JCee

I'm in the process of planning a trip to S. Utah this summer. I have some specific questions and would greatly appreciate any advice and/or information . FYI - Our childresn are 10, 13 and 17 Thanks in advance!

1) We were unable to secure a reservation inside of Bryce. We are staying at Ruby's. It sounds SO touristy! Is it horrible?

2) Has anyone ever gone to the rodeo outside of Bryce (it may be connected with Ruby's). If so, what is it like?

3) We are planning to take a 1/2 day mule ride into Bryce. Apparently Ruby's offers this too. Anyone have info on Ruby's mule tour cost/content versus others?

4) Has anyone taken a float trip (on the Virgin River) outside of Zion (city of Springdale)? Is this worthwhile? Are reservations needed ahead of time?

5) Has anyone taken a jeep tour into Antelope Canyon (near Powell)? We are looking into Antelopetours.com and wanted to know if its worthwhile.

6) Any info on Austin's Chuckwagon Motel in Torrey? This looked a little nicer than some of the chains.

Syv

Can't answer your specifics except in regard to #3 - I think personally I would prefer the mule/horseback ride IN Bryce (not TO Bryce) that goes down into the canyon. It was great!

utahtea

#4 If you are going in summer the Virgin river will probably be to low for the float trip. Check the place you were going to book it.

What is fun is to rent intertubes in Springdale and tube the Virgin river.

#5 I've never done Antelope Canyon but I hope to do it this summer.

Utahtea

Dayle

Hi JCee,

I just typed a long response and the server suddenly died! Argghhhh!

1 - No Ruby's isn't horrible, but it is touristy. You're just there to sleep anyway.

2 - The rodeo is run by Ruby's also. It's pretty good, Utah riders and real rodeo stock. the "mutton busters" are cute. Little kids ride sheep and rarely cry when they get dumped, which is pretty fast.

3 - Ruby's has several rides to choose from. Most people go down into the canyon. They also have an all day ride where you trailer out to the Natl Forest land, ride up a mountain and stop for lunch. Definitely for experienced riders who can ride all day and are not afraid of heights. They also have a very nice ride in Red Rock Canyon that is about 2 1/2 hours if I remember. Very pretty and easy.

Can't answer about Antelope Canyon. I haven't been there yet, but there are many slot canyons in southern Utah.

Have fun!

mahoneycutt

Can't help with 1-3, 6

4. Float trip on Virgin River - the Virgin river in Zion (and I believe it also flows through Springdale) were too shallow to float when we were there (March 2002).

5. Search this board for Antelope Canyon, and you'll see most people love it. You can pay the nice Navajo lady at the gate ($17.50?) and she'll take you to the canyon for a one hour self-guided tour. The canyon has to be less than 100 yards long, so you can easily tour it yourself. We had several guided tours in the canyon with us, and I would encourage everyone to tip the guide if you find yourself enjoying his/her stories about the canyon.

Mike Honeycutt