September 2025
NVFCP Collaborates with LCAT on Ash Springs Petroglyph Tours
As the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism (LCAT) works to develop a variety of new guided excursions around the county, NVFCP was honored to be invited to contribute to their efforts—specifically by sharing insight and stewardship guidance at the Ash Springs Petroglyph Site.
Before jumping in, we coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees this publicly interpreted site, to ensure our involvement aligned with their management goals.
During the orientation for LCAT’s tour leaders, we provided deeper context around the cultural and environmental significance of Ash Springs. This site sits within a region that has seen human occupation for over 12,000 years, shaped by a shifting climate and the increasing importance of year-round water sources like the Ash Springs hot spring. These waters, along with others in the region, feed into the Pahranagat Valley, a landscape now known for its ranching heritage and as the home of the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.
Our primary message during the tour? Respect the site. Leave all artifacts, petroglyphs, and natural features undisturbed. While NVFCP will not receive any profit from future tours of Ash Springs—we feel commercialization doesn’t support our mission at this time—we strongly believe in the educational value of guided interpretation. When visitors understand the stories behind these places, they’re far more likely to protect them. Even something as simple as taking a rock can erase a piece of history.
We’re excited to support tourism efforts that prioritize education, preservation, and responsible visitation, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help shape this new chapter for Lincoln County.
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