False Kiva; Once a major tourist draw now vandalised
A human-made stone circle of unknown origin in a cave in a remote area of the park. Debate used to rage on whether to disclose the exact location of False Kiva, once the major tourist draw.
False Kiva is a human-made stone circle of unknown origin in a cave in a remote area of Canyonlands National Park, which is located in U.S. state of Utah. It has been closed by Canyonlands National Park rangers in early August 2018, as a result of recent vandalisms. It requires some hiking knowledge or special directions to find.
It has become a popular spot for photographers capturing the Southwest, offering a unique frame for the dramatic thunderstorms or clear skies beyond.
Debate rages on whether to disclose the exact location of False Kiva as it enjoys a semi-protected status. While park rangers are required to disclose the location of the Class II site, it does not appear on official maps of the park. Because of the remoteness of the location, the site is not protected from vandalism.
However, local guides are available to take interested parties to the site, raising questions as to whether closely guarding the location of False Kiva is effective. The trailhead to False Kiva is not marked or signed from park roads, but the route itself is marked by cairns in several locations, and can be accessed without technical climbing equipment.
