Area Guide: Recommended Day Trips
We are always happy to make recommendations for leisurely or adventurous day-trips. Following are just some of the local activities our guests frequently enjoy.
For more information, stop by our office or contact the Torrey Information Center at 435-425-3365. You can also visit: Capitol Reef Country Travel Council.
Capitol Reef National ParkCapitol Reef has some of the most beautiful scenery southern Utah has to offer, without the usual crowds. It’s a hiker’s paradise of red rock canyons, giant domes, natural bridges and far-reaching vistas. If you are a history buff, you’ll enjoy the Fremont rock art, cowboy signatures and early pioneer orchards. More information: Capitol Reef TorreyWant a picnic lunch to take along on your day trips or a great place for dinner? Torrey, called “an artsy oasis” by Sunset Magazine, offers a nice selection of restaurants. From coffee and pastry to award winning Southwest cuisine, Torrey has it all. Be sure to check out the unique art galleries as well. More information: Torrey Scenic Byway 12Byway 12 has received the esteemed designation of an All-American Road, scenic enough to be a travel destination by itself. We couldn’t agree more! Leading from Torrey to Bryce Canyon National Park, Byway 12 covers 124 miles of breathtaking scenery. Be sure to stop at the many overlooks and enjoy the unforgettable views! More information: Scenic Byway 12 Cathedral ValleyIf you are ready for a back road adventure, we highly recommend the 60-mile loop through Cathedral Valley. Part of Capitol Reef National Park, Cathedral Valley offers softly sculptured monoliths and banded hills in varying hues of brown, red, purple, gray, and green. Be sure to check ahead for weather and road conditions. More information: Cathedral Valley Burr Trail LoopThis 127-mile scenic back road takes you along the eastern flank of Capitol Reef National Park, through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and over aspen-studded Boulder Mountain. Bring your camera and enjoy the wide variety of geologic features. More information: Burr Trail Loop Hells Backbone RoadOnce the only road between Escalante and Boulder, Hells Backbone Road was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. Reaching an elevation of 9000 feet above sea level, it offers views of The Box and Death Hollow wilderness areas. Hell’s Backbone Bridge spans a crevasse on a narrow ridge no wider than the bridge itself. More information: Hells Backbone Road Fish Lake LoopThis 30-mile drive takes you over high mountain plateaus to Fish Lake, the largest natural mountain lake in Utah. Access to hiking, mountain biking, and of course, fishing for Mackinaw trout, splake and rainbow trout. More information: Fish Lake Loop Grand Staircase-Escalante National MonumentThe last place in the Continental United States to be explored and mapped, this rugged, remote park is an outdoor university for geologists, paleontologists, archeologists and historians. Drive its back roads to view colorful cliffs and terraces, exciting slot canyons, mushroom-like hoodoos and whimsical arches. More information: Grand Staircase-Escalante Bryce Canyon National ParkBryce Canyon’s famous hoodoos seem to glow at sunrise and sunset. Follow the scenic drive to Rainbow Point and admire the expansive views. Or, take a hike or horseback ride into the canyon. More than 50 miles of hiking trails wind through the park. More information: Bryce Canyon Goblin ValleyScores of intricately eroded goblin-like creatures greet visitors to Goblin Valley. Hike among these rock formations and let your imagination run wild. Just outside the park are numerous off-highway vehicle and mountain biking routes. More information: Goblin Valley |
Area Activities
| We are always happy to make recommendations to help you enjoy your time with us. For more information, stop by our office or contact the Torrey Information Center at 435-425-3365. You can also visit: Capitol Reef Country Travel Council. |
Hiking
We are just 6 miles from Capitol Reef National Park and its exceptional hiking trails. Canyons, high plateaus, arches and natural bridges – take your pick Capitol Reef National Park. You can easily take day trips to trails in Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Goblin Valley. Redrock Adventure Guides offer spectacular guided hikes tailored to your level of challenge.
Fishing
The lakes around Boulder Mountain are some of the best in Utah, including a world-class brook trout fishery. Information: Boulder Mountain Fishing. Many of our guests enjoy the scenic drive to Fish Lake for Mackinaw trout, splake and rainbow trout. Guided professional excursions are offered by Fremont River Guides. Information: Fish Lake.
Mountain Biking
The scenery couldn’t get better than the easy Capitol Reef National Park Scenic Drive, a mixture of pavement and dirt/gravel surface. Experienced mountain bikers can head for Cathedral Valley or the Burr Trail. For information on area rides, contact: Capitol Reef Country Travel Council.
Back Country Adventures
Want to get away from the crowds and enjoy Utah’s scenic, famously-rugged back country? You can spend days driving through Cathedral Valley, Burr Trail Loop, Hells Backbone Road and numerous other unforgettable locations. If you don’t have a 4-WD vehicle, rent a 4×4 Jeep right at our RV Park. Or, bring along your ATV or rent from our local outfitters and explore Goblin Valley, Bryce Canyon, Posey Lake and Grand Staircase-Escalante. For motorcycle riders, Scenic Byway 12 is always a favorite. Hondoo Rivers & Trails offer guided adventures, specializing in backcountry horseback, jeep tours and hiking. Redrock Adventure Guides offer custom hikes, backpacking, canyoneering, and photo tours for your experience level.
History Buffs
Throughout our beautiful area you can see well-preserved reminders of the Fremont Indians, Ancient Anasazi and early Mormon settlers. Take a leisurely drive along Scenic Byway 12 and stop at the small, historic ranching communities. At Capitol Reef National Park, you can see Fremont pictographs, cowboy graffiti, pioneer ranch buildings and orchards. Stop by the visitor center for locations.
Information: Scenic Byway 12, Capitol Reef.
Information: Scenic Byway 12, Capitol Reef.