You never know what fascinating secret places are hiding in the Grand Canyon State – until you look! Hidden in the rocky hills around Yarnell is an inspirational little park that you’ll want to visit the very next time you’re passing through.

Driving through this tiny community is a picturesque journey through a giant boulder field.

Google Maps [streetview]

Google Maps/Steve Stewart Nearby, the boulder-rich hills aren’t very good for building, but they do hide a secret park that’s become a regular pilgrimage for those who’ve discovered the magic within. Take a look at this hidden gem and discover the magic for yourself.

The park was built as a shrine in the 1930s and continues to amaze those with devotion as well as curiosity seekers, and art and history enthusiasts.

TripAdvisor/kratzy

TripAdvisor/Bill85210 The story of this shrine park dates back to the Depression era and includes one local family who inspired others with their vision for a shrine in the hills. They heard about an artist in Tucson that was living in a tent under a bridge (some accounts say he was also a dishwasher, and still more say he was in Phoenix and not Tucson). They brought him to Yarnell where he sculpted the first statue, St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers, out of a concrete block.

From there, the shrine grew to include more statues depicting the final days of Jesus before The Crucifixion.

Google Maps/Kathy Wallace

Google Maps/Photo Adventures Today the park includes a solid walkway with handrails that guide visitors up the hill and past the statues and the Stations of the Cross. In all, the pathway is about a quarter mile long.

A tomb was constructed out of an existing cave; its entrance often filled with offerings from folks who make the pilgrimage.

TripAdvisor/Bill85210

TripAdvisor/kratzy Inside the tomb lays a statue of Jesus on a bed of rocks.

At the top of the path is a statue of Jesus on the Cross.

TripAdvisor/Esty666 In 2013, during the Great Hill Fire of Yarnell (one of the deadliest fires in Arizona history), the statues in this shrine all miraculously survived. Reportedly, the top of the Cross of The Crucifixion was completely gone, burned by the fire, and had to be replaced. After the fire, and when all was said and done, Jesus was discovered with arms outstretched and pinned to air. A new cross was commissioned soon after.

The Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains is located on Shrine Road in Yarnell. (Yarnell is located on AZ-89A, 33 miles southwest of Prescott and 31 miles north of Wickenburg.) The cost to enter this unique park is free, however, donations are appreciated and accepted. Have you made the pilgrimage up to this rocky shrine to see these remarkable statues? We’d love to know – and to see your photos!

Google Maps [streetview]

Google Maps/Steve Stewart

Nearby, the boulder-rich hills aren’t very good for building, but they do hide a secret park that’s become a regular pilgrimage for those who’ve discovered the magic within. Take a look at this hidden gem and discover the magic for yourself.

TripAdvisor/kratzy

TripAdvisor/Bill85210

The story of this shrine park dates back to the Depression era and includes one local family who inspired others with their vision for a shrine in the hills. They heard about an artist in Tucson that was living in a tent under a bridge (some accounts say he was also a dishwasher, and still more say he was in Phoenix and not Tucson). They brought him to Yarnell where he sculpted the first statue, St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers, out of a concrete block.

Google Maps/Kathy Wallace

Google Maps/Photo Adventures

Today the park includes a solid walkway with handrails that guide visitors up the hill and past the statues and the Stations of the Cross. In all, the pathway is about a quarter mile long.

Inside the tomb lays a statue of Jesus on a bed of rocks.

TripAdvisor/Esty666

In 2013, during the Great Hill Fire of Yarnell (one of the deadliest fires in Arizona history), the statues in this shrine all miraculously survived. Reportedly, the top of the Cross of The Crucifixion was completely gone, burned by the fire, and had to be replaced. After the fire, and when all was said and done, Jesus was discovered with arms outstretched and pinned to air. A new cross was commissioned soon after.

 

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