Capitol Reef National Park has been growing in popularity for years now. In fact, we get about 1.2 million visitors every year! So, as you can imagine, some of the infrastructure that was created decades ago to service the park isn’t quite up to the job anymore. And if you’ve driven on the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive recently, then you’ll know that this small, two-lane road can become a bit hectic during peak hours. It just wasn’t built to handle this kind of traffic. Luckily however, a fix is happening soon!

Photo by Boukaih via unsplash.com

Time for a Little T.L.C.

Starting in just a couple of days, on April 29, 2024, the National Park Service will begin a rehabilitation project for the Scenic Drive. This renovation is expected to last throughout the summer, concluding sometime this fall. There are four stated goals for the project:

1. Expand parking capacity and delineation of parking spots. This aims to improve safety and access while reducing the number of vehicles parked along the highway and Scenic Drive.

2. Improve drainage due to the area’s flood-prone landscape.

3. Slightly widen the road especially in tight curve areas; allowing larger vehicles to pass each other without leaving the road surface.

4. Make accessibility improvements including additional accessible parking spaces, sidewalks, and low-slope grading.

Hopefully this project will make the Scenic Drive a much easier way to access that part of Capitol Reef – without all the current drawbacks.

Photo by Camille Couvez via unsplash.com

Ok, But Can I Still Access The Trails on the Scenic Drive?

Well… no, not for long. We know that some of the coolest hikes have their trailheads on the Scenic Drive. (Shoutout to Cassidy Arch, still one of our favorites after all this time.) If you are heading to Capitol Reef in the next couple of weeks, you can still access the parking area for Cassidy Arch and Grand Wash through May 12th. On the 13th, however, the road will be closed entirely for the duration of the project.

Keep in mind, you can still access the Grand Wash from the trailhead on Highway 24 (updated map here), but you will have to backtrack to your car. You can’t have a vehicle parked on both sides like we usually recommend.

And you CAN still make it to Cassidy Arch after May 13th, if you hike from Cohab Canyon, across the Frying Pan trail, and connect to the Cassidy Arch trail. But again, you will have to backtrack the way you came. We don’t recommend this for a couple of reasons – it’s very hot, and very long. Most hikers are not up for it. Instead, we’ve got a couple of alternate ideas for what to do while the Scenic Drive is closed.

Photo by Intricate Explorer via unsplash.com

What You Should See Instead

If you are visiting the park after May 13th, we have a couple of other suggestions for you. These areas of the park will be good substitutes for anything that you will miss on the Scenic Drive.

For a great scenic road tour, drive the Burr Trail –
Burr Trail
(Road Trip | 62 mile loop | 4 – 6 hours)

We’ve written a pretty descent guide to the Burr Trail already. So we’ll link to it here. For now, we’ll just say that it’s one of our all-time favorite things to do in Capitol Reef. You will get to see so much more of the park, including the Waterpocket Fold, the southern section that is much less visited. We highly recommend that you check this out. When you’re done, you won’t even care that you couldn’t see the Scenic Drive!

For a canyon hike like the Grand Wash, try Cohab Canyon –
Cohab Canyon
(Moderate | 1.7 – 2.9 miles one-way | 1 – 2.5 hours)

This is a great canyon hike! It’s more narrow than the Grand Wash, with lots of little side canyons that you can explore. It also has the advantage of an open road on either side of the trail, so you can arrange for a shuttle to take you back to your vehicle. Park one car at the Gifford House or Picnic Area, and one car at the Hickman bridge trailhead.

Check out this guide for more details.

For an arch/overlook experience, try Hickman Bridge and the Rim Overlook –
Hickman Bridge and the Rim Overlook
(Strenuous | 4.6 – 6.1 miles out-and-back | 4 – 5 hours)

Hickman Bridge is a short detour from the main hike to the Rim Overlook, so check that out first. The Hickman Bridge trail is probably the most popular hike in park, so expect some crowds – especially since Cassidy Arch is closed. After you wander around and under the bridge, head back and continue toward the overlook. We promise it’s the one of the best views in the entire park, and will more than make up for what you’ll miss from the top of Cassidy Arch!

You can get more info from this guide on Hickman Bridge and the Rim Overlook.

Photo by Lisha Riabinina via unsplash.com

We’ll Keep You Updated

The Lodge at Red River Ranch will keep an eye on any developments throughout the Scenic Drive Rehabilitation Project. We’ll let you know if anything noteworthy happens. And, of course, we’ll tell you the moment the Scenic Drive is fully open again! You can also get updates directly from the park’s website here. In the meantime, we hope you can still have a great trip to Capitol Reef this summer!

Southern Utah has become a pretty popular place. Over the last four decades, we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch have seen this part of the world go from relatively unknown to a world-famous travel destination. Part of that is due to the rise of social media and the prevalence of geotagging locations, and part of that is just because Southern Utah is so awesome. But the result is that you now have to plan ahead and make reservations in advance for your entire travel itinerary. So let’s talk about what you can do you to book your Southern Utah vacation!

Photo by Taylor Brandon via unsplash.com

Booking the Parks and Campsites

Many of the most popular parts of the national parks – think Angels Landing trail in Zion – now require online reservations. (And in some cases, like in Arches National Park, you need a reservation to enter the park at all.) Recreation.gov is the official government website that handles all the bookings for the National Park Service. So this is where you need to go to get your tickets. The site also handles all the lottery entries for places like The Wave and Vermillion Cliffs.

It is also the place you need to go to get your campsite reservations. It is next to impossible to find a spot at any of the national park campsites just by showing up and looking around. (There is one exception, which we’ll cover in a minute.) Even if you see empty spots, they are already held for people who have used recreation.gov to secure their place. All of which is to say: if you’re planning a vacation this year, head over to the site, and start making your bookings. Check on the national parks to see if you need timed entry tickets, enter the lotteries for any of the popular parts of the parks you hope to visit, and be sure to reserve any campsites you are hoping to stay at.

Photo by Katie Musial via unsplash.com

The Only Exceptions

Some of the primitive campsite in the national parks purposefully do not allow online reservations. As an example, the Cathedral Valley Campsite in the northern section of Capitol Reef National Park is still first-come-first-served. If you messed up and didn’t book in advance (presumably because you didn’t see this blog post in time) you can try heading to one of these primitive campsites.

Photo by Red River Ranch

It’s Good Advice for Hotels Too

As we might have mentioned, Southern Utah is a popular place. The national parks get booked out, but so too do the hotels that service the area. If you’re not much into camping, and you want to have a more comfortable and luxurious vacation, then you gotta get your Southern Utah hotels booked as early as possible too. Book as many months in advance as you can to avoid places being sold out. If you are interested in staying with us, you can make reservations for the Lodge at Red River Ranch here. But wherever you go, just be sure to finalize your plans, and make your reservations as soon as possible in order to have the best, and most stress-free Southern Utah trip!

You know what’s better than visiting the national parks? Visiting the national parks and getting in for free! And every year the National Park Service designates a few days during the coming year when the entrance fee is waived. And you can explore the great outdoors for free!

Photo by Yuval Levy via unsplash.com

Which Days Exactly?

Okay, so for 2024 here’s the list of free days at the national parks. The first one is this coming Monday!

• January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 20: First day of National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 28: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

What If My Park Is Usually Free?

Not all of the national parks charge an entrance fee. But four out of five in Utah do. The odd one out is Capitol Reef, which is always free to enter. However there is a scenic route in the park which does charge a toll. (Which you should definitely plan on doing!) This toll will be waived on the free days, just like the entrance fees at the other parks. Across the country there are similar situations at other free-to-enter national parks. Visit the official page of the specific park that you are planning to visit for complete details.

One Extra Day This Year!

If you track the number of free days that the National Park Service offers every year, then you will notice that in 2024 we are getting one more free day compared to 2023. Hooray! This year the NPS is celebrating Juneteenth for the first time by waiving the entrance fee. Juneteenth became a national holiday only a couple years ago, so if you want to read a little more about it check out this page. And be sure to celebrate it in style be hanging out in the national parks, for free of course!

Photo by Jakob Køhn via unsplash.com

Make Plans!

Ok! Now that you know when the free days are, it’s time to make some plans to visit the national parks! If you plan on visiting on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, then you should consider some of the winter activities available in the parks. (We’ve written about that here.) And if you’re thinking about checking out any of Utah’s fine national parks, then we’ve got guides for all of them! Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion, and of course Capitol Reef. The parks are beckoning, and adventure awaits in 2024! Especially on days that are free!

Another year is over! We blogged about a lot of things this year, and covered a lot of topics. This past year was a big one, so let’s take a look back at the some of the more memorable posts that we wrote in 2023.

This is the Blog at Red River Ranch: Year in Review.

Photo by Annie Spratt via unsplash.com

We Wrote About Film and Television

One of the big tent-pole cultural shows this year was season three of The Mandalorian. We watched it, you watched it, everybody watched it. But besides seeing the always-adorable Baby Yoda again, what we loved most about this season was seeing Lake Powell as the backdrop of the the Mandalorian hide-out. We wrote about it here in The Mandalorian Visits Lake Powell.

We also gave a shoutout to the 2002 DreamWorks animated film Spirit, which is set in the American West and Southern Utah. We detailed all the real-life locations used in the film, which you can read in our post Spirit: Film Locations.

Photo by the Walt Disney Company via disneyplus.com

We Covered the Big Events

There were two really big events at the Southern Utah national parks this year. And we wrote and posted about both. The first was the hundredth anniversary of Bryce Canyon National Park. (Happy birthday, again, Bryce!) The park had a big Centennial Celebration with live music and a birthday ceremony, and we wrote about it – as well as the history of Bryce Canyon – here in our post Happy 100th, Bryce Canyon!

The second big event the year was the annular solar eclipse. Most of Southern Utah had great views of the phenomenon, but Capitol Reef National Park was right in the path, and had was the best place to observe it. So we kept everyone updated on all the celestial happenings and the ways Capitol Reef was celebrating in our post 2023 Annular Eclipse. In Capitol Reef!

Photo by Mark Basarab via unsplash.com

We Talked About Hidden Locations

One of our favorite things is to write about the places that non-locals just don’t know about, and aren’t likely to discover without a little help. We did that this year too. In our post Sunglow Canyon we wrote about a little canyon tucked away from the main road, and located only a few minutes from us at the Lodge at Red River Ranch. Most people drive right by it, but we encouraged you to stop and check it out.

We also wrote about what is possibly the best place to bike in all of Southern Utah in our post Ride Gooseberry Mesa! Gooseberry Mesa has the best views of Zion National Park, with the best mix of slickrock and singletrack, and the best routes that we know about.

Photo by Tim Foster unsplash.com

We Hiked. A Lot.

Obviously we like to write about hiking. It’s kinda our number one thing. And this year we wrote about the 5 Best Spring Hikes in Capitol Reef, some of favorite trails in Arches National Park, short Labor Day Hikes, and the best hikes for autumn and winter.

And speaking of hiking, we made a public service announcement about how Google Maps finally made hiking in the national parks a priority with some much-needed improvements. Those changes should help us all hike better in 2024 and beyond.

Photo by Alex Holt via unsplash.com

We’re Excited About the New Year

Next year, we’ll be writing even more about the best things to see and do in Southern Utah. We’ll see you then! Happy New Year! And thanks for making 2023 a great year for us at the Lodge at Red River Ranch.

Zion’s Making Changes

Some pretty big changes are coming to Zion.

Starting next month, on January 5, 2024, Zion National Park will change it’s fee structure for all campgrounds in the park. The park will also switch to using recreation.gov as the only way to make reservations for canyoneering, backpacking camping, and all other Wilderness permits.

So let’s dig into this and see how it will effect everyone who is planning on visiting Zion in 2024.

Photo by Zach Betten via unsplash.com

Camping Fees Updated

Here is the break-down of the new prices that Zion will charge you to camp in the Frontcountry Campgrounds. As you can see some of these fees are going up about 175%. But as Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park Superintendent said, “We adopted these changes to improve accessibility and visitor service. These changes are going to help us maintain essential facilities like restrooms and drinking water systems, rehabilitate campsites, and simplify applications for Wilderness Recreation Permits.”

Photo by NEOM via unsplash.com

Permit Updates

In addition to the camping fee changes, Zion is now making online reservations mandatory for booking any of their permits or entering any of their lotteries. These include both day-use and overnight permits. So if you want to explore any of the backcountry of the park, head over to Zion’s recreation.gov page and start booking!

These changes don’t effect the permit lottery system for hiking Angels Landing. It’s not in the backcountry, but it is too popular for it’s own good. So if you are thinking of going for that, check out this page for the latest information on how to enter the lottery in 2024.

But let’s look at the types of permits and the cost for each under Zion’s new system –

Day use applications and reservations 

Day Use permit fees 

Note: Only applicants who get a permit through a lottery, by advance reservation, or by walking up will pay the $10 per person per day fee. 
 

Overnight Use  

Permits are for overnight activity such as camping in designated Wilderness campsites, bivouac (bivy) camping on climbs, and at-large camping in authorized areas. 

Overnight use applications and reservations 

Overnight use permit fees 

Note: Only applicants who get a permit through advance reservation or by walking up will pay the additional $7 per person per night fee. 
 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! And just like millions of Americans, we are thinking about what we are grateful for. It’s a long list. But here are a couple that we want to mention here:

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez via unsplash.com

We’re Grateful for You

First and foremost we are grateful for all of the guests that we get to host here at the Lodge at Red River Ranch! We get to meet people from all over the world. And we get to introduce them to the wonders of Southern Utah and Capitol Reef National Park. We love what we do, and we love getting to do it with you. Thank you to all of you who choose to stay with us.

We’re Grateful for Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef is one of the best places on earth. And we get to live right next door! It’s a geological marvel, filled with arches, red cliff walls, narrow canyons, and dazzling vistas. It’s also not over-crowded, especially during the off-season, which makes it a great location to take a break, find some solitude, and get in touch with the natural world. And while we might be biased, we think it really is a perfect national park!

We’re Grateful for the Weather

Ok. Wait. Just hear us out. We know that sounds strange, but the weather patterns here in Southern Utah are responsible for so much of the erosive forces that shape this land. We quite literally wouldn’t have Capitol Reef, or Bryce, or Zion without the yearly weather cycles. And it works out pretty great for us. The snowfall in winter is light, followed by lots of sun, which freezes and erodes the sandstone features, and is pretty pleasant to deal with. So yes, we are grateful for mild winters – but also for the snow which does fall.

Finally, We Are Grateful for Our Staff

Thank you to all the wonderful people who make Red River Ranch such a success. We are Capitol Reef’s premier luxury hotel because of all the hard work, attention to detail, and dedication that you provide. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.

— The Lodge
at Red River Ranch

There is an annular eclipse heading right for Capitol Reef! On October 14, 2023 (which is only 17 days from now!) the path of the eclipse will pass over Southern Utah, directly over the national park. So if you want to catch this celestial event in person, here is some info on what to expect on this very special day!

Photo by Mark Basarab via unsplash.com

What is an Annular Eclipse?

A solar eclipse is when the moon temporarily blocks the sun’s light, casting a shadow on the earth. A total eclipse is when the sun in completely obscured. But since the distance from the moon to the earth varies as it makes it’s orbit, an annular eclipse occurs when the moon is a little too far away to totally block out the entire sun. A little “Ring of Fire” is then visible around the moon. Sounds cool, huh? It’s even cooler in person!

Is Capitol Reef Doing Anything To Celebrate the Eclipse?

Big time! There are ranger-led astronomy programs everyday from October 9 to the 13 to get everyone excited. There will be solars cope viewing available at the visitor center, so you can safely look at the sun, even before the eclipse happens. Also, there is a marathon happening during the eclipse! So watch out for that! All of the details can be found on this page here.

But during the big event, when the eclipse is happening, the park rangers will be focused on maintaining and directing the crowds of visitors. To that end, the visitor center will be closed from 9:30am to 11am.

Photo by Jason Howell via unsplash.com

Can I Stare At The Ring Of Fire With My Naked Eyes?

We feel that you already know the answer to this one: NO. There is still enough light being emitted from the Ring of Fire to cause permanent damage to your eyeballs. You will need eclipse-viewing glasses. Which are sold for cheap at plenty of online retailers. So don’t risk it! The National Park Service has a whole page dedicated on how to view eclipses safety. Check that out here.

What Time Does it Happen?

This is the timetable of events on the morning of October 14. Everything is in local time, which is Mountain Daylight Time, or UTC–6, if you’re coming in from out-of-town.

9:10am – Partial solar eclipse begins
10:27am – Annularity begins.
10:32am – Annularity ends. Partial solar eclipse resumes.
11:57am – Partial solar eclipse ends

Photo by Jongsun Lee via unsplash.com

What Else Should I Know?

This annular eclipse is projected to bring big, big crowds to Capitol Reef and the surrounding areas. So make your accommodation plans now, otherwise you’ll be out of luck. You can reserve some campgrounds on recreation.gov, but some of the primitive ones are first-come first-serve.

It’s also important to remember that rural communities – like those near the park – don’t always have the logistical capacity to service thousands of people. Which means that some of the grocery stores nearby might become pretty low on stock. So it is advisable to bring most of your own food with you. It’s no good being hungry while watching the wondrous motions of the heavens!

That about covers it! Bring your eclipse-viewing glasses, plenty of food, and be in Capitol Reef by 9:10am to see the big show! You can find more info about the 2023 Annular Eclipse here at timeanddate.com and at NASA.

You’ve probably seen all the headlines. It’s no secret that it’s been a very hot month. Thanks in part to a strong El Nino year, temperatures have risen across much of the United States, including here in Southern Utah. The deserts of the American Southwest are already pretty hot during normal years, so you can imagine how hikers this year need to be extra prepared to handle the heat. So let’s talk about some ways you can still have fun in the sun, and stay safe.

Photo by Taylor Brandon via unsplash.com.

Best Practices for Summer Hiking

There are some simple rules that will help you avoid any unnecessary risks when exploring the national parks here in Southern Utah during the summer.

• Don’t hike during the middle of the day. Plan your adventures for the morning and evening. We recommend that you finish your hike by about 11am or start after 6pm. So look at your route and plan accordingly.
• Carry lots of water. Lots. A gallon (or four liters) per person hiking. And take some electrolytes with you too.
• Know your party’s limits. Don’t attempt to do something you or members of your group don’t feel qualified to handle. You don’t want to be stuck out on a remote trail in the middle of the day.
• Have the right gear. Have a map, the right footwear, a good first aid kit, plenty of food for the trail (snacks, light meals) and a strong flashlight if you’re hiking in the evening.

Most people who take common-sense preparations will be totally fine hiking in the desert parks, even during summer. The trick is to plan ahead. Plan your hikes, talk to the rangers, and learn as much as you can about safety on the trail.

But if things do go bad, you should know what to look for if you or your hiking buddy is starting to feel the effects of extreme heat.

Photo by MK via unsplash.com.

What Heat Does To The Body

If the human body reaches certain temperatures, it can start to exhibit symptoms of heat-related diseases. Namely: heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Of the two, heat stroke is by far the more dangerous, requiring immediate medical attention. Here’s how to tell heat exhaustion and heat stroke apart – and what to do next.

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms

• Feeling faint and/or dizzy
• Excessive sweating
• Cool or clammy skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid, fluttery, and weak pulse
• Muscle cramps

What to do?

If you, or someone in your party, is displaying signs of heat exhaustion, take action to cool down. If possible, get to an air-conditioned place. If that’s not possible, find shade on the trail. Drink plenty of water and take a long break. And be ready to turn back. It’s not worth trying to “finish” the hike if someone isn’t feeling well.

Of course, the best cure is prevention. Again. Don’t hike when the sun is strong, but instead plan your adventures for the mornings and evenings.

Heat Stroke

Symptoms

• Strong, persistent headache
• Not sweating
• Hot skin, usually dry
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid, over-strong pulse
• May lose consciousness

What to do?

Call 911. Then take immediate action to bring the body’s temperature down. If you have access to ice, make an ice bath, or place ice compresses under the armpits and between the thighs. If you’re on the trail, move into deep shade and use wet-cloth compresses in those same spots. Do everything you can to cool the person down, and wait for emergency services to arrive.

Heat stroke is serious. But there are plenty of observable warning signs before a person develops heat stroke. Be smart when hiking in the summer months. Don’t attempt activities beyond your abilities. And always, always carry plenty of water. Again. One gallon of water per hiker.

Photo by Terra Thurgood via unsplash.com.

Monsoons in the Desert?

Ok. There is one other important thing we need to talk about for safe hiking in summer in much of Southern Utah. We have a monsoon season here. It begins towards the end of July, when the temperature is hottest on the Colorado Plateau. The climate patterns, and increased evaporation, bring daily, afternoon rainstorms.

Plan Accordingly

So, what does this mean for your trip? If you’re visiting Capitol Reef, or any of the national and state parks of Southern Utah during the late summer, you need to be a little bit more prepared. Plan on doing your outdoor activities – hiking, biking, climbing, trail riding, whatever – in the mornings. Avoid activities during the mid-day (you’re probably sensing a pattern here.) The rains don’t arrive until about 2pm, so plan on wrapping up before that. At this point you shouldn’t be hiking (see above), but you might still be picnicking in a park. And nobody wants a soggy sandwich.

But most important, be aware of flash floods.

Photo by Glen Rushton via unsplash.com.

Flash Floods!

Summer rains bring an increased chance of flash floods. And those can be very, very dangerous. So stay on high ground if you get caught in the rain. And check with the visitor center of the park you’re visiting to get the best information on flooding in the area. Also, check out this site from weather.gov to see if there are flash flood warnings.

It’s Not So Scary

You might be thinking, “Heat stroke? Flash floods? Maybe I’ll just stay home.” But trust us. Once you understand the weather patterns, Southern Utah is a wonderful, beautiful place to visit. Just work within the elements of nature, and you’ll be safe. And you’ll have a great time!

Today is a special day! Today, Bryce Canyon National Park celebrates it’s 100th anniversary! On June 8, 1923, President Warren G. Harding designated about 10,000 acres of land as Bryce Canyon National Monument. And the following year the monument was upgraded to a national park (although, fun fact: it was originally called “Utah National Park.” Lawmakers would change its name back to “Bryce Canyon National Park” in 1928.) Today, Bryce Canyon welcomes millions of visitors every year, and preserves a truly remarkable landscape for generations to come. We love Bryce, and we’re very happy to celebrate 100 years of this classic American park!

Photo by Stephen Leonardi via unsplash.com

A Little More History

There is a great page on the official Bryce Canyon website that goes into the history of Bryce, but we thought we’d just share some of the most important highlights from the early days, just so you can get a sense of the formation of the park. These bullet points are pulled directly from the official centennial history, so again, go check out that page:

1872 – A survey team headed by Lieutenant George C. Wheeler maps the geologic resources of the Colorado plateau. The Wheeler Report includes the first written description of the area: “…a perfect wilderness of red pinnacles,” wrote Grove Karl Gilbert.

1915 – Sevier National Forest Supervisor, J.W. Humphrey, views the canyon for the first time and begins publicity efforts to tell the world. This includes articles, photographs by A.W. Stevens, and a film by George Goshen that were sent to Washington D.C.

August 1916 – The National Park Service is created by Congress to manage parks and monuments in such a manner as to leave them unimpaired for future generations.

June 8, 1923 – Bryce Canyon National Monument proclaimed by President Warren G. Harding. Boundaries of the 9,760 acre monument extend roughly from modern-day Sunrise Point south to Paria View.

June 7, 1924 – After persistent campaigning by Utah Senator Reed Smoot, Congress establishes “Utah National Park.”

1924 – Construction begins on the Bryce Canyon Lodge.

September 15, 1928 – After the requirement is met that all land within the boundaries be United States owned, Bryce Canyon National Park is established. Management transfers from the U.S. Forest Service to the National Park Service.

1931 – The park boundaries extend south to Podunk Point (now Rainbow Point), doubling the size of the park.

Photo by Digitalarbyter via unsplash.com

How You Can Celebrate

There is a Centennial Celebration happening in the park today (with the Piano Guys preforming!) but if you’re just reading about this now, on June 8th, then you aren’t likely to make it on time. But don’t worry, for this special year Bryce Canyon has tons of cool things planned. The best way to stay informed about their upcoming events is through social media. Here is the list of all the official socials for Bryce Canyon.

You can also be part of the continuing story of Bryce Canyon. Tag your photos with #BRYCE100 to share your experiences in the park during the year. And if you have a love story that involves Bryce Canyon, then visit this cute page called “Hoodoo You Love” and share your park-based romance!

Photo by Jordi Vich Navarro via unsplash.com

Hooray for National Parks

National parks are some of our most treasured places. Since the founding of the National Park Service in 1916, millions of acres of land have been designated as public spaces for all of us to enjoy. The NPS preserves the most incredible, awe-inspiring, and fantastically beautiful areas in our country – places like Bryce Canyon National Park. Hooray for the national parks! And hooray for Bryce Canyon! Happy 100th birthday!

We at the Lodge work hard to help our guests have a great vacation. We’ve been providing suggestions for decades on what people should do when they visit our beautiful area. So, to make things a little easier, we’ve consolidated some of our best tips and built our very own itineraries. We’re excited to share these with you. Hopefully, you’ll find them useful when planning your next vacation! And now that it’s almost spring, it’s time to start making big plans for summer trips!

Photo by Paul Crook via unsplash.com

Capitol Reef – Our Backyard

Our first itinerary focuses on what you can do in Capitol Reef. (Still Utah’s best kept secret park.) We’ve actually created three itineraries for the national park, depending on how long you stay there. Suggestions include our favorite hikes, best scenic drives in the area, and little tips to make the most out of your trip.

Photo by Tim Golder via unsplash.com

Epic, Three Park Roadtrip

Our next itinerary is probably one of the best roadtrips ever designed – a tour of Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. The itinerary covers all three parks in one week. Everything is plotted out for you, including some of the best trails in each park. It really is a roadtrip that you’ll never forget.

Photo by Bob Walker via unsplash.com

Heading to Moab?

And finally for those traveling on to Moab and Arches National Park, we’ve built the Choose Your Own Moab Adventure Itinerary. (Remember those Choose Your Own Adventure books? It’s kinda like that.) It’s not a strict time-based itinerary, but rather a collection of outdoor adventures you can have in Moab. Mix-and-match and put together your own perfect weekend of adventure.

Have fun out there! We hope that this detailed itineraries are helpful. And don’t forget to check out our blog for more suggestions on what to do in Southern Utah!