Southern Utah questions
 

We're headed back to Utah in the fall and have our itinerary set: 2 nights in Springdale, 2 nights in Boulder, 2 nights in Torrey, 3 nights in Moab, 2 nights at North Rim. Has anyone stayed at the Capital Reef Inn in Torrey? How about Kokopelli Inn in Moab? Also, any recommended hikes at Capital Reef or Canyonlands? Thanks for your help.

Can't help you with the lodging as I camp or backpack. Some of the hikes you might like to check into in Capitol Reef are Hickman Bridge (natural bridge) Capitol Gorge (petroglyphs, historic names and narrows) the pullout on Hwy 24 to view the petroglyphs right next to the road. Goosenecks of Sulfur Creek (narrows). If you have a high clearance vehicle a spectacular view is off the Burr Trail at the Strike Valley Overlook in late afternoon. An excellent view of the Waterpocket Fold. If you travel Hwy 12 an excellent but wet hike is along the Escalante River near the Calf Creek Rec Area. Natural arches, ruins and petroglyphs. You are in and out of water the entire time. Late October the cottonwoods are beautiful especially from the overlook off Hwy 12 just before you cross the Escalante River.
In Canyonlands without a high clearance vehicle you are limited to where you can get to. Try Mesa Arch for sunrise then go to Grand View Point overlook where can view Monument Basin. The Shafer Trail takes you down onto the White Rim Trail (need permit). In the Needles area stop at Newspaper Rock State park for outstanding petroglyph panel. Excellent hike is to Chesler Park and Joint Trail. In a detached area near Hanksville is a long dirt road leading to the trailhead of the Great Gallery. It is a 7 mile hike to some of the most magnificent pictographs you will see. You can do it on your own or on a ranger led hike which will allow you up next to the art work. Check out their website for details.

Hi Sharondi,

I live in Utah and was just in Moab and Capital Reef for a week. The Capital Reef Inn looked OK to me. Just your basic, small town no frills motel. They have a rather good restaurant too. The food is good and reasonably prices, the service a little spotty as you might expect in a tiny town.

I stayed at the Chuckwagon Motel just for one night (since it was snowing). Another typically adequate motel. Nice owners.

Three nice hikes outside the Natl Parks in Moab: Negro Bill Canyon, Corona Arch, Fisher Towers in Castle Valley. Just pick up some info at the Moab Visitor's Center and they'll have these hikes detailed for you. All are very scenic and only Negro Bill Canyon is more than 2 miles.

In Canyonlands the Mesa Arch is really great. Awesome views with great photo ops. I would try to be there at late afternoon or sunset.

If not camping, I stay at the Dreamkeeper Inn in Moab. Wonderful B&B with fabulous breakfasts. Jim & Kathy are lovely people. Book ahead, they only have 6 rooms. Huge, shady yard with grass, pool, hot tub. Great location, within walking distance to everything on Main Street Moab.

Have fun!

PS - to clarify Photodog's answer: You don't need a permit to drive the Shafer Trail. You do need a permit to go onto the White Rim road, but you wouldn't want to do either without 4x4.

Great information! Thanks so much. We're renting a 4WD SUV and planning to leave Boulder via Burr Trail headed to Torrey on the Notom Rd along the Fold. Any idea where to see moqui marbles or any other odd features to photograph? We are also hiking to the Great Gallery. Without the ranger we won't be able to get up close? Thanks again. Any other information is appreciated.
Sharon

i stayed at capitol reef inn and chuckwagon in torrey. both nice, chuckwagon has large pool and is newer. capitol reef inn owner is building a wonderful kiva on the property. i liked their restaurant. my room had a shower only. torrey is tiny, you can stand in the road and see the edge of town on all sides, framed by red cliffs and boulder mountain. i loved it. you can pack a lunch at the chuckwagon store or the c.r. inn for your hikes.

also stayed at moab's kokopelli inn. it is old and small, small, small. hard to close the bathroom door from the inside, it's so small. shower only. small yard, small parallel parking space right next to the small sidewalk outside the small room. last year i stayed at the best inn, much more comfortable. great pillows.

Last August we stayed at the Best Western Canyonlands in Moab - it was EXCELLENT! They have family suites, which accomodated our family of 5, wonderful comp. breakfast (eat inside or by the pool) and located right in town, so easy to walk to shops, restaurants. The rate was also pretty reasonable. Our only regret is that we only had 1 night on Moab.

We did the Noton Road to Burr Trail many years ago. The Noton Road for about 10 miles off Hwy 24 is scenic with view of the white domes of Capiol Reef but the rest of the trips until we went up the grade to the Burr trail was rough and boring. The Burr Trail is worth it but it's paved until you go down the switch backs.

I highly recommend taking the Shafer Trail up to Canyonlands, you can take a short trip on the White Rim trail to Musselman arch. After visiting Canyonlands take Long Canyon (4x4 road) back to Moab!

Utahtea