Field Trips
Field trip sign-ups begin Friday, April 4th Green River High School.
The festival continues Saturday and Sunday at The John Wesley Powell River History Museum
Temple Mountain
Join us on an exciting trip to Temple Mountain, where we'll embark on a geological adventure spanning a remarkable period in Earth’s history.
Rivers, Beaches, and Sand Dunes: What Do They Look Like When They Turn to Rock?
We all enjoy floating on a river or enjoying the crashing of waves on a beach, but how do geologists recognize them in the rock record? Explore the ancient sedimentary environments and the processes that formed them millions of years ago.
Geology Field Trips
Geological Glory of The San Rafael Swell
The San Rafael Swell is a showcase of Colorado Plateau geology, this large, anticlinal feature formed 65 to 45 million years ago.
Agates to Uranium
The Yellowcat district is a historic uranium mining area, also well-known by rockhounds. Along the way, we will stop at an overlook with stunning views of the subvolcanic La Sal Mountains, the Book Cliffs, and the Uncompahgre Plateau. At Yellowcat, we will look at ruins of uranium mining. Finally, we will rockhound for agates and barite balls.
Crystal Geyser:
A Geological Oddity
Crystal Geyser is located along the Green River about 3 miles south of town. Unlike the more familiar geysers, Crystal Geyser is human-made and flows cold water.
Ocean-Front Property: Giant Clams of the Mancos Shale
Join Dr. Joshua Lively for a tour of the Cretaceous Mancos Shale and a look at the life inhabiting this ancient sea, including ammonites and giant clams!
Jurassic National Monument: Cleveland-Lloyd Dino Quarry
The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry at Jurassic National Monument is one of the world's most impressive collections of dinosaur bones and fossils from the Jurassic Morrison Formation. Over 12,000 bones from at least 70 different prehistoric critters have been excavated here.
Dino Tracks in Microbial Mats
Join paleontologists Paul Murphey & Dr. Nora Noffke on a trip to elite dinosaur track sites formed in sandy tidal and sabkha deposits, and examine different types of microbial mat-mediated preservation and what fossilized microbial mat reveals about ancient environmental conditions.
John Wesley Powell Museum Dinosaur Tour
Join paleontologist Dr. Jim Kirkland, who worked with the city of Green River to create this exhibit of fascinating dinosaur discoveries from the Cretaceous formations right here in Green River.
Paleontology Field Trips
Fossil Point Dinosaur Bones
Fossil Point, just a short drive from Green River, is an extraordinary fossil locality where boulders yield large dinosaur bones from the Jurassic Era, dating as far back as 145 million years ago.
Photo CC: Greg Willis; Denver, CO
Geology & Paleontology of The San Rafael Swell
People come from near and far to visit "The Swell" for its opportunities for outdoor recreation, but did you know it preserves a deep geologic history?
Dino Tracks: Mill Canyon & Copper Ridge
Join paleontologist ReBecca Hunt-Foster on a tour of the Copper Ridge and Mill Canyon dinosaur track sites located off scenic Highway 191 between Green River and Moab.
Diving into the Cretaceous:
Old Hwy "SR-24"
The abandoned portion of SR-24 leads directly to Green River with extraordinary access to the medial into late Mesozoic stratigraphic section. Dive in to 70 million years of Utah's Mesozoic History.
Rock Art Road Trip: Buckhorn Draw
Spend the day in the extraordinary canyons and ravines of the San Rafael Swell. We’ll drive a 122 mile loop through the Swell, stopping at numerous rock art panels.
Rock Art Road Trip:
Nine Mile Canyon
Nine Mile Canyon, often referred to as "The World’s Longest Art Gallery," is a breathtaking archaeological site in Utah, where thousands of ancient petroglyphs and pictographs,created by the Fremont and Ute cultures, transform the canyon’s cliffs into a vivid canvas of prehistoric history.
Rock Art Field Trips
Sego Canyon
Sego Canyon is a hidden gem that reveals some of the most haunting rock art in the American Southwest, making it a must-see for those interested in Native American heritage and prehistoric art.
Black Dragon Canyon
Black Dragon Wash carves a spectacularly steep canyon through the San Rafael Reef. Among the sheer cliff walls, a mysterious red pictograph panel as well as numerous pecked petroglyphs reveal themselves.
Self Guided: Crystal Geyser
Crystal Geyser is located along the Green River about 3 miles south of town. Unlike the more familiar geysers, Crystal Geyser is human-made and flows cold water.
Self Guided: Black Dragon Canyon
Within deep, sinuous canyons, adorned with ancient rock art panels, lies the Black Dragon Canyon–named for the flying dragon pictograph located on its wall.
Self-Guided Day Trips
Self Guided: Swasey’s Beach
Enjoy spectacular canyon views at Swasey’s Beach just north of Green River. The white sand beach spans a long bend in the river and is shaded by cottonwood trees.
Self Guided: Rockhounding
There are plenty of rockhounding opportunities near town. Once you choose a site, make sure to write down directions before you go, as cell service is spotty. The Utah Geological Survey’s website provides directions, descriptions, and coordinates of some great local sites.
Self Guided: Sego Canyon
Sego Canyon is a great adventure the entire family will enjoy. The canyon contains rock art from three different indigenous cultures as well as structures from an old mining town.
How to Sign Up for Field Trips
We require attendees to sign up for field trips in-person. Why?
Space is limited and we need to know you are present.
We may need to share important trip updates with you.
We need to ensure you have the right vehicle if a trip requires 4WD.
We need you to sign a waiver.
We want to meet you!
When do sign-ups open? And where?
Friday, April 4th from 4:00PM to 5:45PM
* VENUE CHANGE *
Sign up at Green River High SchoolIMPORTANT: Due to anticipated higher attendance, the festival’s opening night lecture begins at 6:00pm at the Auditorium at Green River High School. We’ll be doing Friday night field trip sign-ups there.
Saturday, April 5th from 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Sign up at our information booth outside the John Wesley River History Museum. A busy vendor fair will also be taking place.Sunday, April 6th from 9:00AM to 11:00PM
(Please note that many field trips may be full by this point.)
Sign up at our information booth outside the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. No vendor fair will be occurring.
Am I guaranteed a spot on a field trip?
No. Field trips, particularly those geared towards paleontology, fill up fast. Be prepared to have alternative choices in mind if a trip is full.
If you are passionate about a particular trip, we recommend coming to Friday night sign-ups. Be there by 4:00PM.
Our event partner, the Bureau of Land Management, limits the size of field trips to a maximum of 25 people.
Important Notes
All field trips are half-day to full-day trips. Group size for each trip is approximately 25 people. If there is a trip you are particularly excited about, we recommend coming to the Friday evening lecture to sign up early.
Field trip leaders will meet their group in the museum parking lot, unless otherwise noted. Please be present 15 minutes before the trip departs.
Prepare to caravan to field trip sites in your own vehicle. Many trips involve driving on dirt roads. Vehicle requirements can be found in each trip description.
Pack plenty of water and a sack lunch, and fill your gas tank ahead of time. Wear comfortable clothing and bring sun protection.
If you have any questions call Epicenter staff at 435-564-3330.
Staff at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum will not be able to answer any questions. The Museum does not organize the festival, they are just our gracious hosts!