Professor Valley Field Camp

35 acres of unique desert beauty
ready for your group's adventure.

Anyone who has spent a few nights at Professor Valley Field Camp (PVFC) will testify that it is a magical place.

This breathtaking setting is surrounded by BLM land and is just 20 miles from Moab and Arches National Park. Professor Creek runs through the property offering rare riparian shade and wildlife habitat as serene and iconic views of Fisher Towers, La Sal Mountains and Castleton Tower frame the unique property. PVFC is 15 minutes away from a Colorado River boat launch and is accessible via State Highway 128, but still provides a remote environmental feeling. 

Professor Valley Field Camp is an ideal location during the beautiful fall and spring seasons, where the desert landscape can create an unforgettable adventure.

It is home to our Professor Valley Field Camp School Program, and can be rented for workshops, family reunions, or other programs interested in educational retreats.

Spectacular Scenery

Iconic mesas and sandstone tower views from camp

Red Rock Cliffs

Enjoy this classic Moab landscape.

Perennial Stream

Explore Professor Creek as it crosses the property.

Along the Colorado River

Minutes away from boat launches and river views.

Outdoor Learning Adventure

Unwind and learn about nature.

Shape Your Experience at Professor Valley

Teachers, take your students to Professor Valley

Professor Valley Field Camp School Program:

PVFC is the heart of our land-based school program, an immersive outdoor educational adventure for 6th through 12th grade students.

  • 5 days and 4 nights of place-based learning, artistic discovery, community-centric activities, and SEL, all led by naturalist guides.
  • Meals and outfitting services are all included.
  • Whitewater Rafting trip on the Moab Daily is included with all school programs.

 

There is plenty to explore at Professor Valley Field Camp. The program comes with educators to lead your students through relevant, place based curriculum that features hands-on activities at archaeology sites, riparian ecology investigations, and engaging lessons for all types of learners.

Rent Our Space

The field camp is a versatile and accommodative space that can be rented out for your group to explore, unwind, learn, and connect. Whether you’re looking to have a unique family gathering, organizational retreat, or workshop, let CFI bring your group's ideal Moab experience to life.

  • Tipis with cots for sleeping.
  • Indoor Yurt Space with electricity.
  • BYO food and use our camp kitchen, or include a meal plan with your rental!
  • All retreat rentals come with customizable naturalist programming. It could be a star talk, night hike, or archaeological exploration.

Group Rates per night: 

  • 20 people or fewer: $900 per night
  • Each additional person above 20: $30
  • Meal plans include dinner the evening of your stay plus hot breakfast, snacks, and lunch the next day
    • Add a meal plan: $50 per person
areal pvfc drone shot driveway, landscape

Check out our immersive outdoor classrooms at Professor Valley Field Camp

wooden deck behind classroom yurt pvfc

Outdoor Classroom Deck

 

This south end location of Field Camp near the ADA parking pad was converted from a “swale” to an Outdoor Classroom. This 12 x 16 uncovered deck platform, railing, ADA ramp, and ADA access trail provides connected pathways to the classroom yurt and the Community Campfire Circle.

classroom yurt pvfc

Classroom Yurt

The classroom yurt is the only climate controlled learning environment at the field camp. This indoor space is used for  programming activities like town hall and moon balls (learning about the phases of the moon), as well as free time gatherings. There is ADA access to the classroom yurt via a bridge and a back deck, both with railings.

Cottonwood Classroom PVFC

Cottonwood Classroom

The outdoor classroom is a versatile learning space, shaded by cottonwood trees, where CFI educators lead social emotional team building activities, group discussions, and play-based games. It is also a short walk down a dirt path to Professor Creek.

Roofed Steel Shelter Pavilion Photo

Pavilion

 

This roofed steel shelter teaching station on the north end of field camp, provides covering for various weather conditions. It also doubles as a greeting and departure venue, as it has a limestone chip trail that connects to the bus parking lot.

Digital Camera

Professor Creek

Professor Creek runs through the property offering cool relief in this desert landscape. CFI educators provide opportunities to explore riparian ecology and view wildlife. The creek is also a serene environment for art activities and a calming space to build connection with self and nature.

pvfc archaeology site ammo can

Archaeology Site

The documented archaeology site provides a space for students and adults alike to navigate the landscape in search for lithic scatter while learning about human history and historic uses of flint knapping, as well as the native species found throughout the area. Petroglyphs can also be found on a short uplands hike to the west of field camp.

Accessibility Information

This video provides families, visitors, and interested parties with an opportunity to check out PVFC to decide if it is a good fit for your group's various needs.

CFI welcomes all individuals to PVFC, and as an organization, we aim to provide our audiences with the avenues of knowledge needed to support the development of familiarity and comfortability to prepare for a meaningful experience.

Join us on a virtual walk through of Professor Valley Field Camp.

Camp Kitchen

CFI's camp kitchen has the cookware, silverware, and dishes necessary to feed 60. There are large stainless steel sinks that provide potable water and create space for washing dishes. There is a grill, flat-top griddle, multiple burner stoves, and a collection of picnic tables for eating. One picnic table has an overhang with space for a wheelchair. 

Tipis

Inside Tipi PVFC concrete padLakota style Tipis with cots provide most of the housing at PVFC. We have two sizes: 5 person and 3 person. There are two accessible Tipis set up over concrete pads attached to a wheelchair friendly path. The rest are set up over gravel pads and require a step to enter and leave.

Classroom Yurt

wooden bridge to classroom yurt pvcPVFC has a climate controlled classroom yurt. This is a canvas structure that serves as an indoor gathering space in the event of bad weather. The door is can be reached by a wooden ramp that attaches to our accessible trail network.

Trail Systems

gravel pathways between tipi pvfc

There are designated ADA facility signs around select PVFC locations. Certain sections of our field camp trails have been upgraded to ADA compliant. These two designated segments of trail are from the accessible parking pad to the Outdoor Classroom Deck, as well as to Professor Creek. The inclined trail is surveyed at 400 linear feet by 4 feet wide. Trail materials include road base gravel purchased locally topped by a specialized limestone chip aggregate. Certain weather conditions (predominantly rain and on rare occasion snow) may adversely impact trail conditions on a short-term basis.

Campfire Gathering Space

pvfc fire pit campfire area

PVFC has a large campfire gathering space. In addition to ground seating, there are large flat logs that serve as benches.

CFI always respects BLM fire restrictions when in effect.

Bathrooms

pvfc bathrooms

There are two wheelchair accessible restrooms on the south end of the field camp near the accessible parking pad, Coyote’s Corner and Classroom yurts. The all-gender restrooms have bathroom safety rails, flush toilets, sinks, and have space heaters for the cooler seasonal months. Professor Valley Field camp however, does not have any showers on the property.

Additionally, there is also a bio-filtration toilet that safely processes waste without much water.

Parking Areas

Accessible parking space pvfc 2

The main lot (mixed with dirt and gravel components) on the north end, marks the entry of Professor Valley Field Camp. This parking space accommodates the majority of regular and large vehicles (including school buses and vans). If you continue on the dirt roadway to the south end of the field camp, there is one accessible parking pad behind the storage barn. 

Who uses PVFC?

From reunions to schools, retreats to workshops, PVFC is a versatile and accommodating space for many groups. We love working with different types of groups to provide effective programming for all populations. Some of the groups we have worked with in the past have been:

AdventureVet: an adventurous weekend to deliver life saving holistic wellness programs specifically developed to assist wounded and amputee combat veterans. 

National Ability Center: a retreat to empower individuals of all abilities by building self-esteem, confidence and lifetime skills through sport, recreation and educational programs.

Desert Mountain Medicine: Overnight wilderness first responder certification courses.

Pride Campout: A campout celebration of Moab's LGBTQ+ Community

Moab Valley Multicultural Center: part of a summer camp to get MVMC kids outside around Moab. 

And many more!

How to get to PVFC

Professor Valley Field Camp is accessible via State Highway 128

By Vehicle:

The most direct and accessible way to get to Professor Valley Field Camp is via State Highway 128 (what the locals call River Road). You will be looking for mile marker 19. Once you drive slightly by the mile marker, you will be looking for a dirt road on the right with a small Professor Valley Field Camp sign. This can be challenging to see (or identify), especially at dusk or evening hours. This turn is marked with a CFI sign.

Dirt Road Conditions:

This dirt road is a non-curvy and non-narrow county road on BLM land, and can accommodate 2wd vehicles, vans, and buses. CFI works to upkeep the road, but parts can be uneven and bumpy depending on the weather. Part of the dirt road crosses a wash, and during heavy rain can get flooded (but this is rare). You will drive a little under half a mile, and will come across another PVFC Private Property sign. Take a slight right and head into the marked parking area.

Public Transportation:

Given its rural nature, Moab doesn’t have any public transportation or taxi transport. There are shuttle providers who will transport you to and from the Canyonlands Field Airport, Grand Junction Airport, or the Green River Amtrak. 

How long is the trip?

  • Price, UT: 2 hrs 7 minutes
  • Salt Lake City, UT: 4 hrs 7 minutes
  • Grand Junction, CO: 1 hr 26 minutes
  • Denver, CO: 7 hrs 20 minutes
  • Phoenix, AZ: 7 hrs 56 minutes
  • Flagstaff, AZ: 5 hrs 54 minutes
  • Albuquerque, NM: 6 hrs 30 minutes
  • Santa Fe, NM: 6 hrs 55 minutes

Emergency Information

Utilities:

The site has above ground power lines that provide electricity. Potable water for bathroom and food prep use is trucked in and stored in a cistern. Additionally, there is a septic system for waste. 

Cell Phone Coverage & Wifi:

There is limited cell service and no wifi at Professor Valley Field Camp. All school and youth programs with CFI are unplugged, as students are not permitted to bring electronic devices. For adult chaperones and private group trips, the use of devices is permitted but discouraged. 

Coronavirus

Up to date information of regional Covid-19 cases can be found at the Southeast Utah Health Department Website.

Moab Regional Hospital

  • 33 minutes away (22.2 miles)
  • 450 Williams Way, Moab, UT 84532
  • Phone: (435)719-3500
  • Emergency Room: Open 24 Hours
La Salle PVFC 2017-104
Sitting around the campfire
Picnic dinner
Elizabeth Academy PVFC-146
Playing by the creek