Saving Puebloan Ruins in Sand Canyon

The Setting

Sand Canyon’s ancient Puebloan ruins were slowly destroyed by insensitive visitors and centuries of weathering. Could the area be preserved and still be accessible to visitors?

What Happened Next

The land, owned by the federal government and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, attracted thousands of tourists each year, including those who were guests of Rodney and Kristie Carriker. The Carrikers owned Kelly Place and founded McElmo Canyon Research Institute and used the area as an attraction for their guests.

• The Carrikers proposed a partnership with BLM to complete an archaeological survey.
• Recruited Elderhostel participants for the project
• Surveyed 1,600 acres and identified 136 cultural resources

Results

• 313 people participated in a working vacation on the archaeological excavation
• Volunteers and archaeologists helped keep the area open.
• Four archaeological sites have been stabilized.
• BLM reports that visitors have become more respectful of the site.
• BLM has contacted other commercial outfitters about becoming involved in Sand Canyon.

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