Entry No. 22 — the Phoenix file — filed under: giant-sculpture

Carefree Sundial

A 62-foot copper-clad sundial with a 35-foot gnomon aimed at the North Star anchors the tiny desert town's Desert Gardens — built in 1959 by solar engineer John I. Yellott and architect Joe Wong, and long touted (and disputed) as one of the largest functioning sundials on Earth.

The move: Time your visit near solar noon, stand in the gnomon's shadow to check whether it actually tells correct time, then wander the free surrounding cactus gardens along walkable Easy Street before lunch in downtown Carefree.

📍 Carefree Desert Gardens, Carefree
💸 Free
⚡ Up for anything
🌗 Outdoors

Where: Sundial Circle, Easy Street, Carefree, AZ 85377

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

#giant-sculpture #free #small-town #daytime #gardens

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia · Atlas Obscura

last checked: 2026-07-19