Photo Courtesy of AZ Central

Located in Cave Creek is the World’s Tallest Kachina sits proudly in the open desert. Just north of Phoenix on Cave Creek Road, and on through Carefree, continue east for about five miles on Cave Creek Road, located at the entrance to the Tonto Creek subdivision sits the 39-foot statue.

Kachina Dolls (or Katsina) are a unique Hopi invention. Kachinas are made by Hopi craftsmen who’ve honed their skills over several years. The masked religious icons are carved from cottonwood root, and they were used to teach children of the tribe about the spirit world.

Photo Courtesy of City of Carefree
Photo taken by Thomas Baker, 2013

The famous carefree sundial was designed in 1959 by Architect Joe Wong and solar engineer John I Yellott.  To create a huge sundial at a time when sundials were outdated was a very bold move of Wong and Yellott. To many, this move serves as a reminder of how important time and our created perception of  it has always been and always will be.

The sundial, which points to the North Star, is made from a steel frame and covered in anodized copper. It measures 90 feet in diameter. The metal gnomon, the shadow-casting portion of the dial, stands 35 feet above the plaza and extends about 72 feet.

The sundial also acts as the starting point for the self-guided walking tour of the Carefree Desert Gardens (CDG), if you’re up for an added adventure.

The sun’s shadow has made its way around the Carefree sundial many times since its initial creation in 1959, and will continue to do so for many years to come. Venture out this summer to the sundial so you can be a part of one of the sun’s daily rotations.