Range Creek Archaeology
A special chance to base camp in this remote canyon.
Hidden deep within the Western Bookcliffs of southeastern Utah, Range Creek Canyon is managed for prehistoric Fremont Culture research by the Utah Museum of Natural History.
From CFI’s base camp at the locked access gate, we spend several days exploring the canyon, not only learning about prehistoric peoples but exceptional geological features and wildlife that frequent this rugged country.
A Unique Archaeological Experience
Until recently, this private land was inaccessible to exploration. Range Creek Canyon is now managed by the University of Utah Museum of Natural History (UMNH.) With one of the only three operating permits available, CFI offers an in-depth guided trip into this beautiful, remote area. Additionally, this trip features an introductory session and behind the scenes tour with the Director of the USU Prehistoric Museum.
Learn, Relax, Explore
Our combination of naturalist guides, guest experts, and truck supported camping offers the perfect combination of amenities and education. From a comfortable base camp, we drive and walk to various sections of the canyon featuring prehistoric and historic sites. CFI guides will give an overview of the canyon geologic and economic history, as well as local fauna and flora. During the trip guides handle logistics, camp support and prepare hearty, fresh meals. Our evenings are spent on short walks from camp and discussing the day’s findings. CFI’s combination of guest experts, local connections and experienced leadership ensures that your time spent exploring Range Creek Canyon will be informative and memorable.
Read the trip narrative and learn more about our guest faculty, Jamie Hollingsworth, below!
"The wonderful staff helped make our dream come true. We have wanted to see Range Creek for a long time, and it finally happened! Jamie was an incredible guide/ archeologist! The guides took such good care of us. They truly care about their clients and go above and beyond to make sure we are happy."
- Max and Melanie, Oregon
Western Book Cliffs near Price, Utah
August 23, 2023 through August 25, 2022
Minimum: 6, Maximum: 9
Adult and youth16 yrs of age and older
$900 person; $855 CFI members
Vehicle Supported Base Camp, Tent camping, Latrine
- A $300 deposit is required to reserve your spot.
- Fee includes all meals starting from dinner day 1 through lunch day 3.
- Fee includes entrance fees to the Prehistoric Museum and to Range Creek special management area.
- Fee includes a $100 donation to youth programs.
- Bring your own sleeping gear or rent quality sleeping bag, thick pads, cot, or a tent from CFI
All participants on our adult seminars and on our private trips are required to be fully vaccinated.
Guest Faculty
Attendees on this seminar will be led by archaeologist and educator, Ms. Jamie Hollingsworth. Jamie has sixteen years of experience in cultural resource practices on the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. Her graduate studies and later work at the University of Utah included assisting with research and field school in Range Creek. Jamie has worked for the consulting firm, PaeloWest as an archaeology Project Manager and served as Program Archaeologist for Project Discovery for a number of years. Project Discovery is an outreach program serving high school students and an annual large-scale inter-agency public event, Stewardship Day in Nine Mile Canyon, Western Book Cliffs. Ms. Hollingsworth is a registered member of the Navajo Nation and of Dine’, Irish, English and Norwegian descent.
Corrinne Springer, M.S. Anthropology and Range Creek Field Station Manager, has lived seasonally at the old Wilcox Ranch headquarters for many years. Corrinne will meet with our group to share settler and ranching history as well as to describe how Range Creek came to public attention in recent years, launched ongoing research and annual summer field schools.
Dr. Tim Riley, Director of the Utah State University Prehistoric Museum, will provide a special tour for our seminar. In his role as director, he hopes to continue to grow the museum as a community center, tourism hub, and top-notch research institute. Tim was trained as an archaeologist, paleoethnobotanist, and palynologist under Vaughn M. Bryant. His primary research interests focus on how past human populations use the plant communities of the Colorado Plateau for food, medicine, and materials. Dr. Riley was raised in Michigan before leaving to get his BA in Anthropology from the University of Chicago. Following a several year stint as a “shovelbum”, or archaeologist working on construction projects, he attended Texas A&M University to earn his PhD. He lives in Helper with his family, many musical instruments, and pets.
Trip Narrative
A major tributary to the Green River, Range Creek Canyon cuts through the West Tavaputs Plateau in the Book Cliffs north of Highway 6/I 70 and has limited access due to rough and seasonally open roads and locked gates. It came to public attention with the sale of private land by the late Waldo Wilcox to the State of Utah and the disclosure of extensive prehistoric Fremont Culture sites. Range Creek is now protected and visitation is by permit; it is primarily managed for research by the Utah Museum of Natural History and field schools by University of Utah
Day 1
We will meet in Price, Utah at the Prehistoric Museum at 1:30 pm the first day for a short orientation and to see material culture from the Range Creek area. After exploring the museum, we will load into CFI vehicles to drive the steep, rugged road up Horse Canyon and over a 8500′ foot pass into Little Horse Canyon and Range Creek.
Outside the North Gate that limits public access, we set up a comfortable base camp. This will be our home for the next few days as we venture into the wilderness. We will take some time to orient ourselves to the new place through reflection, storytelling, and reading from our rich trip library.
Day 2
Over the next few days, we will visit several rock imagery panels and a Fremont pit house village close up. We will view other structures and panels at some distance with binoculars and spotting scopes. We will also visit the Wilcox Ranch homestead which now serves as Field Station for summer field schools sponsored by the University of Utah and other academic institutions. There, our exact itinerary may vary due to current conditions and group interest. We will be in and out of vehicles often, with most sites located near the dirt road. Walking is mostly on level ground with several sites requiring walking up a short primitive hillside trail. There may be one optional hike up to a mile one way that would takes us through a brushy area and requires a shallow (inches) creek crossing. On our walks take an easy pace (about 45 min/mile) to accommodate all abilities and take note of things along the way. (Visit the U Of Utah Range Creek webpage for more information on the diverse research projects in Range Creek and recent academic publications.)
Day 3
On the last morning, we will visit sites in the upper canyon, offering an optional 1 mile round trip hike, and recap major themes. We will pack up our camp and depart from Range Creek after lunch and plan on arriving in Price around 4:oopm If you are traveling with the CFI crew, you will return to Moab around 6:00 p.m.
With a small group size, this trip is ideal for creating a strong sense of place in a historic area.
Need to Know
Participants bring their own tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads or cots or may rent from CFI (CFI has quality two door dome style tents, sleeping bags with sheets or liners, cots and and thick "Paco" pads that help you get a good night's sleep.) CFI will set up a comfortable camp kitchen, provide camp chairs and provide dining shelter if needed. UMNH provides latrines at the campsite and several locations along our driving route.
- CFI staff are trained educators and guides with first aid and CPR certifications. Back-country trips carry satellite communications devices.
- All cook and dishware, meals, snacks, and river gear are provided by CFI.
FAQ
Some people say food is the most important part of the adventure. On all our overnight trips, CFI will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a morning and afternoon snack, and an appetizer before dinner. If you have a dietary restriction or food allergy, note it on your medical form so we can best prepare.
Depends on the trip. As a general rule, CFI provides all group gear related to fully outfitting your trip. Specialized gear like PFDs, wetsuits, dry bags, educational materials are all provided by CFI. Additionally, we take care of all kitchen and dishware needs.
Most importantly, a willingness to slow down, connect to your surroundings, and experience the moment. Additionally, participants are required to bring a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, personal clothing, medication, and other essential personal items. Many gear items are available for rent. Reach out to us if you are interested in seeing a trip specific packing list, or learn more about trip specific packing here.
CFI provides options to rent gear:
- Two person tent: $30 / trip
- Sleeping bag: $20 / trip
- Kid sleeping pad: $7 / trip
- Adult sleeping pad (paco pad): $15 / trip
- Package deal: Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and one tent per two people: $40 / trip
For any CFI summer camp, gear rentals are free!
Every CFI guide has either a Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification. Your trip leader will have a Wilderness First Responder certification. Anyone working with youth has passed a background check, and shuttle drivers are insured with clean driving records. Backcountry trips carry In-Reach satellite communication devices for emergencies. All guides have been evaluated by Canyonlands Field Institute as possessing the judgement, skills, and disposition required for mitigating risk in the field.
As technology grows more and more invasive by the day, CFI promotes connection to what matters. To achieve this, all school and youth programs are unplugged and students are not permitted to bring electronic devices. Not only is there rarely cell service, devices are a distraction to our ability to connect to the present moment. On Private Group Trips or Adult Seminars, the use of devices is permitted but discouraged.
CFI works hard to ensure a positive experience for all guides and participants. Because of the unpredictable nature of outfitting, we have created a series of policies so maintain our ability to manage risk in the outdoors.
For critical information regarding cancellations, deposits, and other participant responsibilities, please view our trip policies page or contact us with any questions.
Thanks for asking...We know this can be an awkward subject. The fact is, our guides work extremely hard and appreciate getting tipped!
On school trips tips are greatly appreciated.
On an adult or private trip, an industry standard is for each customer to tip $25 per day.
If you wish to include a gratuity, cash is preferred, but sending a check or a payment to CFI's Venmo: @canyonlandsfieldinstitute is also a great way to thank your guides for their hard work. Tips are always pooled and distributed.
CFI is a non-profit organization and fees are not taxed. By choosing CFI, you are supporting our efforts to provide lifechanging outdoor experiences for hundreds of children per year. Scholarships are available on an as needed basis.