While they waited for rescuers from Salt Lake City, many people died from exposure and starvation. In 1996 the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS purchased the portion of the famous Sun Ranch with access to Martin's Cove, the site of one of the most tragic miscalculations on the trails. Overnight group tours can be scheduled, and handcarts are available for treks to the cove. The Visitor Center commemorates the trek across the prairies by the Mormon Pioneers. There is also a room containing exhibits and artifacts collected by the Sun family, from the frontier period immediately succeeding the pioneer migrations.
Visitors can walk or pull a handcart to the cove.
One and two night camping treks are also available. Reservation are necessary. This is the world's largest light oil field. It was established in 1914 and named after a nearby rock formation. Teapot Dome was at the center of a scandal during President Warren Harding's administration.