| Coordinates that may be of use: Use this
information as a backup to the directions offered by the BLM on their
web site. |
| The turn off of Las Vegas Blvd at the power line road: 35° 56.285' 115° 11.151' |
| Parking area for Sloan: 35° 54.541' 115° 07.459' |
| The last dry fall and the start of the main site: 35° 53.848' 115° 07.390' |
Things that may be helpful: |
| Sloan Canyon is a great site and you can easily spend a half day or more wandering around the area. Keep this in mind when packing in water and maybe a snack. If you hike in the summer months like I do, try to be at the parking area shortly after sunrise. There is little to no shade in the canyon and in summer it will can be over a 100° by noon. |
The hike from the parking area to the main site is approximately 1.1 miles in a dry wash bottom made up of a loose sand and gravel mixture. There is approximately a 170' elevation gain from the parking area to the main site. |
You will need to do some minor rock scrambling up the last set of dry falls just before the main site. |
The main site has petroglyphs at the wash level as well as up on the hill sides. You can go up on either hillside, sit down and look across to the other side. A lot of petroglyphs that you did not see before will become visible (the longer you look, the more you will see). |
I would highly recommend that you DO NOT take a passenger car to this site. I would recommend a high-clearance vehicle because there are several places on the Power Line Road that are prone to wash outs. |
| The information below - including the driving directions to Sloan Canyon - were taken directly from the Nevada BLM web site . For the most up-to-date information on Sloan Canyon, please visit their web site by clicking any where within this text or if you have any questions, you can call the Las Vegas BLM field office at (702) 515-5000 (I say this tongue-in-cheek knowing that it would probably be easier to talk to the president of the USA than getting to speak to a live person or getting them to return your call). |
| Welcome |
| Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area’s 48,438
acres provide peace and solitude for those who visit the unique scenic
and geologic features and extraordinary cultural resources.
Surroundings can vary from lowland dry lake beds to volcanic rock peaks
reaching more than 5,000 feet. |
| The centerpiece of the area is the Sloan Canyon
Petroglyph Site, one of the most significant cultural resources in
Southern Nevada. Archeologists believe the more than 300 rock art
panels with 1,700 individual design elements were created by native
cultures from the Archaic to historic era. |
|
What is a National Conservation Area? |
| The West offers some of the most remarkable landscapes found on the public lands. Many of these places have received special recognition and protection through congressional or presidential conservation designations. National Conservation Areas are designated by Congress to conserve, protect, enhance and manage public land areas for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Sloan Canyon was designated as a National Conservation Area in 2002 and responsible use of the area is encouraged. |
|
Directions to Sloan Canyon |
|
1.
Take I-15 south to exit 25 (Sloan exit) and turn
left at the stop sign. |
|
2.
Turn left onto Las
Vegas Blvd, and travel north on Las Vegas Blvd about .1 mile. |
|
3.
Turn right on a
dirt road heading east. (This road is opposite the north-bound
freeway entrance for I-15, and will follow the power line.) |
|
4.
Follow the power
line road for approximately 4 miles. Just past power pole number
12084 look for a two-track road on the right. This road is signed
“Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area”. |
|
5.
Follow this road
south for approximately 1 mile. The road will fork, keep to the
right. |
|
6.
Road will dead end
at the entrance to Petroglyph Canyon. |
| Respecting Rock Art |
| Sloan Canyon is one of the premier rock art sites in
Southern Nevada. To keep the petroglyphs pristine, please do not
touch the rock art because contact with the oils in skin will damage
them. You may take photographs and sketches, but rubbings are not
permitted. Avoid climbing near rock art sites. |
How to enjoy the area responsibly |
| Please help conserve your public lands by staying on
designated roads or trails, checking on fire restrictions before your
visit, and respecting rock art. |
| While the final management plan is being prepared,
Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area has different rules for usage
depending on your location. Once management documents are
completed for the area, regulations will be clearly outlined.
Please refer to map and rules on the inside of this brochure for
guidance. |
| The northern half of the conservation area is
subject to rules that were approved in 1998. Only one entrance is
accessible and only street-legal vehicles may use this entrance.
Camping and shooting and off-highway vehicles are not allowed in the
northern portion. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are
encouraged on existing roads and trails. |
Wilderness |
| The North McCullough Wilderness is located with
Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and rules that apply in this
wilderness are the same in all congressionally-mandated wilderness
areas. Non-mechanized/non-motorized travel is not allowed, but
activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching are
encouraged. All vehicles, including mountain bikes, are prohibited
within the wilderness boundary. Only hiking is encouraged in the
Sloan Canyon Petroglyph Area. |
| Volunteerism |
| A variety of volunteer opportunities exist at Sloan
Canyon National Conservation Area including visitor contacts and trash
clean-ups. Please call for more information. |
Management Planning |
| Management plans are being developed for the
conservation area and its wilderness area. The plan will provide
guidance for BLM’s management of the area. The guidance will
enable the BLM to manage and allocate use of the lands and resources
within the area. |
One last piece of helpful information:
| Once you've made it to the spot pictured below, you are at the beginning of the Main Sloan Canyon Petroglyph Site. Start looking for petroglyphs at the base as well when you are working your way up this last set of dry falls. You will need to scramble over the rocks to get to the top. The easiest way is up the left side as you are heading up stream. The main site starts at the top of the last dry fall. Also on the walk from the parking area to where you are now you past several isolated petroglyphs plus one nice site that was on your left as you headed to the main site. Just something to keep in mind on your way out. |
The main site is directly in front of you.
| Click here to view Sloan Canyon Petroglyphs on our other web site | |
| Return to List of Public Sites | Return to the home page |
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