Paved Road and Contact Station Now Open at Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
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Las Vegas – Today, BLM Southern Nevada District announced the grand opening of Nawghaw Poa Road and the visitor contact station at Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.
“Based on recent public input, improving access to Petroglyph Canyon was the top priority at Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area” said Tim Smith, BLM Southern Nevada District Manager. “We had already created 44 miles of trail but we heard you when you asked for a paved access road, installation of a temporary visitor contact station and added amenities like restrooms, kiosks and increased parking. But we couldn’t be here today without you, our partners. BLM is fortunate to have strong relationships with City of Henderson, Friends of Sloan Canyon and Native American tribes and many others who are awe-struck by this area.”
The contact station will be staffed by BLM and Friends of Sloan Canyon volunteers Friday – Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through summer. On October 1, the contact station will be open daily.
The next phase of improvement projects from the Sloan Canyon’s implementation plan include: permanent visitor contact station building; permanent restroom; picnic shelters and tables; interpretative signs/exhibits; and restoration and trail improvements; Loop Trail; overlook pavilion; amphitheater and outdoor exhibits; additional indoor exhibits as well as Dutchman Pass Trailhead; Dutchman Pass road improvements; Hidden Valley Trailhead; and Quo Vadis Trailhead; additional trails and road improvements between Dutchman Pass and Quo Vadis.
Sloan Canyon was designated as a National Conservation Area in 2002 and its 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.
Visitors are asked to help preserve this precious resource. While in Petroglyph Canyon, remain on the trail as climbing on the walls near the rock art may cause damage. Photographs and sketches are great ways to remember your visit, but rubbings are not permitted. Please do not touch the rock art because contact with the oils in skin will damage them. While off-highway vehicles are one of the many ways to enjoy the Southern Nevada landscape, due to environmental concerns, their use is not allowed in Sloan Canyon. Target shooting can be a fun activity if done safely and is generally allowed on BLM managed public lands. After public input, Sloan Canyon National Conservation was closed to target shooting to provide for public safety. Following Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, hunting and trapping are allowed in Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.