Leave Cultural Belongings Where They Are
Cultural belongings such as pottery pieces, flakes and stone tools, corn cobs, and textiles left by early Indigenous peoples are still sacred to Tribes and Pueblos. Ancestral items and historic artifacts help researchers learn about the past. It's illegal to remove such items from public lands.
Pack Out Your Poop
Human and pet waste threatens fragile ecosystems and drinking water for hikers and wildlife alike. Poop near cultural sites is disrespectful to the Tribes and Pueblos that revere this sacred cultural landscape. When facilities are not available, please pack out your waste.
Refrain From Grinding Ancestral Slicks
Grinding slicks and carved grooves were created by early Indigenous peoples. Respect the ancestors who left them by refraining from touching or using altered surfaces that you may encounter on the landscape.
Steer Clear of Ancestral Structures
Structures are spiritually alive and still hold cultural significance to Tribal peoples. When recreating, visitors should refrain from leaning on walls, no matter how solid they look and avoid touching, standing on, or climbing in structures as they can be easily damaged.
Avoid Building Cairns
Building cairns can impact sensitive sites and are a form of vandalism to the natural world. You might not realize it, but some stacked stones may be ancestral shrines. Leave placement of trail directional signs and leveling of cairns to land managers.
Camp & Eat Away from Archaeology
Ancestral sites and structures are where Tribes and Pueblos believe their ancestors' spirits still reside. Camping, fires, and food can damage cultural sites and spoil the view for other visitors. Remember to pack out all your waste, including food scraps and poop.
Dogs & Archaeology Don’t Mix
To prevent erosion and degradation, dogs are not allowed in or near archeological sites. Always check beforehand if dogs are permitted in an area or region. Remember that many of these sites are culturally significant, so please make sure to leash pets, keep them away from cultural sites, and don’t let them dig.
Guide Children Through Sites
Sacred cultural sites are not playgrounds. Teach children to respect these places so they can share them with future generations and become better stewards of the land. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t get hurt or accidentally damage cultural belongings.
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 there before.
Use Rubber-Tipped Poles
A rubber tip prevents your hiking pole from scratching and scarring subtle rock images on the ground.