Ancient rock art sites are hiding all over Arizona, but this one is among the least-known (and most well-preserved) of all. Deep within the vast desert landscape of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, you'll find the Maze Rock Art Site and the Maze Trail, a 1.4-mile hike that leads to a sandstone slab riddled with ancient petroglyphs. Created by the Ancestral Puebloan people up to 700 years ago, one of these pictures resembles a labyrinth whose twists and turns would render it impossible to escape from. Nobody knows for sure what the mysterious drawing is supposed to represent, but it sure is fascinating to behold.
Tucked away in the remote, uncharted landscape of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, the Maze Rock Art Site offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich Native American history of the area.
Most people don't even know the site exists and stumble upon it accidentally en route to another nearby hike like Paw Hole or Buckskin Gulch to Wire Pass.
At just 1.4 miles round-trip, the out-and-back trail is short enough to fit into an already stacked itinerary.
The hike is rated as moderate on AllTrails, starting off relatively flat before embarking on a gradual ascent.
Wide-open desert transforms into rocky canyonlands before your eyes - a remarkable feat considering the entire hike can be done and dusted in just about a half-hour.
An elevation gain of just over 200 feet means that instead of using all your energy to climb, you can just focus on admiring the rapidly changing terrain.
Upon reaching the top, you'll realize how far away from civilization you truly are.
It's so quiet, you could hear a pin drop, and the undulating peaks of the Coyote Buttes North extend far as the eye can see into the distance - and the main attraction is yet to come!
The trail's namesake is a giant slab of rock riddled with some of the most well-preserved petroglyphs in Arizona.
It's impossible to miss, so just stay on the path and trust you're headed in the right direction.
If you look in the top left-hand corner, you'll see one particular marking that stands out from all the rest.
The small picture is the work of the Ancestral Puebloan people, and it's thought to have originated sometime between 850 and 1300 A.D.
Either before or after your hike, stop by the informational kiosk to learn more about the history of the area.
You'll undoubtedly leave with a greater appreciation for our state and the people who once inhabited it.
Take a look at the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument Rock Art Site in this video from That Adventure Life:
For up-to-date information about the Maze Rock Art Site, or any trail near you, try out AllTrails Plus.
Have you ever hiked to this unique maze petroglyph site in Vermillion Cliffs? If so, tell us all about your adventure in the comments section! Don't forget to check out our previous article for another place in Arizona where you can see ancient rock art.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/arizona/rock-art-ranch-az/
Coal Mine Canyon is another fascinating place to hike in Arizona. Check out some incredible footage in this video:
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