( CNN ) -- Hundreds of acres of winding trails and giant boulders are closed at a popular site in Joshua Tree National Park . And social media is playing a role . The California park is battling an outbreak of graffiti splashed across its vast rock formations . Vandals are posting pictures of their graffiti on social media sites , according to officials , making the illegal handiwork more popular and exacerbating the problem . `` Oatmeal cookie , '' some of the graffiti reads . `` Little nature boy . '' To limit the impact of vandalism on historic sites , park rangers closed 308 acres of Rattlesnake Canyon until the end of the month , citing the escalating problem . `` Since January , individuals have defaced the day-use and canyon area of Rattlesnake Canyon with graffiti , '' the park said in a statement . `` While this started as a few markings , social media posts appear to have sparked numerous individuals ' interest in adding to the vandalism of this scenic canyon . The continued malicious desecration of Joshua Tree National Park has now affected archeological sites . '' During the closure , park officials will review and work to correct the damage to the areas affected . The closed canyon features massive rock formations and rugged desert trails . Earlier this year , park officials also closed access to the historic Barker Dam , which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places , after vandals scrawled a series of writings on the landmark wall . If found guilty of defacing government property , vandals face a $ 5,000 fine and up to six months imprisonment . Joshua Tree National Park comprises about 800,000 acres . Highways unleash America 's wandering , restless spirit .
Vandals face a $ 500 fine and up to six months imprisonment . Park rangers patrol more than 300 acres of a popular playground . The vast California park is battling rampant graffiti splashed across its rock formations .