Danger Cave State Park
Personal Notes
This page presents our personal notes on our visit to the Danger Cave State Park in Utah.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
As part of this year's Archaeology Week, we were able to take a tour of both Danger and Jukebox Caves, guided by former and current State archaeologists. There was about 30 people on the tour, and we were allowed down inside of each cave for a period of time. The archaeologists explained the history of each cave and many of the techniques used to determine the history of the caves. The guides were very informative and patient with our many questions, which they had no doubt heard hundreds of times before. They let us poke around some, take photos, and get our fill of these ancient habitats.
We also got to get a good look at the rock art inside of Jukebox cave. It appears to be of more historical origin, but is still interesting.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Danger Cave
On the way back toward Interstate 80 we came upon a paved road that headed west, directly toward where we expected Danger Cave to be. If you are coming in from the south, off of Interstate 80, take Exit 4. Drive about a half a mile north, or just past the Shell gas station (which will be on the right, or east side of the road). Watch for a paved road on the left (west) side of the road. It will be the first road you encounter heading in that direction. Drive west a couple of miles until the pavement ends, then continue on toward the line of cliffs in front of you. Eventually the dirt road comes to a T. Stay to the left and in a short distance you’ll come to a large pull out on the right side of the road. Up above the road you’ll see Danger Cave.
The cave is an archaeology site that has been excavated on and off since 1949. It contained artifacts from as far back as 11,000 years ago, showing that archaic culture peoples lived in this area when there was still water in Lake Bonneville. The site and two other nearby caves, and much of the land around the caves, was set aside as a Utah State Park, but there has been no funding and so there are no facilities, signs, or rangers present. Because of vandalism, dedicated groups have built strong steel fences across the openings.
Even so, the opening to Danger Cave is large enough that it lets in enough light so that you can peer inside and see the excavation work that has gone on. If you are into archeology this is a worthwhile site to visit. But as far as sightseeing goes, this location is probably not worth the effort that it takes to get here. There are more interesting and esthetically pleasing locations nearby.
