Tips for Enjoying & Preserving Archaeological Sites
Cultural sites are sacred to Indigenous peoples and integral to American history. By treading softly and leaving things as we find them, we show respect for those who came before us and those who will visit after us.
What you can do to protect ancient and sacred places
VIEW SITES FROM A DISTANCE. Many Indigenous peoples consider this landscape sacred, and numerous Tribal Elders ask visitors to view sites from a distance. This small act honors Tribal beliefs and protects cultural resources from the destructive effects of visitation, like erosion.
LEAVE ALL ARTIFACTS. Artifacts are sacred to modern Indigenous peoples, and scientists can learn valuable lessons about the past when objects stay where they are. Artifacts include pottery pieces, stone tools, rock flakes, and corn cobs. It’s illegal to remove any artifact, including historic trash, from public lands. Watch the video here.
DON’T TOUCH ROCK IMAGERY OR MAKE YOUR OWN. Natural oils on your hands damage these delicate images. Vandalism of petroglyphs and pictographs erases stories of ancient people and destroys the experience for future visitors.
STEER CLEAR OF WALLS. Structures are easily damaged. Please refrain from touching, leaning, standing, or climbing on any structures, no matter how solid they look. Watch the video here.
PACK OUT YOUR POOP. Human and pet waste threatens fragile desert ecosystems and drinking water sources for hikers and wildlife. Poop near cultural sites is disrespectful to Indigenous cultures that hold this landscape sacred. When hiking and camping, please use portable waste bags or a camp toilet. When you just can’t pack it out, do your best by burying your waste 6 inches deep.
GUIDE CHILDREN THROUGH SITES. Archaeological sites are not playgrounds. Teach children to respect these places. Keep a close eye on them, so they don’t get hurt or accidentally damage cultural resources. Watch the video here.
DOGS & ARCHAEOLOGY DON’T MIX. To prevent digging and erosion, pets are not allowed in archaeological sites. Please make sure to leash pets and keep them away from the site. Pets are not allowed in some areas, so know beforehand where dogs are permitted. Watch the video here.
CAMP & EAT AWAY FROM ARCHAEOLOGY. Camping, fires, and food can damage archaeological remains and spoil the view for other visitors. Remember to pack out all your waste, including food scraps. Watch the video here.
AVOID BUILDING CAIRNS. Cairns can increase impacts on sensitive sites and are a form of vandalism to the natural world that detracts from the wild beauty of the area. You might not realize you’re making a cairn with an artifact such as a grinding or shrine stone, which is illegal. Leave placement of trail directional signs and cairns to land managers. Watch the video here.
USE RUBBER-TIPPED HIKING POLES. A rubber tip prevents your hiking pole from scratching and scarring subtle rock images on the ground. Watch the video here.
PAY YOUR FEES. It may not seem like much, but your small fee helps support important monitoring, enforcement, and amenities like toilets.
USE A FIRE PAN. Remember to check when and where fires are allowed. Ground fires leave scars on the landscape and a mess for the next visitor. Bring a fire pan, or at the very least, use existing fire rings. Wait until your ashes are cool to the touch and pack them out.
LEAVE GRINDING IN THE PAST. Re-grinding in slicks and grooves removes the finish left by those who created them. Please refrain from touching or using grinding slicks. Watch the video here.
DON’T BUST THE CRUST. Stay on existing trails and routes to protect the living cryptobiotic soil. Once stepped on, this fragile crust takes years to regrow.
GPS REVEALS TOO MUCH. GPS points often lead uneducated visitors to sensitive sites. When posting online about your trip, remove all references to location.
STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS. Use existing roads that are approved for use by land managers. Driving off-road can damage fragile archaeology and ecosystems.
ENJOY ARCHAEOLOGY WITHOUT ROPES. This protects archaeology from damage caused by falling rocks and looting. The use of climbing gear like ropes to access archaeological sites is illegal.
DON’T DISTURB FOSSILS OR BONES. Leave fossils, dinosaur bones, tracks, and other paleontological remains where you find them so future visitors and scientists can learn from them.
HISTORIC ARTIFACTS AREN’T TRASH. Leave historic artifacts like rusted cans right where they are. They help interpret the past and show who has been here before. Watch the video here.