Summary: Because of the fragile desert ecosystem of the inner canyon, minimum impact camping practices are a must. Around 800 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 pre-historic 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 every thing 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. 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 caution or simply avoid. Stanton’s Cave is at river mile 30. You can hike 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 archaeological 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 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, foundation
