Planning Your Trip to HDTS: Epicenter

HDTS: Epicenter launches in just one month!

We’re thrilled to share our general event itinerary with you, so you can begin to plan for your trip!  Here’s the basic rundown on how HDTS: Epicenter will work:

HDTS: Epicenter will take place over the long weekend of October 9–12, 2015 (“Columbus Day”/”Indigenous People’s Day” weekend), in several sites in and around Green River, Utah.  Epicenter, located in the heart of Green River, will be your HDTS: Epicenter HQ–where you can pick up driving maps, catalogues, and meet friendly HDTS: Epicenter correspondents.  The sprawling network of project sites and suggested points of interest will all be located within 65 miles from Epicenter in Green River.

This is an incredibly diverse and scenic landscape, and there will be a lot to see–more than you might realistically be able to check out, so you may have to pick and choose in some instances.  Some projects will be on view throughout the entire long weekend, while others will have scheduled hours (stay tuned for full schedule of events and driving map).  A few projects will have limited capacity, and will require advanced RSVP (listed below).  All programs are free and open to the public.

Below is a preliminary event itinerary to help you plan your trip.  Our full driving map, projects, and schedule of events will be released at the beginning of Octoberjoin the HDTS mailing list to make sure you don’t miss any important updates! More information on HDTS: Epicenter, including a list of participating artists.

Friday, October 9, 2015
Various projects and scheduled programming 9 am – 5 pm
Nighttime program: Welcome! (Green River)

Saturday, October 10, 2015
Various projects and scheduled programming 9 am – 5 pm
Nighttime program option 1: party program (secret site near Green River, location TBA)
Nighttime program option 2: Cabin-Time: Sleepout (overnight campout program located an hour’s drive south of Green River – EVENT FULL, email to be placed on waiting list

Sunday, October 11, 2015
Various projects and scheduled programming 9 am – 5 pm

Monday, October 12, 2015
Various projects and scheduled programming 9 am – 12 noon
Farewell!

Where to Stay

The Green River area has plentiful camping and motel options.  Here are a few suggested spots.  Visit Destination Green River! for more.

Robber’s Roost Motel – affordable rooms in Green River, near Epicenter
River Terrace – hotel right along the river
Holiday Inn Express – comfortable accommodations in Green River
Swasey’s Beach – beautiful BLM campsites along the river with some vault toilets (fee of around $10 a night for each campsite), as well as plenty of undeveloped BLM land available for dispersed camping.  (Follow BLM camping policy for dispersed camping on undeveloped BLM land/BLM land without designated campsites.)
Crystal Geyser – free primitive camping (no facilities)
Green River State Park – campsites in the middle of town, with RV hookups and amenities
Goblin Valley State Park – well-appointed campsites in picturesque, otherworldly red rocks (about 1 hour’s drive south of Green River)

How to Get There

Green River is located in southeastern Utah, and is easily accessible by car or rail (though once you are in Green River, a car will be necessary to travel to and from HDTS: Epicenter project sites).  There are lots of ways to get there, with many interesting sights to see along the way.  Here are just a few ways to get to Epicenter:

By car:

From Joshua Tree
Quickest Route: I-15 N to I-70 E (600 miles, goes through/near the Mojave, Zion)
Scenic Route:  I-15 N to US 20 E to US 89 S to US 12 E to US 24 E to I-70 E (650 miles, goes through/near the Mojave, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Grand Escalante, Goblin Valley)

From Los Angeles
Quickest Route: I-15 N to I-70 E (675 miles, goes through/near the Mojave, Zion)
Scenic Route: I-15 N to US 20 E to US 89 S to US 12 E to US 24 E to I-70 E (700 miles, goes through/near the Mojave, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Grand Escalante, Goblin Valley)

From Salt Lake City
I-15 S to US 6 E / US 191 S to I-70 E (180 miles, goes through Price Canyon)

From Denver
I-70 W (345 miles, goes through the Rockies)

From Phoenix
Quickest Route: I-17 N to US-89 N to US-160 E to 191-N to I-70 W (520 miles: goes through/near Canyonlands, Arches)
Alternate Route: I-17 N to US-89 N to US-163 N to US-261-N to US-95 N to US-24 E to I-70 E (535 miles: goes through/near Natural Bridges, Lake Powell)

By rail:  The Amtrak: Green River station is conveniently located right across from the Epicenter, and is served by the California Zephyr train.

By plane:  The closest airport is the Grand Junction Regional Airport in Grand Junction, Colorado, 100 miles east of Green River along I-70, though flight options are limited.  Salt Lake City International Airport is the nearest international airport (180 miles away by car), with many flights coming in and out.

Looking for a ride or have one to offer?  Let fellow HDTS: Epicenter travelers know!