In our blogs, we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch, are always raving about Utah’s five great national parks. Just as spectacular, but less visited, are our state parks. There are a couple of advantages to including state parks into your vacation plans. Since Utah’s state parks are smaller in size, it means that you can often see everything the park has to offer – which is nearly impossible in the national parks. And the fact that state parks are less popular means you don’t have to fight the crowds. One of Southern Utah’s most impressive state parks is Kodachrome Basin State Park. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Nature’ Category
Cedar Breaks National Monument
In this final segment of our three-part blog series, we’ve featured a national monument that we at the Lodge think you should visit.
Cedar Breaks National Monument is an amphitheater canyon that contains thousands of hoodoo geological formations. Designated a national monument in 1933, Cedar Breaks has since become known for its similarity with Bryce Canyon National Park, earning it the nickname “Little Bryce.” But we, at the Lodge at Red River Ranch, like Cedar Breaks just as much as Bryce Canyon. If you are in the area, stop by the rim overlook. It is a fabulous panorama of the national monument and the surrounding canyons. Take the time to hike into Cedar Breaks for a more personal experience with the unique geology. (more…)
Fishlake Forest
In this second part of our three-part blog series, we’ve highlighted Utah’s Fishlake National Forest, located less than an hour from the Lodge at Red River Ranch.
Fishlake National Forest is one of the most beautiful forest areas in the state. It contains over 1.4 million acres of deciduous and coniferous trees, thousands of acres of prime waterfront and miles of hiking, horseback riding, and ATV trails. Fishlake National Forest is the perfect place to go fishing, hunting, or simply exploring. Fishlake National Forest gets its name from Fish Lake, the prominent body of water in the southeastern part of the forest area. If you’re looking for a starting point in Fishlake Forest, begin with Fish Lake. (more…)
Grand Staircase Revisited
Utah has five national parks, and we love them all. But Utah also contains seven national monuments and six national forest areas. While we at the Lodge think these areas are just as worthy of your time as the national parks, many people don’t get the chance to visit them. In this three-part blog series, we’ve highlighted the top national monuments and forests that we think you should include in your vacation plans. (more…)
The Wildlife of Southern Utah
There is a vast amount of wildlife to be found in Southern Utah. With its mix of wind-swept deserts and high plateaus, this region supports some of the most fascinating and reclusive, animals in the country. Any vacation to Southern Utah can be enhanced by an introductory knowledge of the wildlife you might see. We, at the Lodge at Red River Ranch, put together a checklist of animals common to Southern Utah – see if you can spot some of them. (more…)