For over 85 years, the Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains in Yarnell, Arizona has served as a beacon of spiritual tranquility for people of all faiths. Nestled in the Weavers Mountains north of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area, our rustic path invites you to walk with Jesus through His final days, from the Last Supper to the inspiring Risen Savior sculpture within the Resurrection Garden.
Find Quiet Reflection and Peace: Cool Summer at the Shrine
A 4,750-foot journey of shared spiritual grounding
The pathways of the Shrine in Yarnell offer a timeless space to pause, breathe, and reflect. Nestled within the vibrant high-desert flora of Arizona’s central mountains, the Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains serves as a non-denominational sanctuary open to people of all faiths, backgrounds, and walks of life.
Our rustic, “rock-scramble” path is more than a physical hike. This natural staircase is a living, universal metaphor for the journeys, challenges, and ascents we all navigate in our daily lives. As you walk this outdoor path, you are invited to step away from the noise of the modern world, find a quiet sanctuary for personal prayer, and enjoy the consoling company of fellow seeks communing with God within this idyllic setting.
For over 85 years, this “Church without walls” has stood as a multi-generational anchor for families seeking spiritual grounding, community of fellow pilgrims, reflecting quiet resilience, and the blessing of a physical reminder that light and hope always emerge from the desert. Whether you are continuing a lifelong family tradition or discovering these holy mountain pathways for the first time, there is a place for you here.
A Promise Forged in War, Tested in Fire
Strength in the sand, resilience in the ashes of Yarnell
The very stones of the Shrine’s path were born on a promise. In 1939, a group of volunteers from Catholic Action built this sanctuary as a physical response to a realized prayer. While these volunteers cleared a path through wild scrub oak, carefully placing each granite stone, handrail, and station, they sought an artist’s touch to bring the narrative of the mountain to life.
They hired Felix Lucero, a self-taught artist and WWI veteran to fulfill a profound battlefield vow. Using humble sand pulled from the Walnut Creek and simple cement, Lucero transformed the Yarnell landscape into a sacred gallery. His life-sized statues of St. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were designed with a singular purpose: to make the final days of Christ’s life tangible for every soul who wanders these mountain pathways.
In June 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire tested the resilience of the Shrine and people of Yarnell. The inferno claimed the lives of nineteen heroic firefighters, countless homes, and buildings, razing the landscape in and around the Shrine. Yet, the statue of the crucified Christ and the way of the cross remained. Witnesses described how the cross holding Christ burned away, to the point that they described the Crucified Christ to be “floating in the air” while the fire whipped around the Shrine for three days.
The resilience of Lucero’s work and the original volunteers’ prayers was test during that moment. As a profound visible experience of surviving a 3,000-degree fire, the Shrine’s endurance gave the community the hope it needed to rebuild from the ashes.
Preparing for your summer visit
Visitor Safety & Quick Info
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk
Admission: Always free. The Shrine is maintained solely by your tax-deduction donations and volunteers.
Directions: Plan your trip to the Shrine using Google Maps
Parking: Please park only in designated spots within the Shrine area.
Roadside Parking: Permitted only if vehicles are fully off the road and not blocking any roadside entrances. It is essential emergency vehicles and neighbors are able to drive unimpeded; otherwise, vehicles may be fined and/or towed by the town of Yarnell.
Overflow Parking: Flora Mae Park offers additional overflow parking.
Elevation: 4,700 feet. The air is crisp, thin, and usually cooler than the desert valley.
Essentials: Although cooler, please dress according to the weather and bring water, sunscreen and a hat. Please move at your own pace.
Footwear: The natural-rock path includes some step sections so please wear sturdy, close-toe shoes to keep you stable and safe.
No Pets: The Shrine is a pet-free zone. No animals, other than certified service animals are allowed.
Fire Safety: The whole Shrine area is strictly a no fire, no smoking, or burning candles zone.
We all play an essential role in protecting the Shrine and the Yarnell community from accidental fires to ensure this sanctuary and the surrounding community remain strong for years to come.
Donations & Volunteerism
Join our mission to restore, rebuild, and expand the Shrine’s sanctuary for a new generation.
Since the pandemic, the Shrine has seen a powerful resurgence of visitors seeking peace and spiritual grounding. To meet this need, the Board is moving forward with critical infrastructure projects to improve our facilities and expand our welcome.
Our primary goal is to expand our public bathroom capacity to comfortably serve day-visitors and traveling groups.
Equally important, expanding space to handle seasonal traffic spikes safely is essential.
Next to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and the Garden of the Resurrection, the Shrine intends on establishing a beautifully graded, fully accessible Stations of the Cross. This would ensure that the spiritual journey of the Shrine can be enjoyed by all, regardless of mobility challenges or physical limitations.
Lastly, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit needs to be restored and finished to provide a weather-sealed, 60-person ecumenical sanctuary for quiet contemplation, prayer and small gathering services.
How You Can Help
The Shrine started, and continues into the future, through the commitment of volunteers. From the first stones set in 1939 to the modern restoration of the mountain path and facilities, this sanctuary belongs to the hands that tend it.
Whether through financial support or by offering your unique skills, you are a vital part of this commitment. We are currently seeking skilled carpenters, electricians, path maintenance helpers, and painters.
Give via Zelle
Donations are essential to the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the Shrine’s 14 Stations, Chapel, rock paths, and future expansion of its bathroom, parking, and accessible stations by the public Chapel. You can make a secure, direct donation to the Shrine using Zelle. Please scan the code below to contribute to the Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains.
