Archaeological Site Etiquette: 5 Rules for Visiting Ruins in Sedona

Planning to visit ruins in Sedona? Follow these 5 archaeological site etiquette guidelines to help preserve Native American history — and avoid fines up to $100,000.

Visiting ancient ruins is one of the best parts about hiking in Sedona. To be able to walk amongst the civilizations of those in the past is a really special experience. In fact, I would argue visiting the archaeological sites in Sedona made our experience in Sedona more meaningful.

And while some people think these sites should be kept a secret, we can often see why; we also believe people have the right to visit these places. These ancient ruins in Sedona should be visited by anyone capable of following some basic guidelines to preserve these places for future generations.

When visiting Sedona, we made it a goal to seek out and visit each ancient ruin, both “secret” ones, hello, Altar Cave hike, and those made public by the forest service; places like Palatki Heritage Site and Honanki Heritage Site.

Visiting the archeological sites in Sedona gave us a better understanding of the red rock cliffs we were hiking in, and a great look into the past, making us extremely grateful for the amenities of the time we’re living in.

If you can follow these simple guidelines for helping preserve Sedona’s rich history, we encourage you to visit the ancient ruins in Sedona to bring your trip to Sedona to the next level!

Helping Preserve History

It’s our duty to help preserve history by respecting the historical sites we visit. Follow these five simple archaeological site etiquette guidelines to show your respect in these areas.

As a side note, keep in mind that camping is not allowed at any of the archeological sites in Sedona. Similarly, dogs and pets are not permitted at the ruins and sites.

5 Archaeological Site Etiquette Guidelines

1. Do not move, climb on, sit, or lean against the walls.

The ruins in Sedona are hundreds of years old. The walls are very fragile, and can fall over with even an accidental nudge. Be careful to not climb on top of the walls, or really put any pressure on the walls at all.

2. Do not move artifacts or dig at sites.

While it may be tempting to move artifacts around, it’s important to keep them as they are. There are archeologists whose job it is to dig at the sites, be sure to leave it to them. Digging at the sites and removing artifacts are both punishable by felony and/or misdemeanor charges.

Moving artifacts includes stacking new rocks at the ruins. Leave the rocks as they lay, and do not add to the ancient rock walls. This is a huge one, especially for places like the Subway Cave, where we’ve witnessed people trying to recreate the ancient rock walls.

3. Don’t touch the rock art.

I always told my kindergarteners to look with your eyes, not with your hands. And that’s true in the rock art realm in Sedona too.

The oils from our hands can ruin the art. It can cause the art to deteriorate at a faster rate, making future scientists date the art incorrectly. Similarly, if we touch the art, it can rub off the paintings, ruin the etchings and carvings, and ultimately make the rock art disappear in the long run.

4. Leave nothing behind.

When I say nothing, I mean nothing. Do no add any graffiti or new art to the ruins. Be sure to take all your trash, including food waste and scraps. And pack out everything you brought in with you.

It’s important to note, you should also not leave anything like flowers or other offerings at the ruins. This skews scientific discovery when searching for answers within the soil and things left at the ruins from its original occupants.

5. Don’t be afraid to explore, just be sure to leave no trace.

We got a lot of heat from sharing about our experiences at different ruins in Sedona. There are people who think we shouldn’t share locations or trail guides to finding these Native American Ruins.

However, we believe there’s no better way to understand history than to dive into it. And what better way to dive into history than to walk amongst the homes of those in our past?

Climbing up to these ruins and wandering through them offers an understanding far greater than simply looking from afar.

Just be sure to leave no trace. Stay on the trails and walk through the doorways already created when exploring ruins in Sedona.

A Fine Is Not Worth It

It’s worth noting that it’s our job to help protect and preserve these historic places. If you see something, say something.

The Archaeological Resources Protection Act protects all historic sites in Sedona.

The fines can be pretty severe. And as such, I’m going to quote the Coconino National Forest website here..

“All archaeological and historic sites on the Coconino National Forest are protected by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. These laws prohibit digging, removing artifacts, or damaging and defacing of archaeological resources on public lands. The law provides felony and/or misdemeanor prosecution with imprisonment up to 10 years and fines up to $100,000.”

Where To Find Ruins in Sedona

We truly loved our time in Sedona, and a huge part of that love came from visiting the archaeological sites in Sedona to really appreciate our surroundings.

Finding Ruins in Sedona | We’ve put together an entire post on where to find ruins in Sedona because while we had over a month to explore the area, we understand most do not.

One Day Sedona Itinerary | This itinerary takes you to some of the historic sites in Sedona.

Altar Cave Trail Guide | There are five different caves within one short hike from the popular Boynton Canyon Trailhead. These caves each have ruins and also offer incredible sunset views in Sedona!

A Complete 5 Step Guide to Subway Cave | While we’ll be the first to say we think you should skip Subway Cave, we understand this is an iconic Sedona location. This guide takes you step by step to the cave and shares information about ruins nearby, too.

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