Keyhole Sink, Canyon with petroglyphs in Williams, Arizona.
Keyhole Sink is a canyon in Williams, Arizona, where dark volcanic basalt walls contain ancient rock carvings left by the Cohonina people. The narrow gorge takes its name from its distinctive keyhole-shaped opening and fills with seasonal waterfalls that flow through the rocky passage.
Between 700 and 1100 CE, the Cohonina people carved depictions of snakes, lizards, and deer into the dark volcanic rock of this canyon. These petroglyphs record the artistic traditions and hunting practices that defined their long presence in this landscape.
Native Americans used this canyon as a sacred hunting ground where ritual initiations took place and natural rock formations helped with capturing game. The site held deep spiritual meaning for the communities who called these lands home.
Visitors can reach this canyon via a one-mile trail from the Oak Hill Snow Play parking area, located across from the trailhead on Route 66. The path is most accessible during drier months, and hikers should watch for slippery rock surfaces, especially after rainfall.
The petroglyphs were damaged in 2010 when vandals used aluminum roofing cement to deface them, but the site was later restored. Visitors can still observe the differences between original carvings and the areas that were repaired.
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