palo verde trees, shrubs, cacti, wildflowers, and more! You might also encounter birds, snakes, desert cottontails, and more!