Junior Explorer

Adventures in

Wilson Butte 

Cave

U.S. Department of the Interior • Bureau of Land Management
BLM Idaho

Twin

Falls

Wilson

Butte

Cave

Snake River

Snake River Plain

Bureau of Land Management

Public Lands
1

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

What Are Public Lands? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Early Life on the Snake River Plain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Activity 1, Draw Detailed Cave Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Activity 2, Find the Healing Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Activity 3, What Am I? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Hunting and the Native Diet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Activity 1, Help the Hunter Hit the Target . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Activity 2, Calculating Food Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Activity 3, Make a Match . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Archaeology in Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Activity 1, Dice Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Activity 2, People in the Future Learning About the Past . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Activity 3, Ascertain the Age of Artifacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

The Role of Geography, Geology, and Climate . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Activity 1, Decipher the Geographic Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Activity 2, Complete the Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Activity 3, Create a Unique Coat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Junior Explorer Pledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Table of Contents
2

Nature is a great place to learn

as long as you know how to be kind and safe.

During your adventure, remember the following tips.

Be Kind to Nature:

If you see a wild animal, stay quiet,

and watch it from a distance.

If you see or have any trash,

pack it out in your backpack.

If possible, pick up trash that you find,

and remove it from the area.

Explore the

Outdoors Safely:

Before setting off on your journey,

bring your water bottle with you.

Your adventure may be hot and dry at certain times of 

the year, and there is no water onsite.

Also, watch your footing, as rocky trails are common

in this area. Lastly, look out for rattlesnakes.

Leave What You Find:

The archaeological remains within the

Wilson Butte Cave can never be replaced.

Once they are taken or damaged, they are gone forever.

Enjoy looking at these treasures, but please be respectful 

and leave everything as you find it for others to enjoy.

If you’re careful now, more Junior Explorers like you can 

see and learn about this cave.

Hello

Junior 

Explorer!

Are you ready for some adventure? 

In this activity book, you will explore 

the Wilson Butte Cave. It is located 

on Idaho’s volcanic Snake River Plain 

near present-day Twin Falls. Early 

people found this cave 10,000 to 

15,000 years ago. They used it as 

a shelter while they hunted. You will 

learn more about what their lives 

were like as you do the activities in 

this book. Today, the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) Shoshone Field 

Office takes care of the cave.

Earn your Junior Explorer certificate by 

visiting Wilson Butte Cave or taking a 

virtual tour on your computer (www.

blm.gov/dtld). Do this on a Saturday 

afternoon with your family or maybe 

on a field trip with your class. Once 

you have completed at least 9 of the 

12 activities, you’re on your way to 

protecting America’s public lands 

and becoming a Junior Explorer for 

Wilson Butte Cave. Then, say the 

pledge at the end of this book. Sign 

the certificate, and bring or mail it to 

the BLM.

If sending the pledge by mail,

send to the following address:

Bureau of Land Management

Idaho State Office

1387 S. Vinnell Way

Boise, ID 83709

Welcome
3

Public lands are set aside for everyone to use! The BLM manages more than 

245 million acres of public land, mostly in the West. Public lands are in many 

types of environments, such as forests, mountains, deserts, grasslands, tundra, 

lakes, and rivers.

Many different activities happen on public lands. Sometimes wild horses live on 

these lands. Sometimes oil and coal come from these lands. Sometimes historical 

landmarks are taken care of on these lands. And often, people enjoy outdoor 

activities on these lands, such as camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, rock 

climbing, and boating.

Since public lands are available for everyone, everyone must use the lands 

responsibly and be good stewards. We all have to work together to take care of 

the land so that future Junior Explorers can enjoy it too.

What Are Public Lands?

S

N

W E

nw

se

ne

sw
4

Early Life on the Snake River Plain

Activity 1, Draw Detailed Cave Life

The Wilson Butte Cave provides some of the earliest proof of human presence in Idaho and North America.

Volcanic rocks formed this domelike cave. The cave sits on ancient lava that flowed millions of years ago. About 

10,000 years ago, native people used the cave as a shelter during bison hunting. The cave served as protection 

from wind, rain, and cold. Use your imagination to draw what you think life was like for these early people of 

what is now Idaho.
5

BISCUITROOT

ELDERBERRY

JUNIPER 

BERRY

BITTERROOT

PLANTAINS

SAGEBRUSH

SALTBUSH

SERVICEBERRY

CHOKECHERRY

CAMAS

GOOSEFOOT

Did You Know?

The goosefoot plant is high in Vitamin C

just like orange juice.

It was used to treat stomach aches.

CURRANT

PINON

YAMPA

PIGWEED

G

O

O

S

E

F

O

O

T

O

V

Y

E

N

S

Y

R

R

E

H

C

E

K

O

H

C

B

B

N

N

A

E

C

S

T

D

R

G

U

E

R

D

H

Q

Z

N

A

X

P

I

G

W

E

E

D

R

U

L

O

N

F

L

I

W

K

C

S

G

O

C

I

X

E

V

A

S

B

N

B

Q

R

W

D

C

Q

A

X

S

W

K

A

P

M

A

Y

M

R

Z

Y

R

A

Y

D

N

I

A

Z

R

Z

I

A

K

S

R

T

C

X

R

F

L

M

C

U

N

O

U

Y

U

S

Z

N

R

Q

D

L

J

U

N

I

P

E

R

B

E

R

R

Y

E

I

A

M

S

V

V

M

M

A

E

T

I

U

J

R

A

P

A

S

K

O

O

K

B

U

I

E

T

V

G

O

F

D

S

K

L

L

Z

L

B

T

D

A

C

R

P

T

X

C

R

A

O

L

D

E

I

N

R

L

Y

Y

X

H

Q

T

M

H

S

U

R

B

E

G

A

S

W

E

Activity 2, Find the Healing Plants

Today, people visit the pharmacy to buy medicine when they feel sick. During prehistoric times, natives in 

present-day Idaho gathered various plants and nuts when they felt sick. The plants contained many vitamins, 

minerals, and medicinal properties. In the puzzle, find the following plants used by early people: biscuitroot, 

bitterroot, camas, chokecherry, currant, elderberry, goosefoot, juniper berry, pigweed, pinon, plantains, 

sagebrush, saltbush, serviceberry, and yampa.
6

Ice sheets and glaciers once covered large areas of the earth. People often refer to the most recent glacial 

period as the “ice age.” It ended about 14,000 years ago. As the weather grew warmer and drier, the types of 

plants and animals near Wilson Butte Cave changed. For example, sagebrush grew in the area back then but 

in a much smaller amount. Some animals common to the area during the ice age included wooly mammoths, 

saber-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths. The area became better suited for bison, antelope, elk, and 

deer. Unscramble the words below to learn more about what life was like for people near Wilson Butte Cave 

thousands of years ago.

1. G R S A U B H E S

I was used by early people as a ceremonial plant.

I was used as an incense to carry prayers and to treat colds.

2. O W L O Y M M M O H T A

I lived during the ice age.

I am the same size as a modern African elephant.

I weighed almost 7 tons. That’s the same size

as about seven small cars.

3. L A L T A T

I am a fast-moving tool used to throw spears.

I was used by early people to hunt.

4. R S B A E - O H T T O D E A C T

I am characterized by my long teeth.

I lived during the ice age.

I was a carnivore that hunted sloths, mammoths, and other large prey.

5. A A M C S

I am a plant that blooms with bright blue flowers.

My roots were gathered in early spring or summer and then harvested,

boiled, and roasted in pits with hot rocks. I am poisonous if eaten raw.

- 

Activity 3, What Am I?
7

Hunting and the Native Diet

Did You Know?

With a well-made atlatl, a skillful hunter can throw

a spear nearly the length of a football field at

the speed of nearly 100 miles per hour.

Activity 1, Help the Hunter Hit the Target

Early people hunted bison that grazed on the grasslands surrounding Wilson Butte Cave. Before the invention 

of the bow and arrow, people all over the world used a spear-thrower called an atlatl for hunting. The atlatl 

allowed the hunter to throw a spear very fast and far. Dinnertime is soon, and your family is hungry. Help this 

early native hunter find the bison. Which path should the hunter take to get a good aim?
8

Activity 2, Calculating Food Collection

Early people survived on and had a connection to the plants and animals they found

in their environment. Everyone helped out. The women and girls usually gathered 

and cleaned roots, seeds, and plants, and the men usually hunted and fished.

In this activity, a family lives in Wilson Butte Cave thousands of years ago.

Help this family figure out how much food they need for the week.

The family will collect, hunt, or trade to get the right amount of food.

The family can use the back of the cave to keep the meat cold

so it doesn’t get spoiled.

1. If each person eats approximately 3 pounds (lb) of food each day,

how many total pounds of food will this family of 5 need for 7 days?

5 people x 3 lb of food/day = ____ lb/day x 7 days = ____ total lb of food/week

2. The family needs 35 lb of lamb. If each lamb provides about 50 lb of food,

how many lambs will the family need? _____

How many extra pounds of meat will the family have? _____ lb

Maybe they can trade the extra meat with their neighbors in exchange for another type of food.

3. Currants are a type of grape and taste similar to raisins when dried.

If each plant provides about 5 lb of currants, how many plants will

the family need to pick to collect 20 lb? _____ plants

4. Pinon nuts are small and come from the pine cones of the tree.

They can be roasted and have a slightly buttery flavor. If 30 cones provide 1 lb of pinon nuts,

how many cones does the family have to gather to get 5 lb of nuts? _____ cones

5. Camas bulbs come from the camas plant, which has small blue flowers during certain times of the year.

When baked, the bulbs become tender and sweet. If 6 bulbs equal 1 lb,

how many bulbs of camas must the family find to collect 30 lb? _____ bulbs

6. Goosefoot plants are bright green and taste similar to spinach.

The family needs 15 lb of goosefoot. If 30 plants equal 1 lb,

how many plants does the family need to collect? _____ plants

35 lb of lamb + 20 lb of currants + 5 lb of pinon nuts +

30 lb of camas bulbs +15 lb of goosefoot plant = 105 lb of food

Native families probably did not collect their food by the pound like this, but this activity shows how much food 

had to be collected to survive. It was a busy job! It’s easy for us to go to the grocery store these days to buy our 

food. By doing this activity, we can also understand better why our grocery bags are so heavy each week!
9

Activity 3, Make a Match

Toward the end of the ice age, early natives used various hunting tools to kill mammoths and other mammals.

In addition to hunting tools made from bone, ivory, antler, and wood, hunters commonly made spear points 

from stone for hunting. Hunters made spear points in a variety of sizes and shapes. The following types of spear 

points range in age, from up to 13,000 years old: Besant, Clovis, Eden, Folsom, McKean, Pelican, Scotts, 

and Yonkee.

Use your memory! Invite a friend or family member to join you. Cut out the squares, mix them up, and flip them 

all over so the picture side is facing down. Flip any two cards over so you can see the spear points. If the two 

spear points match, pull the pair out of the mix. If the cards do not match, flip them back over. Whoever has the 

most matches at the end wins.

Did You Know?

Clovis points are about 12,000 years old.

Besant Clovis Eden Folsom

Besant Clovis Eden Folsom

McKean Pelican Scotts Yonkee

McKean Pelican Scotts Yonkee
10

"
11

Archaeology in Action

Archaeology is the study of history and prehistory (before people wrote down stories or information).

Archaeologists analyze sites, artifacts, and other physical remains to find out how people used to live.

Archaeologists have learned that early native people entertained themselves with storytelling, singing, dancing, 

and playing games. Archaeologists have led studies at Wilson Butte Cave and found many artifacts. They think 

natives used some of the bone artifacts as dice or game pieces.

Use your own dice to play this game with your friends and family. Every player starts at the first space on 

the board. Roll a dice to find out how many spaces you can advance. As you navigate through the plains of 

sagebrush, whoever finds (lands on) the most mammoths is the winner.

Activity adapted from and used courtesy of www.gsseser.com.

Activity 1, Dice Game

START

END
12

Activity 2, People in the Future Learning About the Past

Hello future archaeologist! Artifacts are the remains of objects that people made 

and used. Over time, natives left artifacts behind when they moved away, or they 

threw artifacts in the trash, which are called middens by archaeologists. By studying 

artifacts, archaeologists try to figure out how people lived long ago. What do you 

think someone from the future could learn about your family based on what you throw 

away or leave behind? Write a story about this.
13

Activity 3, Ascertain the Age of Artifacts

Archaeologists determine the age of artifacts by studying the layer of earth (or strata) in which they are found.

The top layers of earth are usually the youngest. The deepest layers are usually the oldest. Based on artifacts 

from Wilson Butte Cave, native hunters used the cave as a temporary shelter. Natives mostly used the cave while 

hunting bison during the spring and summer. Draw a line to match the time period to the letter that represents 

the strata.

10,000 – 14,000 years ago

2,500 – 4,000 years ago

400 – 700 years ago

6,000 – 10,000 years ago

Cave Entrance

pottery moccasins

basket

spear

atlatl

mortar and pestel

stone tools

Haskett point

mammal

bone

fragments

A

B

C

D/E

Bedrock

Cave Roof
14

The Role of Geography, Geology,

and Climate

Thousands of years ago, people and animals were able to travel by foot from Asia to North America. Scientists 

think this is how the early natives traveled to present-day Idaho. Today, people must travel from Asia to North 

America by boat or aircraft. Use your detective skills and the secret code to complete the story about the Bering 

Land Bridge, also known as Beringia.

Activity 1, Decipher the Geographic Code

1. Between 10,000 and 25,000 years ago, much of Earth’s water was locked up in ice sheets.

These ice sheets, called ________________________________ were up to 2 miles thick!

2. The glaciers were like huge buckets made of ice trapping a lot of Earth’s water. Because 

of this, the amount of water in the oceans was less, and the land at the bottom of the 

ocean was uncovered creating the ______________________ __________________ 

_______________________, which connected Asia to Alaska. The land bridge gave animals, 

plants, and humans a way to ________________________ to North America and further south 

into Central and South America.

3. Toward the end of the ___________ ___________, as the climate warmed and the glaciers 

melted, the land bridge was flooded by water.

4. Many species of animals could not survive the change. When this happened, other animals 

used the food, shelter, water, and space (known as ________________________) left empty by 

the extinct animals. 

2 = T

4 = G

8 = I

9 = N

10 = R

12 = H

16 = D

18 = M

20 = L

21 = A

23 = C

25 = E

26 = B

27 = S

Key

Code

Information adapted from and used courtesy of the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.

(4 – 20 – 21 – 23 – 8 – 25 – 10 – 27)

(26 – 25 – 10 – 8 – 9 – 4) (20 – 21 – 9 – 16)

(26 – 10 – 8 – 16 – 4 – 25)

(18 – 8 – 4 – 10 – 21 – 2 – 25)

(8 – 23 – 25) (21 – 4 – 25)

(12 – 21 – 26 – 8 – 2 – 21 – 2)
15

The Snake River Plain is a unique geologic feature that extends across southern Idaho. Lava from volcanic 

activity formed this 400-mile feature. The Snake River Plain is bordered on the north and south by mountains and 

valleys. Most of Idaho’s farming occurs within this feature. Plants grow easier here since the soil is so fertile

from the ancient lava. The Wilson Butte Cave sits within this unique feature. Early natives probably traveled 

through the Snake River Plain because of its relatively flat terrain. Based on the highlighted words in this 

paragraph and previous knowledge you learned in this activity book, complete the crossword puzzle.

Activity 2, Complete the Crossword

Across

3. Similar to magma, except it is hardened and 

above the earth’s surface.

6. Description of the soil used for farming in the 

Snake River Plain.

7. The Snake River Plain is a unique 

_____________ feature.

9. The state where most of the Snake River Plain is 

located.

10. Things that happened before people wrote 

down stories or information.

Down

1. Wilson Butte ______ can be found on the Snake 

River Plain.

2. Description of the surface of the terrain of the 

Snake River Plain.

4. Releases magma, which then hardens into lava.

5. One of the main large mammals hunted by the 

early natives.

8. The ____ age ended nearly 14,000 years ago.

1

6

5

7 8 9

10

2

3 4
16

Activity 3, Create a Unique Coat

During the ice age, the landscape near Wilson Butte Cave supported a greater number and variety of large 

animals, including wooly mammoths. The weather was considerably cooler and wetter than it is now. Wooly 

mammoths had a two-layer coat. The fuzzy undercoat felt like wool and kept the mammoth warm. The outer 

coat was made of longer, rougher hairs that protected the undercoat, keeping it clean and dry. Make a coat for 

your wooly mammoth below. You can use cotton balls, yarn, felt, or different colors of crayons. Have fun and be 

creative!
Junior Explorer Pledge 

As a Bureau of Land Management Junior Explorer,

I promise to:

•	 Do all I can to help preserve and protect the natural

and cultural resources of our public lands.

•	 Be aware of how my actions can affect other living

things and the evidence of our past.

•	 Keep learning about the importance of nature

and our heritage.

•	 Share what I have learned with others.

 Date Explorer Signature
"
19

Answer Key

Early Life on the Snake River Plain

Activity 2, Find the Healing Plants

Activity 3, What Am I?

1. SAGEBRUSH, 2. WOOLY MAMMOTH, 3. ATLATL, 4. SABER-TOOTHED CAT, 5. CAMAS

Hunting and the Native Diet

Activity 1, Help the Hunter Hit the Target

G

O

O

S

E

F

O

O

T

O

V

Y

E

N

S

Y

R

R

E

H

C

E

K

O

H

C

B

B

N

N

A

E

C

S

T

D

R

G

U

E

R

D

H

Q

Z

N

A

X

P

I

G

W

E

E

D

R

U

L

O

N

F

L

I

W

K

C

S

G

O

C

I

X

E

V

A

S

B

N

B

Q

R

W

D

C

Q

A

X

S

W

K

A

P

M

A

Y

M

R

Z

Y

R

A

Y

D

N

I

A

Z

R

Z

I

A

K

S

R

T

C

X

R

F

L

M

C

U

N

O

U

Y

U

S

Z

N

R

Q

D

L

J

U

N

I

P

E

R

B

E

R

R

Y

E

I

A

M

S

V

V

M

M

A

E

T

I

U

J

R

A

P

A

S

K

O

O

K

B

U

I

E

T

V

G

O

F

D

S

K

L

L

Z

L

B

T

D

A

C

R

P

T

X

C

R

A

O

L

D

E

I

N

R

L

Y

Y

X

H

Q

T

M

H

S

U

R

B

E

G

A

S

W

E
20

Activity 2, Calculating Food Collection

1. 15, 105, 2. 1, 15, 3. 4, 4. 150, 5. 180, 6. 450

Archaeology in Action

Activity 3, Ascertain the Age of Artifacts

A = 400 – 700 years ago, B = 2,500 – 4,000 years ago, C = 6,000 – 10,000 years ago,

D/E = 10,000 – 14,000 years ago 

The Role of Geography, Geology, and Climate

Activity 1, Decipher the Geographic Code

1. GLACIERS, 2. BERING LAND BRIDGE, MIGRATE, 3. ICE AGE, 4. HABITAT

Activity 2, Complete the Crossword

1

6

5

7 8 9

10

2

3 4

L A V A

B

I

S

C

A

V

F

A

N

O

C

C N

F E R T I L E

G E O L O G I C I D A H O

P R E H I S T O R Y
BLM/ID/GI-14/002+8367