On-site Tour of the 250-family Riverbed Ranch modern homesteading community

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION (twice we’ve had people drive around for 5 hours before finding us, because, they didn’t follow the directions. Don’t be that guy).

The Academy of Self-Reliance staff will be giving a tour of the Utah OSR Land Co-op’s 1,245-acre Riverbed Ranch property, where we are building a 250-family self-reliance community and where our 80+ shareholders are already constructing wells, homes, and barns!

• Guided tour starts at about 11am.
• Bring a water bottle & sack lunch (and snacks, if you’re bringing children).
• Drinking water, restroom and limited cell service available.
• Plan for 2 hours each way if coming from Utah County*.
• Unless you have off-road tires, we’d recommend you only drive 40mph on the gravel roads. Probably be wise to make sure your spare tire is good, and you have a jack and lug wrench — just in case!

IMPORTANT: RSVP by registering for a free ticket so we know with whom to coordinate a caravan and/or carpool. First-timers would be wise to do so — you CAN get lost.

• If you live in American Fork or further North, meet each other at the Walmart in Saratoga Springs at 8:45am, in the Southwest corner of the parking lot (next to Chase bank). Put a sheet of paper with “OSR” printed large & bold in your front dash so you can recognize each other. Then whoever has google maps can take the lead, but don’t go over 40mph unless everyone has off-road tires.
• If you live South of American Fork, meet at 8:30 at the parking lot just north of the McDonald’s in Payson, just off I-15. Jesse will be there in his red crossover parked right next to the entrance. After registering, please text Jesse so he knows to expect you.
• If you’re relying on Google maps on your phone (and not GPS in your car), be sure not to leave the Google maps app, you may not be able to get back to the directions).
• Please register. If you don’t, the tour guide (Jesse) will be tempted to stay home and clean out his garage.

* SUPER IMPORTANT:

If you’re driving out by yourself, follow these directions (or, you may get lost):

If coming from Northern Utah County or points north of that:

Use Google Maps and search for “Utah OSR”. if you don’t have extra-strength tires, you might consider going to Dugway first, it’s paved all the way there. Takes a little longer, but it’s a much better road. Then turn directly South just past the LDS Church. That road will take you to the Pony Express Trail road where you turn right/West. Then you’ll turn left/South where the sign says, “Little Sahara” and go 7 miles to our 12′ tall green gate on the left.

If coming via Southern Utah County:

Before leaving home, use Google maps to search for “Utah OSR” and follow the directions. Unless you’re an Adrenalin junky, best to slow down on the curves. Oh, and watch out for sheep, cattle, and antelope.

If you don’t have a smartphone to take with you, note that the roads out that way have big metal sticks with printed numbers on them stuck in the ground near forks in the road with little arrowheads pointing the way — each number represents a specific road. When you come to a fork, you should look for and follow #7. For example, not long after you leave the asphalt road, you’ll come to a fork. Over on the left side of the road, just before the fork, you’ll see one of those sticks. Among other numbers, it’ll have a 7 with a small arrowhead pointing left. Go left.

If you keep following the sticks, as you approach Keg Mountain you will eventually turn North off the main road (“Weiss highway”) and, in about 10 or 11 miles, arrive at the Riverbed Ranch. If you follow Google maps, it will have you turn North sooner and shave off 5 or `10 minutes, but the road is much rougher, so you may want to keep going and let Google direct you to the next turn.

Seriously, watch out for sheep, cattle, and antelope. Also, slow down when you approach an axle-cracking sand pit.

Preparation for the Tour

If you haven’t already, please watch at least the 1st intro video about “Operation Self-Reliance” so what we’re doing at the Riverbed Ranch will make more sense.

Joining the Utah OSR Land Co-op

If you absolutely LOVE what you see (and your spouse does too), then after 2pm at the Riverbed Ranch, you can visit with our director, Philip Gleason. He’ll review the membership agreement with you, answer any last questions, and receive your shareholder fee (if you’re really that anxious to join).

COVID-19 Policy:

– Social distancing is the responsibility of every participant. Good idea to bring masks and gloves, if you are concerned.

– Bring a vehicle that won’t bottom-out on rougher terrain (crossovers, trucks, SUVs), OR, ride with others on the tour, in which case, you may want to bring masks and gloves.