Because of the fragile desert ecosystem of the inner canyon,
minimum impact camping practices are a must.
Around 900 people a day will be camping along the river on any given night during
peak season.
There's significant potential for damage to everyone's favorite camps.
But if we all work together, we can help preserve the camps for future
visitors.
Humans have left their mark in the canyon, long before we started running the rapids.
These prehistoric and historic resource areas are all a part of the canyon record,
from ancestral Puebloans to the miners and explorers.
Each site is a protected area and everything from the smallest flake of stone,
to pieces of pottery; even more recent historic artifacts
are a significant part of the canyons history. All are protected by law and
should be left as they're found.
If you're out hiking on a trail, encourage everyone in your group to stay on
the trail. This will lessen the cumulative effects of traveling
in this fragile desert environment.
Remember when you hike on river left, you may be entering the Navajo,
Havasupai, or Hualapi Indian Reservations. This includes the Diamond Creek Takeout.
If you are planning on visiting these areas, please apply for permits well in advance
before entering reservation lands. Consult with the main park office for
the specific boundaries of these reservations and any applicable fees.
While exploring areas off the river you'll discover a wealth of archeological
sites. They're all fragile and serve as
a connection to the Canyon's past as well as a valuable study resource.
Native Americans have been in the canyon for over ten thousand years.
Because of the dry desert environment, many of the artifacts they left
are still intact throughout the canyon. Many are of significant religious importance
to today's tribal people.
Archeological sites come in many varieties from walls and foundations, to granaries,
to large areas dotted with ruins and roasting pits.
These sites have endured decades and sometimes, centuries,
but with one misstep, an area can be damaged or eliminated over time.
Always stay on established trails and don't enter any of the sites.
Most of them are very delicate and can be degraded or destroyed very easily.
Something as simple as leaning against a wall can cause it to collapse.
Grand Canyon covers over 1.2 million acres. Most of this space is open for you to explore.
There are certain areas though, where you will need to show some caution,
or simply avoid.
Stanton's Cave is at river mile 30. You can hike up to the cave opening
but are restricted from entering the cave by a gate.
This gate was constructed to preserve the archeological site inside and allow a colony
of bats to fly in and out of the cave.
The artifacts that once were here were excavated by archeologists long ago.
Just down river and in view of Stanton's Cave, is Vasey's Paradise.
Vasey's is home to the Kanab Amber Snail that live in the vegetation.
It's best to stay 5 feet from any plants for the protection of the snail and yourself;
poison ivy abounds at this site.
Due to the fragile nature of the remnants of Anasazi Bridge on the cliff face
at river mile 42, this archeological site is closed to all stopping or visitation.
Another area off limits to all stopping is the Sacred Salt Mine just below
the confluence of the Little Colorado River. This is a religious site of great value to
Hopi and other tribes of the Four Corners
and out of respect we ask you not to stop here.
At River Mile 52 you will see the Nankoweap Granaries in a small alcove
in the cliff face. Hiking up the stabilized trail is permitted,
but please stay on the ledge below the actual granaries.
The Furnace Flats area is located at river mile 71 and one-half.
The site has undergone severe erosion, and is closed to any visitation.
While the park tries to stabilize the area, please don't stop there.
At river mile 72 is one of the largest archeological sites
in the canyon. Unkar Delta is perched on a large shelve above
Unkar Rapid. This area covers many acres and was inhabited
some 1000 years ago. There are dozens of structures, foundations
as well as pottery pieces and other artifacts; so take some time to explore this unique area.
When visiting any archeological site, please don't enter any of the structures.
If you want to examine an artifact more closely you may pick it up, but please return it
to the exact spot where you picked it up. You'll notice collector's piles throughout
the site where visitors have stacked artifacts for display.
It's far more rewarding for you and those
who will follow to make their own discoveries. Please don't pile artifacts on rocks or walls.
The canyon has been host to several eras of human occupation and activities.
The late 1800's saw a flurry of mining activity. One of the richest minerals taken from the
canyon was asbestos, because of the potential health hazard
both Hance and Bass mines sites are closed to visitation.