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Skinwalker Ranch may be the most paranormally active location in the United States, if not the world. Outside of Area 51, it may also be the most restricted. The ranch isn’t open to the public, nor does it offer tours, as it explicitly states on its website. Yet it’s equally clear that people very much want to visit Skinwalker Ranch.
In 2022, it was Google Trends’ most searched Google Maps top cultural landmark. That’s definitely one way to scout it out. Another is to become a Skinwalker Ranch Insider, a fan membership that, among other things, gives you access to exclusive content, live Q&As, and ranch webcams. (It’s not as good as going there, but you get to watch the ranch from a perspective others don’t.)
But perhaps the most well-known way to visit Skinwalker Ranch is by watching the popular History Channel show. The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch season 3 recently started streaming on Hulu and discovery+ for those who don’t have access to the History Channel. (Or who want to watch episodes again and also subscribe to those streamers.) There’s no word yet on a season 4 release date yet, but there are a lot of rumors it’ll likely be in May again.
So what’s a fan to do between seasons? There is one other way you can get very close to Skinwalker Ranch: the UFO Valley Campground & UTV Tours. Let’s check it out.
About the UFO Valley Campground & UTV Tours
I learned about the campground from Switch It Up’s YouTube channel. (The video of their experience is embedded below.) As the UFO Valley Campground states on its website, it’s “the closest you can legally get” to Skinwalker Ranch. (Refer to the Google Map screenshot above to see just how close.)
The campground offers both RV and tent “dry camping,” meaning there isn’t any water on the sites. Each type costs $40.
They also offer a couple of different tours, both of which have a “Bring Your Own Vehicle” option. But for those who don’t have their own ATV or UTV, don’t worry. They provide them.
Circle of Life Tour
This four-mile roundtrip narrated tour “at the ‘Circle of Life’ as seen on HISTORY Channel” tells you the basic history of the area and takes about two hours. In addition, you get a peek at certain parts of the ranch, including:
- A birds-eye view of the allegedly haunted homesteads
- Panoramic views of the Bigelow era bait-pens
- Elevated views of the ranch from several viewing spots
- 360-degree views of the fabled mesa.
Cost: $150
Guided Mesa Tour
This tour is a little shorter, both in distance (3.1 miles vs. 4) and time (90 minutes vs. 120 minutes), but it’s still narrated and includes pretty much the same stops as the other tour, minus the “Circle of Life” area.
Cost: $100
Switch It Up Visits Skinwalker Ranch Via UFO Valley Campground
For More Info
The UFO Valley Campground & UTV Tours is located in Fort Duchesne, Utah. To make a reservation for a campsite or tour, visit https://www.ufovalleycampground.com.
Check-In
Which tour would you take to visit Skinwalker Ranch? (As long as you have the money to afford it, both is also an option!)
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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A four-hour tour is a long tour. I think I’d rather do the 90-120 minute tour because I’m sure there’s a lot to take in, and I’d want to feel alert the whole time.
Uh oh. I think I miswrote something. The Circle of Life tour is 2 hours long. But still…I totally appreciate your point. (Especially the ADD in me who has trouble staying focused for more than 30 minutes at a time. lol)