Federal law prohibits the collection of artifacts or disturbing sites in any way without a permit.
The National Historic Preservation Act requires White Sands to identify and protect these resources and to consult with historic preservation authorities before impacting any site. Experts estimate there are about 100,000 prehistoric sites on the range, dating from 12,000 years ago to the 1800s. In addition, the Chiricahua Apache sacred mountain, Salinas Peak, is in the heart of the San Andres Mountains on the west boundary of White Sands. The sites vary in size from small overnight camps in the sand dunes to large towns with adobe room blocks. Prehistoric picture galleries are found in the San Andres and Oscura mountain ranges.