News Release

Pipe Spring Pioneer Sleepover Under the Stars

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News Release Date: July 26, 2019
Contact: Patrick Driscoll, 928-643-7105

Travel back in time to the 1870’s and join a group of travelling pioneers camping under the stars at Pipe Spring for the night. Guests will check in at the visitor center front desk at 5:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time and wait at the back patio area of the visitor center to receive instructions and set up their sleeping gear near the chuck wagons on the monument grounds. The agenda includes self-guided activities like a “cattle round up” and 19th century games, conducting a night tour of the fort by lantern, joining a full moon hike on the ridge trail to learn about how the Southern Paiutes viewed the moon, and consuming the all-important evening meal cooked in Dutch ovens. The evening winds down with live cowboy music and campfire treats before everyone heads to their bedrolls to spend the night under the stars. In the morning everyone will rise bright and early for a meal of Johnny Cakes and coffee to continue on their journey before the monument opens.

This first sleepover event for Pipe Spring National Monument begins Thursday, August 15th, with subsequent events planned for future dates based on visitor reception of this pilot program. This immersive Family Sleepover experience includes period costuming, equipment, and activities. Participants sign on to experience the night sky of the Arizona Strip like travelers and native inhabitants did 150 years ago, but unlike these historical figures, guests will depart by 8:00 a.m. having left no evidence of their overnight stay. 

There will only be 10 open slots for the sleep over with registration being first-come, first-serve by calling in or signing in on the reservation list kept at the visitor center front desk. A $20 special event fee applies to each participant and includes entrance to the monument, dinner, breakfast, and all activities to be paid on arrival the day of. To learn more about this unique opportunity, call 928-643-7105. Pipe Spring National Monument is approximately 21 miles from Kanab, Utah, and 60 miles from St. George, Utah – just off of Arizona Hwy. 389 between the two communities.

Tags: pioneer life, under the stars, night sky, sleepover, living history

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