Please note, if you plan to visit Arches National Park during the day, advanced “Timed” reservations are required April through October for 2022. This is a new requirement and meant to guarantee a day visit to the most popular National Park in Utah. Please click on the following link to read more information, https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisitpermitsandreservations.htm and gather additional knowledge regarding Arches.
Situated just north of Moab in eastern Utah, Arches National Park features some of the most unique rock formations in the entire country. Sometimes referred to simply as "Arches", this national park sits alongside the Colorado River and is home to 2,000 naturally occurring sandstone arches.
Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and Balanced Rock are just a few of the famous formations that attract countless couples throughout the year. When visiting this stunning part of Utah, you'll no doubt be searching for some equally stunning Arches National Park hotels. If you're looking for high-end accommodations with private rooms and free breakfast, the River Rock Inn is a great choice.
Nestled in the southeastern portion of Utah, Canyonlands National Park is one of the most popular places to visit in the area. Often considered the little brother of the Grand Canyon, this park features miles of canyons stretching as far as the eye can see. These breathtaking canyons were carved by the Colorado River over thousands of years - just like at the Grand Canyon. Despite its smaller size, Canyonlands National Park deserves a visit of its own. In fact, you could easily spend an entire week in the park and just barely scratch the surface of what it has to offer.
Island in the Sky, a plateau with panoramic views of the park, is one of the most popular spots in the park. Some other features worthy of a visit include Horseshoe Canyon where you can see ancient rock paintings and the Needles which features towering rock formations. When visiting this breathtaking part of Utah, you'll be looking for ideal hotels near Canyonlands National Park
The River Rock Inn is a comfortable and conveniently located choice. It features free breakfast, high-end rooms, relaxing common areas, and much more.
Visit Green River in your electric vehicle without worrying about getting home. With multiple charging stations nearby, you can enjoy your time away with one less worry. Charge your vehicle at the Tesla Supercharging station less than a mile away from River Rock Inn.
Goblin Valley State Park is one of Utah’s most popular state parks, with a unique 3,654-acre landscape. Along with nearby Bryce Canyon, Goblin Valley State Park is a place where visitors can see some of the largest “hoodoos” in the world. These tall, Entrada Sandstone pillars have been eroded over millions of years to create an array of peculiar formations that scatter this desert valley. Visitors come to this section of the San Rafael Desert to explore the thousands of mushroom-shaped pillars resembling stone “goblins”, which give the park its name. Goblin Valley looks very different from the rest of Utah’s landscape, but is just as beautiful. Visitors can choose from a variety of fun things to do in the area, including camping, hiking, mountain biking, and disc golf. If you look closely, you may even come across ancient petroglyphs and pictographs left behind by the Fremont, Paiute and other Native American residents.
For park entrance fees, visit the Goblin Valley State Park website.
If you prefer to lay your head down in a room with Egyptian cotton bedding, hot running water, cable TV, and Complimentary WIFI, come over to River Rock Inn. Reserve your room and enjoy your day full of Goblin Valley activities.
A part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is high desert country, vastly different from the Sonoran desert of the Southwest. In some sections, it is a sweeping country with towering mesas, buttes, and pinnacles rising from flat desert floors. In other areas, it boasts rolling pasturelands populated with antelope and wild horses; and just around the bend it can become an incredibly wild broken land with streams cutting through slot canyons that open up to panoramic vistas.
There are numerous roads that only four-wheel drive vehicles can negotiate. Spring and fall are ideal seasons to explore this country because temperatures are usually moderate. Summer days can be uncomfortably hot. Winter nights get very cold but winter days are often mild - very pleasant for hiking, biking and jeeping.
The San Rafael Swell is a large remote area in central/eastern Utah that is split in half by Interstate 70. It extends from near Hanksville to the south all the way north to near Price and from Green River on its eastern side for about 70 miles west, encompassing over 2000 square miles. Access is usually made via I-70, or Price for the northern Swell, while I-70 and highway 24 provide access to the southern portion of the swell.
The Swell is very diverse. The eastern and southern reef sections contain many great narrow slot canyons, while the interior of the Swell boasts expansive flat areas, broad canyons, cliffs and towers. There are many remnants of old uranium mines, homesteads and signs of Indian occupation. It goes without saying, but always stay out of and away from any old mines you may come across. They are unstable and may contain deadly gasses.
Due to the remoteness, you should always have extra food, water and fuel when venturing off pavement. Most areas of the swell require a significant drive from pavement to access them.
This classic slot canyon located near Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse Canyon is a popular hiking spot for all travelers. The main attractions are the narrow paths where you have to walk sideways to get through. Many hikers travel a short distance, then return the way they came in, or for the more adventurous types, follow the trails to Bell Canyon; a hike of about 8 miles. Visiting is best in the Spring and Fall, since rain can become a problem during the Summer months.
Little Wild Horse Canyon is named for the herds of wild mustangs that have roamed the San Rafael Swell since the early 1800s. These wild herds originally descended from horses that escaped from travelers along the Old Spanish Trail trade route between New Mexico and California. To the south of Green River is the Robbers Roost Herd Area, home to wild mustangs and burros. The 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act declared these animals to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.” The Bureau of Land Management works to maintain a healthy balance between these wild herds and the other wildlife and livestock on public lands.
The Rochester Rock Art Panel is a half mile and takes about an hour to hike. It features ancient petroglyphs dating back at least 2500 years ago. The panel is at the end of a well marked, easy hike along a branch of Muddy Creek. The popular hiking trail to the Rochester Panel is great for all ages and abilities. Though a little rocky and primitive, the trail to the petroglyphs is only a half mile with 80 feet of elevation gain. The trail ends upon joining the main branch of Muddy Creek, an ancient river course that predates the rise of the San Rafael uplift 40 to 60 million years ago.
Joes Valley Reservoir is 7000 feet above sea level and offers good fishing for cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, tiger muskie and trophy lake. Boating, water skiing and canoeing are popular on the lake. A boat ramp is located nearby on the eastern shoreline. Horseback riding, bouldering, hiking and mountain biking are popular in the area as well. The boat ramp area has a large parking lot for day-use and overflow parking. Day use picnic areas near the boat ramp and there are staging areas for the Arapeen ATV trails near the north and west sides of the lake.
Black Dragon Canyon is a popular site for rock art enthusiasts. Pictographs (painted art) and petroglyphs (carved art) are spread out along the base of the high canyon walls. The rock art was created by the Fremont Culture, who inhabited the region about 2000 years ago. In addition to the artwork, they left other evidence of their way of life including campsites, stone granaries, and tools for hunting. In addition to the namesake art, there are other images that archeologists speculate were part of an ancient calendar system.
The famous rock art is located at the start of the canyon, but those looking to hike or bike back into the canyon should keep their eyes on the canyon walls, as more art can be found tucked amongst the rock outcrops.
Black Dragon Wash Trail is a 6.2 mile trail located near Green River, Utah that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, mountain biking, and on and off-road driving and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
An old jeep track provides a level walking surface for most of the hike. About 200 yards past the overhang, you'll find a panel of exceptional ancient drawings. The canyon forks less than two miles in, below tall sculpted sandstone walls. The south fork heads back towards Interstate 70 and the north fork offers more fascinating canyon walls.
Start your adventure with a great night’s sleep at River Rock Inn. With fresh breakfast in the morning, you will be energized for your hike through Black Dragon. Book your room now to stay in our American-Western themed rooms with comfortable pillow-top beds and warm, luxurious towels.
Swasey’s Beach is a white sand oasis on the Green River with shallow waters perfect for little ones to take a dip in when Summer afternoons are hot. The beach is shaded by cottonwood trees along the Book Cliffs and is a frequent watering hole for wild bighorn sheep. As a designated recreational area there are public restrooms, free daytime boat access, a campground, picnic area, and lots of family-friendly fun waiting to be had.
Cool off in the water during a hot day exploring the Book Cliffs. This popular watering hole is a great place to spend the hottest part of the day.
Green River State Park Golf Course is a "hidden gem" golf oasis on the banks of the Green River. Back-dropped by the Book Cliffs Mountains towering in the distance, the elevated tees and greens add character to a relaxing yet challenging round of golf. The course offers fairways along the Green River lined with mature cottonwood trees and a practice range to work on your drive.
Green River Golf Course also features a new championship-level 18-hole disc golf course with disc golf supplies and rentals available at the clubhouse. Whether you swing or throw, you'll love a trip to Green River State Park Golf Course.
Photo from aztecnm.com
Located on the bank of the Green River in Green River, Utah, the John Wesley Powell River History Museum explores the history and cultural importance that the Green River plays in Utah's growth and expansion. The museum boasts exhibits detailing the life of John Wesley Powell and the history of the Colorado Plateau. In addition, the museum has a life-size boat room, a dinosaur exhibit, and an art gallery featuring art from all over the state.
This is a perfect place to visit on days when the weather doesn't allow for outdoor adventures or for those who wish to understand a little more about the importance the Green River played in the development of Utah culture.