Etiquette Rules You Didn't Know To Follow While Visiting Arizona's Archaeological Sites

Home to countless archeological sites dotted around crowd-free and stunning state parks and protected areas that span thousands of years of human history, Arizona offers the perfect combination of rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes. From the ancient Hohokam canal systems near Phoenix to the cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans in the north — with spots as iconic and picturesque as the Grand Canyon itself — these sites are a tangible representation of the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples who inhabited the land for millennia. Today, more than 20 federally recognized tribes maintain strong connections to these ancestral places — some of which date back more than 13,000 years before the arrival of European settlers.

Offering a unique opportunity to experience history firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures that shaped this region, these archeological sites welcome visitors year-round. That said, when you visit these incredible open-air museums, following proper etiquette and adhering to the rules is essential. After all, not only will this help enhance your experience, but it'll also ensure their preservation and protect their significance for future generations.

While most visitors understand basic rules like staying on designated trails and not littering, there are several lesser-known guidelines that are just as vital. Most importantly, though, all of these rules serve one very important purpose: respecting the cultural significance that these sites hold for descendant communities while maintaining their archaeological integrity. What might seem like harmless actions to some can actually cause long-lasting damage to many.

For starters, one of the most important rules to keep in mind when exploring Arizona's archaeological sites is to always leave artifacts exactly where you find them. This includes not digging for items or moving them to different spots. These items connect tribal communities to their heritage, and they serve as physical links to ancestral practices and traditions. Along with this, their scientific value also depends on their original location — which essentially means that, once moved, these artifacts lose crucial context that helps tell their story.

Similarly, it's also important that you resist the urge to create any rock stacks, rearrange existing formations, or disturb any structural remains. The walls and rock alignments at these sites are incredibly fragile, and their arrangement provides essential information to archaeologists and tribal representatives about the way people inhabited this area in the past. This also means that you should never climb on, lean against, or remove rocks from these ancient structures for the sake of preserving both their physical integrity and historical significance.

In terms of the environment of the sites itself, the soil, plant life, and rock art at these sites also hold deep cultural and scientific significance. As such, visitors should always stay on designated trails to avoid disturbing these elements, and never touch any of the art since the oils from your hands can cause them to deteriorate at a much faster rate. This is also why visitors should keep their pets leashed — if they're even allowed within the site boundaries in the first place — and always dispose of their poop the right way if there are no trash cans around.

Finally, and this probably goes without saying, but always avoid smoking or building fires near sites, and remember to pack out your trash whenever you're ready to go. That said, if you spot what appears to be garbabe — leave it in place. Certain trash-looking items might actually be historic material that can help researchers date the site's usage over time, and you can never be too careful about what you're throwing away.