Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve
The Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve is an archaeological site and a nature preserve open to the public year-round, located in northeast Flagstaff, Arizona. The preserve is used for educating the community about ecology, geology and archaeology along with general outdoor recreation. History Picture Canyon was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 10, 2008.  The 478-acre preserve was purchased October 30, 2012 at a public auction on the steps of Coconino County Courthouse from the State Land Department by the City of Flagstaff for $4.8 million  after several community groups rehabilitated the area and rallied decades for its protection.  An agreement was made with the Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant, located immediately south of the preserve, to provide a constant water source for the riparian habitat and wildlife.  Reclaimed water is discharged into a pond which feeds the Rio de Flag through a rugged geological canyon composed of basalt rock.  Thousands of years ago, between 700 and 1300 AD, this area was home to the natives known as the Northern Sinagua (people without water). Picture Canyon is named for the large density of petroglyphs created by  the Sinagua located along the river.  Hundreds of panels were created depicting archers, geometric shapes, and local animals like birds and turtles. Trails and Natural Features There are three trails within the preserve: "type": "FeatureCollection", </mapframe>