Southern Utah is a place of beauty and adventure. And few things are as exciting as the narrow canyons that lace the area. Eons ago, water began to carve into the sandstone formations, creating these narrow, slot canyons. Some are barely wide enough to allow a person to pass through; others are significantly wider. But they are all cool. Read More
Zion National Park is one of the greatest places on earth. We at the Lodge at Red River Ranch recommend that anyone who comes to Utah (especially if you’re coming from overseas) check out Zion. But since Zion is so huge, and so crowded in summer, it pays to do a little planning ahead. Here are our recommendations for the first time visitor in Zion National Park. Read More
April is one of our favorite months. The birds are back from their migrations, the fruit trees are blossoming and the desert sage is bright and fragrant. It is fitting that April is also the month in which the celebrations of Earth Day and Arbor Day (or, Arbor and Bird Awareness Day) are observed. There is nothing like springtime to make you appreciate nature. Read More
This part of Southern Utah was infamous during the Old West. Butch Cassidy frequented the high desert country of Wayne County, hiding out in places like Little Crazy Horse Canyon and Robber’s Roost. Even today these places are relatively unvisited and they continue to reinforce a strong (even mythical) connection to the past. Read More
One of the most scenic, and remote, back roads in this part of Southern Utah is Hell’s Backbone. The Civilian Conservation Corp built this road in 1933 to let vehicles drive between Boulder and Escalante. Mail and other goods continued to be transported into Boulder by mule until 1940. Today most people drive Scenic Highway 12 between Boulder and Escalante, and Hell’s Backbone is seldom used. (Don’t get us wrong, we love Highway 12, but we love Hell’s Backbone too.) Read More