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All the United States Arizona Williams Keyhole Sink

Keyhole Sink

A small canyon with petroglyphs and a seasonal waterfall, only a short hike from the remnants of old Route 66.

Williams, Arizona

Added By
Brett Iredell
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Keyhole Sink.   Wikimedia/LittlefieldEmery
Keyhole Sink.   Wikimedia/LittlefieldEmery
Waterfall at Keyhole Sink.   Wikimedia/Kaibab National Forest
Petroglyphs at the site.   WhiskeyBristles / Atlas Obscura User
Keyhole Sink.   WhiskeyBristles / Atlas Obscura User
Not much water in beginning of May   janettek / Atlas Obscura User
Informational sign at Keyhole Sink.   WhiskeyBristles / Atlas Obscura User
Petroglyphs were amazing!   janettek / Atlas Obscura User
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About

For centuries, the canyon and pool now known as Keyhole Sink was a place where the Cohonina people hunted and conducted religious ceremonies. Petroglyphs at the site dating to around 1,000 years ago indicate that hunters used the natural dead-end to corner prey that gathered at the watering hole. Curiously, despite the area being a rare source of fresh water in the arid region, archaeological evidence doesn't indicate that people settled permanently at the site.

The images marked onto the volcanic basalt rock mostly show animals that were probably encountered at the watering hole—deer, snakes, frogs, and lizards. One image depicts a herd of deer entering the canyon. These pictures were made by the Cohonina, who lived in the area from around 700 to 1100. Anthropologists believe that the Cohonina are the ancestors of today's Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes, among others.

In 2010 the petroglyphs were heavily damaged by vandals who drew on the wall of the canyon with aluminum roofing cement. The vandalism made national news and an expert from Atlanta, Georgia, was recruited to help restore the site. They were able to remove almost all evidence of the vandalism from the petroglyph panels, and today hidden cameras monitor the site.

Related Tags

Waterfalls Native Americans Archaeology Petroglyphs Water

Know Before You Go

The trailhead is on the shoulder of the historic Route 66, a few miles west of Parks, Arizona. Parking for the trailhead is on the other side of the highway, in the Oak Hill Snow Play area. The trail is easy, and goes about a mile from the highway. 

Community Contributors

Added By

WhiskeyBristles

Edited By

janettek

  • janettek

Published

June 12, 2020

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyhole_Sink
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/kaibab/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=11678&actid=50
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd683243.pdf
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd737628.pdf
Keyhole Sink
8369 E Old Rte 66
Williams, Arizona, 86046
United States
35.27, -112.014444
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Poozeum

Williams, Arizona

miles away

Sultana Bar

Williams, Arizona

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Williams, Arizona

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Williams

Williams

Arizona

Places 5

Nearby Places

Poozeum

Williams, Arizona

miles away

Sultana Bar

Williams, Arizona

miles away

Laws Spring

Williams, Arizona

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Williams

Williams

Arizona

Places 5

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