Thinking About Summer

Memorial Day was on Monday, which means it’s now “officially” unofficially the start of summer! We hope you had a great weekend with plenty of good food, and time with family and friends. But if not, don’t worry. Summer is here! And it’s time to start planning for a great summer trip in Southern Utah! And it just so happens that we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch have some suggestions to help get you started!

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Start with the Parks

If you’re heading to Southern Utah, then you gotta do some of the national parks. There are five totally awesome parks here: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Captiol Reef, and Arches. And each one is absolutely worth visiting. But in case you’re short on time, here’s our top picks for what you should see first:

• Zion – Zion is the crown jewel of Utah’s park system. So it’s well worth putting it at the top of your list. With soaring cliffs, deep slot canyons, iconic views, and an unforgettable grandeur, Zion is a place unlike any other. We recommend that you hike Emerald Pools, drive the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and Tunnel, and stop by Kolob Canyon. We’ve written a deep dive on Zion National Park here, so check that out for more details.
• Capitol Reef – Zion might be the crown jewel, but Capitol Reef is Utah’s hidden gem. With shear sandstone cliffs, dramatic unheavals of stone, towering monoliths, and inviting orchards, Capitol Reef is a paradise carved in rock. We suggest driving down into the Waterpocket Fold, hiking to Cassidy Arch, picking fresh fruit, and stopping by the Gooseneck Overlook. We have an in-depth guide for Capitol Reef too. Start there.
• Moab Parks – Moab is located right next to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Which makes it very convenient if you want to combine both parks into one great summer trip. Natural arches and bridges abound in Arches, and in Canyonlands… deep canyons, strange spires, and breath-catching overlooks. It’s a two-for-one park combo that offers some of the best geology in Southern Utah. We’ve also got a Canyonlands and an Arches guide for you.

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Cool Down with a Splash

If you’re looking to beat the heat a little, you’re in luck! There are TONS of great places to boat, swim, and fish in Southern Utah. If you are planning something for July or August, a water-based vacation makes a lot of sense. It’s the perfect way to cool down with a splash. Think about visiting a couple of these places:

• Lake Powell – this is the water-sports “Mecca” of Southern Utah. The lake is impressively huge, and dramatically scenic. Hang out by the water, explore the labyrinthine network of flooded canyons on personal watercraft, fish for carp and lake trout, or heck, get yourself a houseboat for the weekend. Oh and be sure to visit the incredible Rainbow Arch.
• Green River – the Green River is responsible for carving out much of the canyons of Southern Utah. And you can get front-row seats to the erosive power changing the landscape by rafting down the river through one of the various canyons of Canyonlands National Park. You’ll also get to see the park from a whole new perspective, looking up the cliff walls instead of down. Plus you get to splash around in the water! Our pick? We recommend taking a few days to raft Stillwater Canyon.
• Fish Lake – this might be the best spot to fish in all of Utah! Fish Lake is abundantly stocked, has a great alpine location, and is super close to Capitol Reef National Park. (It’s also basically our next-door neighbor!) In addition to all that great fishing, you can hike, ride and explore nearby Fishlake National Forest and Johnson Reservoir. And while you’re there, say hello to our friend Pando.

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Become an Off-Road Warrior

Not into boating or roadtrips? And doing lots of hikes in the national parks isn’t your thing either? No problem. Maybe you want to explore the wilderness of Southern Utah via motorcycle, Jeep or other OHV. Then go ahead and check these spots out:

• Coral Pink Coral Dunes – this is an amazing little state park that seems custom-made for dirt bikes and dune buggies. You can play in the sand all day long, camp nearby, and play again the next day. Plus it’s a really scenic area. Here’s a little more info on the park.
• White Rim Road – this is one of our favorite backcountry roads in the state. Be prepared, you’ll need a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle to tackle the tough terrain, and there are plenty of hazardous spots that will require a certain level of skill. But you’ll never beat those views of Canyonlands and the Green River. If you’re into backcountry adventure, we suggest you put this one on your “must do” list. You can get more info here.
• Burr Trail – this trail is also pretty remote, but you won’t need to fear for your life while driving it. Any high-clearance vehicle should do fine on the graded gravel road. The trail will take you through the best part of the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef. You can get some more in-depth information here.

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Time to Start Planning

Hopefully something on this very, very short list grabbed your attention. Summer in Southern Utah is a blast, and now’s the best time to start thinking about your plans. Happy trails!