Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area

Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is a protected desert region featuring volcanic formations and open terrain across thousands of acres. The landscape combines flat sandy areas with rocky outcrops and dark lava flows that mark the geological history of the place.

Congress designated this area as a conservation area in 2002 to safeguard the desert landscape and archaeological remains. The decision protected both the natural environment and the evidence of ancient inhabitation that was present on the land.

Indigenous peoples left behind petroglyphs on the canyon walls, marking their presence across different periods of habitation. These rock carvings remain visible today as direct records of the people who once lived in this landscape.

The area can be accessed from several trailheads that allow visitors to hike, bike, or ride horses through the landscape. Come prepared with plenty of water and sun protection, as the open desert offers little shade on most routes.

The northern section displays dark lava fields and glassy volcanic zones that resulted from ancient eruptions. These geological features stand out distinctly from the surrounding desert and reveal how volcanic forces shaped the land long ago.