Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Information and Map
Isolation needn’t mean total sacrifice. And, The Lodge at Red River Ranch had all the right surprises to comfortably pad our relative seclusion outside of Capitol Reef National Park. It took a certain amount of faith to drive past the kitschy mini-jumble of Torrey, Utah in hopes that neighboring Teasdale would eventually materialize along the vast expanse ahead. We carefully noted the food stops and gas stations along the way; the remote stretches of Utah had taught us to plan ahead for our “essentials”.
The tall-timbered ranch entry was our landmark; a sturdy “welcome” amongst the mountain-fringed pastures. I had been told to look for a grove of trees far off of the main road, and finally, there it was at the end of a long graveled drive. Our oasis.
The Lodge is an elegantly and comfortably appointed mega-log cabin: a great destination for groups, both large and small family-sized. Our adjoining rooms, connected by both a generous bathroom and a hallway, were on the third floor and gave us plenty of privacy.
Exposed beams, high ledges and deep teal-colored walls pleasantly counterbalanced some of the more dainty room furnishings. We had no need for the fireplaces in July but relished the breezes and mountain-views accessible from our private balconies.
Some very personable kittens played on the east porch downstairs…
…and a herd of bison roamed the front fields.
There are six miles of private river for catch-and-release fly-fishing and pastures for horseback riding. A single wooden plank swing dangles charmingly from a cottonwood limb arched some thirty feet above the gravel front drive. Hannah and I found this to be a terrific “cool-down” after our morning runs around the property. Breakfast was always a plentiful plateful, with homemade nut breads and luscious fruits. We ordered “light,” ate very well, and always ended up with some “carry-up-for-later”. The dinner menu held some intriguing options but was definitely a more upscale affair than my group of hikers needed or wanted. Maybe next time…
The dining room, with its decorative tin ceiling and massive pillared beams is a place to linger. Its bank of windows overlooks an expansive front porch edged with a profusion of swaying flowers and well-patronized hummingbird feeders.
A basement rec room houses table soccer, a ping pong table, a TV, and an assortment of toys. It also has a community computer, but free wi-fi in our rooms was our better option.The Lodge was our most expensive accommodation but well worth the splurge. And happily, there was some flexibility on the published rate (It never hurts to ask!). Concerned that we’d be too crowded in the room I’d originally selected, the owner knocked enough off the rate of our larger suite to make it an acceptable option.
On our second evening, we settled into the jumbo-sized hot tub on the late edge of sunset and watched the mountains cast long shadows as the sun dipped ever lower beyond the orchard. We talked. We laughed. The edges of the deck walk glowed with strings of light and stars dotted the blackened sky…
Capitol Reef National Park: Visitor Information and Map
Capitol Reef National Park (Torrey, Utah)
378 miles of colorful canyons and ridges…
Slot canyons, rock arches and monoliths Pick-your-own fruit (June – Oct)
HC 70 Box 15; Torrey, UT 84775
435-425-3791 x 111
Park Website
Park Hours: Open year-round; see website for details
Entrance Fee: $3.00/individuals or $5.00/private vehicle Valid for 7 days. Annual pass available.
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More on Capitol Reef National Park
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fitness center is small but adequate, containing weight and cardio machines as well as free weights. A nicely sized outdoor pool stretches from the upper patio to beneath a shaded overhang. The lower garden area features cushioned Adirondack chairs (perfect for morning coffee), a gazebo and a rock waterfall that attracts large numbers of hummingbirds. An attentive staff facilitated our smooth and enjoyable three night stay. I’m not a fan of hotel parking fees; the additional $18 per day charge was my only significant negative.
