Sunny skies, spectacular natural terrain and long stretches of unfettered highway are the hallmarks of a perfect holiday road trip. The freedom to stop at an overlook, breathe in the fresh air, and gaze at the peaceful, unpopulated vistas before you, melts your stress away as continue down a scenic byway.
Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks, located in the southern portion of the state, are an American treasure. Their stunning, high desert geological landscapes, enticing outdoor activities and scenic byways draw new visitors each year to explore these incredible parks. In last month’s issue, Travel Excursion featured Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, as well as several state parks and local attractions. This month features Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, local attractions and the scenic byways that connect them.
Scenic byways are a great addition to a leisurely road trip and if you are planning to visit Capital Reef National Park or the national parks in Moab, take Scenic Byway 12. The west to east byway starts just off Highway 89, south of Panguitch and spans 124 miles before it intersects with the town of Torrey (five minutes from Capitol Reef). Along the byway, lay the vestiges of ancient seabeds, the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, several state parks, pink and auburn stone towers and desertscapes in an amazing and diversified route. In addition, there are numerous great overlooks and recreation areas as well. One of the coolest parts of Byway 12 is when you reach the top of Boulder Mountain; it is the highest timbered plateau in North America at 11,317 ft. The area is reminiscent of another world with its isolated and blankest solitude. For additional information, visit http://www.scenicbyway12.com.
Capitol Reef National Park, located about three hours from Bryce Canyon, features an enchanting and unique combination of fruit orchards, grassy picnic areas, historic buildings, cliffs and canyons; it is also the least crowded as well. The park encompasses almost a quarter million acres and is mesmerizing with its red rock and tan stratified formations that look like Egyptian-carved temples. Moreover, the park has an incredible 90-minute scenic tour drive loop that highlights a good portion of the sandstone formations and fruit orchards that line the banks of the Fremont River and Sulphur Creek.
Capitol Reef National Park – Utah
The park has a fascinating history from the Paleo-Indian period (about 12,000 years-ago) to the Native American Fremont Culture, who are attributed with the amazing paneled petroglyphs and pictographs that are located on the canyon’s cliffs. In the 1870s, Mormon pioneers settled this remote region and with the abundant water source were able to plant a large number of fruit orchards, such as peaches, pears and apples; they named the area Fruita. Several buildings from the original settlements, as well as many of the orchards have been preserved and are open to visitors of the park. And, during harvest time, it’s free to pick fruit off the trees to eat; a small fee is charged if you take fruit with you. One of the original homes, the Historic Gifford Homestead, is now an interesting museum and depicts rural life in the early 1900s. The museum also features hand-made items (cool, children’s pioneer dolls) and delicious baked goods (tasty fresh pies) that are a perfect snack before you explore the park.
If you like to hike, Capitol Reef offers 15 excellent trails ranging from easy to strenuous. However, the park’s 90-minute driving tour loop is also a fantastic way to see the canyons and cliffs with frequent pullovers to stop and photograph the dazzling scenery. If you want to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch, you have the option of a lovely and grassy park on the banks of Sulphur Creek surrounded by fruit orchards. Or, drive to the end of the paved road and take advantage of the sheltered picnic tables for an incomparable red and gold sandstone peak panorama.
Stop by the Visitor’s Center, located off Highway 24, just a few miles into the park for information on the numerous and fun available activities and camping in Capitol Reef National Park. For additional information, visit www.nps.gov/care.
For accommodations located within a few miles of Capitol Reef, book a stay at the Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse, located in Torrey. This charming, family-owned inn is welcoming and friendly with appealing rooms and comfy decor. The steakhouse restaurant is inviting, homey and serves up scrumptious and hearty, county-style fare (try the sublime special sweet potatoes!). For additional information, visit www.brokenspurinn.com.
Moab, Utah, located in state’s central southeast and close to the Colorado border, is an outdoor enthusiast’s, sightseeing and art lover’s dream. With two national parks, Arches and Canyonlands, as well as the Colorado River and a vibrant arts community, Moab is Utah’s prime resort town. Whether you prefer all-out endurance activities or simply relaxing and taking nature at a slower pace, Moab is the quintessential traveler’s destination. Moreover, the region is so beautiful and dynamic that filmmakers have been shooting movies and commercials in the area since 1939, such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Thelma and Louise and last year, The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp.
Arches National Park is located just a few miles outside of the Moab city center. The park is famous for the iconic sandstone red rock windows or arches that are part of the area’s formations. There are over 13 different hiking trails in arches and a wonderful 80-minute roundtrip driving tour of the park. Although, you are able to see many outstanding views, sandstone pinnacles and arches from your car, walking is the only way to appreciate the grandeur and scope of this magnificent area. As you enter the park, the Visitor’s Center is located on the ride side of the road. It is important to get information on trails and conditions before you begin your exploration of Arches. And, bring plenty of water, as there are no food facilities in the park.
For a short one-mile walk/hike, take the North Window and South Window Loop. This trail leads to both of the windows, as well as the Turret Arch and features a mild grade of stepping-stones along the path. Bring your camera for this visual feast and try to include a person in the photo by the window arches to provide scale and perspective. If you’re up to a more challenging hike, drive to the Devil’s Garden Area and take the Devil’s Garden Trailhead to the Primitive Loop. This trail will lead to several astonishing vistas, as well as the Double O Arch and Landscape Arch. For additional information, visit www.nps.gov/arch.
Canyonlands National Park is considered by many to be more impressive and stunning than the Grand Canyon. This rugged country of canyons, mesas and buttes is vast with numerous regions, such as the Island in the Sky, The Maze, The Needles and the rivers themselves, set against the backdrop of the snow-capped La Sal Mountains. Visitors journey to Canyonlands to bike, hike (17 different trails), climb, boat, camp and go four-wheel driving in this primitive desert country where the Ancient Puebloans once lived atop soaring mesas.
One of the best and safest ways to experience Canyonlands is to take a guided four-wheel tour, especially if you have limited time to see both national parks. An experienced and trained guide can provide fascinating insights to the desert plants, such as the yellow flowering Fremont Mahonia that smell like honey and cinnamon. They explain the importance of the black nodules of fragile cryptobiotic soil and it roll as life for desert plants. Guides are also knowledgeable about the geology and history of the park as well, while revealing sites that most visitors wouldn’t be able to see. These four-wheel tours start at the bottom of a canyon, and follow the old mining paths up to the top of the mesas. They traverse the rugged desert and red rock sandstone to arrive at jaw-dropping expanses that will touch your soul.
In Utah
A highly recommended company is Tag-A-Long Tours, located in Moab (ask for Bill!). This company excels in safety, experienced and trained guides and offers the best tours in Moab. The enclosed four-wheel vehicles are amazingly comfortable and spacious enough leaving room for your party and your gear. The Canyonlands tour takes about four to five hours with journeys through remote sites with fascinating desert plants and stops at must-see overlooks. Short walks to major viewpoints, such as the Mesa Arch are stellar for photography as well. Moreover, the tour continues on to Dead Horse Point that overlooks Fossil Point, the famous movie site from Thelma and Louise where Gina Davis and Susan Sarandon hold hands as they drive off the cliff. For additional information on the Canyonlands and Tag-A-Long Tours, visit www.nps.gov/cany www.tagalong.com.
Moab is a great arts town and more artists live in this area than anywhere else in Utah. Take a stroll down Main Street and stop in at the galleries that line both sides of the thoroughfare. Exquisite, Native American made jewelry, vibrant nature painting, sculpture and photography are just a few of the fabulous art galleries to discover. There are also superb sports outfitters for all of your hiking and camping needs, as well as several reputable bike shops that sell, rent and repair. For additional information on Moab, visit http://www.discovermoab.com.
Restaurants in Moab are excellent and range from Italian to tapas. Two restaurants that are recommended: Pasta Jay’s and Jailhouse Cafe. Pasta Jay’s is a bustling and lively establishment that serves delectable Italian food. Their fettuccine alfredo is divine and made with fresh with pure cream. Jailhouse Cafe was indeed once a jail and they only serve breakfast. The building is small (must not have been much crime in the old days in Moab) but they have an adjacent restaurant next door. They serve a tremendous breakfast with their signature Ginger Pancakes as a number on seller. Arrive early, as there is always a line.
For top accommodations in town, the Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn provides great spacious rooms with newly remodeled stylish decor, a full breakfast and internet. The hotel is located right on Main Street and they are a wonderful place to relax and get rested before your next outdoor adventure. The beds are very comfortable as well. For additional information, visit www.canyonlandsinn.com.
Utah’s National Parks are a vital legacy for our nation and the world. They are a link to our past and are an important gift for future generations. It is important that we visit, cherish and preserve these magnificent parks so that they will continue to be an inspiration for all who come to these mighty lands! For additional information on Utah’s National Parks, visit www.visitutah.com.
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