Are Rock Stacks Bad For The Environment?

Rock stack on beach

I'm sure at some point in your life you've seen a picturesque rock stack in nature; a little tower of stones reaching for the clear blue sky. They're aesthetically pleasing, for sure, but what do they mean? Why do people build rock stacks? Are they bad for the environment?

I'm here to answer those questions. In this article I'll shed some light on the pretty little rock stacks you may see at the beach or on a hike.

What are rock stacks called?

rock stack cairn on mountain

Another name for a rock stack is a "cairn." The word “cairn” originates from Old Scottish Gaelic and Irish terms meaning a pile or heap of stones. Some may call them rock stacks or rock towers. Cairn is just the official name.

Rock stack meaning

Rock stacks/cairns are piles of stones that humans intentionally build. They can be found all over the world, from mountaintops and deserts to coastlines and forests, and they carry a variety of meanings depending on their cultural and environmental context.

Many see rock stacks as symbols of:

• Balance and harmony — the delicate act of stacking stones mirrors the need for balance in life.

• Impermanence — they’re temporary, reminding us that everything changes.

• Grounding and meditation — stacking stones can be calming and help focus attention on the present moment.

They can have different meanings depending on the person. For one person, a rock stack might represent a long-gone loved one. For someone else, it might just bring them joy to build them.

Why do people stack rocks?

There are various reasons people collect stones to pile into little stacks. The practice of making cairns goes back thousands of years to when early humans used them as trail markers, burial sites, or spiritual symbols.

Today, they are still used as trail markers for hikers. If a path is not visible, a rock stack may be made to mark it. Cairns can point hikers in the right direction so they don't get lost in the woods, which can easily become a deadly situation.

To some, the act of making a cairn feels like making art, getting creative, or connecting with nature. Some simply enjoy the aesthetic and like to get that perfect photo for Instagram.

In places like Scotland, Ireland, and parts of Asia, cairns were seen as offerings or memorials, symbolizing respect for the dead or the spirits of the land.

Are rock stacks bad?

While rock stacks aren't always bad, there are ways that they can have a negative impact.

When unauthorized cairns are made on hiking trails, it can conflict with ones that are specific for trail marking.

Environmental damage can also occur from rock stacks.

Are rock stacks bad for the environment?

Rock stacking is forbidden in many areas. It's for good reason, too. While it may seem like a harmless activity, making cairns can be harmful, given the impact on the environment.

Environmentalists warn against making cairns. Avoiding building these stacks is a part of "leave no trace" ethics.

How do rock stacks harm the ecosystems?

Rock stacks can disturb fragile ecosystems, especially near streams or beaches where rocks provide shelter for small animals and insects.

 Moving rocks disturbs soil, promotes erosion, and removes shelter for insects and other small wildlife.

Another reason to avoid rock stacking is that they will inevitably fall, which can injure wildlife, and sometimes even people.

Should you knock down rock stacks?

This is a tricky one. Given the fact that they are bad for the environment, you'd think it would be an obvious "Yes!" but it is more complicated than that.

When you kick over a rock stack, you don't know what critters you may be smashing.

Then there's the fact that a cairn may be a trail marker.

Sometimes it is obvious when a rock stack isn't a trail maker. In this case, it is best to gently take the stack apart, removing the stones one by one instead of knocking it all down like a Jenga tower.

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The verdict is in! Rock stacks are bad for the environment, unfortunately. They may be fun to assemble and take nice photos of, but this practice should be avoided.

When it comes to protecting the environment, sometimes sacrifices must be made. You may enjoy making cairns, but mother nature will thank you to refrain from doing so. Unless you are making an authorized cairn as a trail maker, rock stacks are bad.

Now you know! And hey, if you've done this before, don't beat yourself up. It's an easy mistake. It seems like an innocuous thing to do, but now you know it is best to hold off on stacking rocks.

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About the author

Shello! My name is Mermaid Liv, a professional mermaid and content creator. I share my love of mermaiding through this blog, along with my Youtube channel.

If you've never heard of it before, mermaiding is a hobby, profession, and sport that involves wearing mermaid tails made for swimming.

I began making tails in 2013 and have continued my mermaid journey, starting my Youtube channel, working at a mermaid festival, performing at gigs, and being featured in the Netflix Docu Series MerPeople.

Follow me on Instagram for mermaid photos and videos: @the_real_mermaid_liv and be *shore* to check out my Youtube channel.