Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area facts for kids
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Sloan Petroglyph Site and Boundary Increase
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Petroglyphs and wildflowers in Sloan Canyon
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| Location | Clark County, Nevada |
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| Nearest city | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001720 (original) 02000114 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 19, 1978 |
| Boundary increase | February 5, 2004 |
The Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) is a special place in Nevada. It is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This area is located south of Las Vegas, near Henderson, Nevada. It protects a large area of desert, about 48,438 acres. The Sloan Canyon NCA is well-known for its amazing ancient rock art. The Sloan Petroglyph Site within the area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Ancient Rock Art at Sloan Canyon
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Sloan Canyon is home to many incredible petroglyphs. Petroglyphs are ancient drawings carved into rocks. People sometimes call this area the "Sistine Chapel" of Native American rock art. This is because there are so many of them, and they are very important.
Experts who study ancient cultures, called archaeologists, believe these artworks are very old. There are more than 300 rock art panels. These panels have about 1,700 different designs. They were made by native cultures over many centuries. Some date back to the Archaic period.
Protecting the Petroglyphs
To protect these ancient artworks, the BLM does not share their exact location. This helps prevent problems like vandalism. It is very important to respect these historical sites.
The Sloan Canyon NCA has rules to keep the area safe and preserved. As of November 2006, you cannot camp, shoot, or drive off-road vehicles here. These rules help prevent litter and damage. However, you are welcome to go hiking, biking, and horseback riding. You should stay on existing roads and trails. The BLM asks all visitors to be responsible and help protect the rock art.
The North McCullough Wilderness Area is also part of the Sloan Canyon NCA. This wilderness area covers the northern part of the McCullough Range.
Exploring the Area: Trailheads
You can enter the Sloan Canyon NCA from several different trailheads. These are starting points for trails where you can hike, bike, or ride horses.
- Dutchman Pass (Mission Hills) is on the east side.
- Quo Vadis is also on the east side.
- Hidden Valley is on the southwest side.
- Petroglyph Canyon is on the west side, south of Inspirada.
- Shadow Canyon is on the western mid-boundary, inside Solara.
- Anthem Hills is on the western north boundary, in South Anthem.
