With it's petroglyphs and scenic beauty, Sloan Canyon is one of Southern Nevada's most precious natural resources yet few people get the chance to experience it.

The Bureau of Land Management is expecting approval by the end of the year for a plan to make Sloan more accessible to the public.  At the same time -- the BLM hopes to better protect Sloan's historic sites from thieves and vandals.

"We are at Petroglyph Canyon trailhead in Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area," said Robbie McAboy with the BLM, as he escorts an Eyewitness News crew.

Right now the only way to access Sloan Canyon is to hike into the canyon.  There are no paved roads, no trail markers, no visitor's center, no bathrooms and did we mention the rock scrambling?