John Wesley Powell River History Museum
John Wesley Powell River History Museum
4.5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Situated on the banks of the Green River, the John Wesley Powell River History Museum is the premier site for exploring history of the Colorado Plateau as shaped by rivers and river runners.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
204 reviews
Excellent
112
Very good
78
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
0
CATTSAR
Provincetown, MA22,625 contributions
Nov 2020
Almost every town I visit anywhere has its own museum. They are an incredible way to quickly learn about the town and the local history and culture. This was no exception! The museum was right across the street from the hotel and I had some time to kill. The museum is not that large but gives a comprehensive history of the area. Favorite aspects that I appreciate in these local museums is that they educate about where the names of things in the area come from. Names like Powell take on a new historical significance and the understanding of the geological evolution take on new depth. Including the outside panels it took just over an hour to go through. There is also a nice gift shop that is worth spending a little time in. The fee is nominal just $6.Â
Written December 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Birmingham_ALKaren
Birmingham, AL61 contributions
May 2023
This quiet & cool oasis of a museum is great if you are interested in local history & river exploration. Be sure to watch the film in the auditorium. The film seemed to pull it all the details together & put everything in context & is very well done. It might be best to watch the film first then look at the exhibits. John Wesley Powell was a unique & remarkable person. This museum is well worth a couple of hours if you can schedule it.
Written June 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas A
Folsom, CA7 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Weeks ago I attempted to contact the museum per their website listed email link. Since their website still shows "winter hours" and being closed on Sunday, I wanted to find out if they would be open on Sundays during spring and summer months. No reply to a very simple request for information. Not impressed and will not be visiting.
Written April 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara T
Ellicott City, MD1,007 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
This museum had a very thorough history of the rivers in the area. Incredible, what the explorers went through to get here. They even had the boats they used. Plus in the basement is a dinosaur exhibit. It’s a lot of reading to get through the museum but well worth it. They have a nice gift shop.
Written June 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunnysideDon
Yakima, WA238 contributions
Jun 2022
This is a very nice museum in a nice small town. Be sure to check out all the exhibits inside and outside the museum. And check out the Green River as it flows by as well.
When we went there the gift shop was closed so we couldn't check that out but they let us in for free so that was a good deal. There were lots of interesting displays on both historical points of interest as well as a history of boating on the Green River which were all interesting.
Well worth a stop.
When we went there the gift shop was closed so we couldn't check that out but they let us in for free so that was a good deal. There were lots of interesting displays on both historical points of interest as well as a history of boating on the Green River which were all interesting.
Well worth a stop.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John J
Palm Springs, CA46 contributions
Nov 2021
My river running days are long past, but this was an interesting 2 hour stop on one of my frequent mad-dash drives cross country. Having spent one summer working on the Colorado River doing Grand Canyon trips, and having read several books on the subject, I was well aware of Powell's early explorations. But to see some of the physical objects used was quite inspiring - long before modern equipment.
Written December 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingDeacon
Dothan, AL739 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Great local museum - better than your average local museum. Definitely worth the stop. Possibly one of the best souvenir shops in the area - and very good prices. Don’t miss the view of the BookCliffs from the deck overlooking the River.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica D
Salt Lake City, UT342 contributions
Nov 2022
I have been wanting to stop here for a while and finally got a chance! Be sure to enjoy the video before experiencing the museum. A good selection of history and artifacts, and a lovely small river walk to round out the experience. Well worth a stop if you are in the area.
Written December 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia S
Las Vegas, NV81 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Nice museum. Excellent intro film and gift shop. Nice displays. A good place to spend 30 minutes or a few hours based on your interest in history.
Written April 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rita B
2,914 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
The museum is located right on the river - so the experience starts before you even go inside. The bas relief on the outside of the building shows the explorer's boat going down the river and the mesas and cliff to the side. It will stop you in your tracks. Go just a bit farther and you will be in a large patio with views of the river. This is a great spot to rest on a hot day - there are lots of benches and the river is so peaceful. And, there are about 23 informative panels about history and geology. You can learn about the outlaws that lived in this area, the explorers and the ghost towns. The information about the river and the San Rafael Swell will encourage you to visit Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef and Canyon Lands.
The museum costs about $6 and is well worth it - you will learn more about the melon growing in the area as well as the river history. You can also check out the River Runner's Hall of Fame.
The gift shop is free (as is the patio) and is one of the nicer museum gift shops I have been to. You can get books - history, geology, river lore, children's books as well as art objects, toys, cards, dinosaur memorabilia. Sometimes, when I am driving through Green River and don't have time for the museum - I stop at the patio for a rest and do a little gift shop browsing.
The museum costs about $6 and is well worth it - you will learn more about the melon growing in the area as well as the river history. You can also check out the River Runner's Hall of Fame.
The gift shop is free (as is the patio) and is one of the nicer museum gift shops I have been to. You can get books - history, geology, river lore, children's books as well as art objects, toys, cards, dinosaur memorabilia. Sometimes, when I am driving through Green River and don't have time for the museum - I stop at the patio for a rest and do a little gift shop browsing.
Written March 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
triteri
Loveland, Colorado
I have written a 2,000 word picture book for 8 - 12 year olds. Before I submit it to a publisher i need an expert on John Wesley Powell to review the manuscript and write a critique. Do you know of someone who is capable and willing to read my work?
cell) 970-216-1895
Written November 1, 2016
Scott H is certainly giving you a good start. Also see if you can contact any other authors on Mr Powell who are still extant and get their suggestions. You need the opinion/reviews of people who have written about his life and times to take a look. Any family who have knowledge would also be useful. Good luck on a worthy adventure.
Written November 2, 2016
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