The sun rises over a vast canyon.

Visit Museums and Cultural Sites

Explore destinations where history, culture, and natural beauty converge. Whether you're interested in museum exhibits or trails that wind through areas of cultural significance, these places offer unique opportunities to connect with the heritage and stories that define our public lands.  

Plan ahead and prepare, as some facilities may have seasonal hours, and some trailheads may be challenging to access. Wherever you go, please visit cultural sites with respect.

Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Utah
Washington, D.C.
Wyoming

Visiting Cultural Sites with Respect 

The cultural sites we manage are fragile and irreplaceable - containing imagery, artifacts, and other historical evidence from centuries long ago. It’s import that when you visit, you Visit with Respect. These principles are designed specifically for visiting areas of cultural significance to help to preserve and protect resources. Here's a summary of the core principles: 

  • Leave all artifacts: The stories told by artifacts are lost when the artifacts are moved or removed from a cultural site. Artifacts include historical objects such as bullets, buttons, tools, and other discarded objects from early American explorations, migration routes, and settlements, as well as Native American pottery pieces, stone tools, rock flakes, corn cobs, and much more. To modern eyes these objects might look like trash or seem like a fun ‘finders keepers’ souvenirs. However, it’s illegal to remove any artifact, including historic refuse, from public lands.  
  • Steer clear of structures: Historic and prehistoric structures are easily damaged. Please refrain from touching, leaning, standing, or climbing on any structures, no matter how solid they look. 
  • Guide children through sites: Archaeological sites are not playgrounds. Teach children to respect these places. Keep a close eye on them, so they don’t get hurt or accidentally damage cultural resources. 
  • Dogs and archeology don't mix: To prevent digging and erosion, pets are not allowed in archaeological sites. In areas where pets are allowed, please keep them leashed while near cultural resources. 
  • Don't touch rock imagery or make your own: Natural oils on your hands damage these delicate images. Vandalism of petroglyphs and pictographs erases stories of ancient people and destroys the experience for future visitors.