The Cedar Mesa is part of the Colorado Plateau. Much of it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Some of the areas are designated as Wilderness Study Areas. Much of is accessible only by primitive camping and hiking. Visitors are expected to follow certain rules and etiquette, such as "Leave No Trace",
don't take anything from archaeological sites (except photographs), etc.

Many writers call the area with its wealth of archaeological sites and rock art, an "outdoor museum" (we agree). 
Some have said sightseers, day hikers, and backpackers are loving the area -- with its fragile ecosystem and archaeological sites -- to death (not to mention the vandals and looters). We try to be careful and respectful.

Although we have done backpacking (carrying camping gear for multiple days), this trip we mostly car camped and dayhiked, carrying "only" water, lunch, essentials and camera equipment.

We keep coming back to the Cedar Mesa on our vacations because of its senses of timelessness.
Nature's raw beauty is spectacular -- its cycles, rhythms, patterns, textures. The land reveals the history of
thousands of years of people who lived in close harmony with their natural environment.