Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHERE TO STAY IN & AROUND CAPITOL REEF
There are no lodging or dining facilities in the park; the town of
Torrey,
just west of the
park entrance, can take care of most needs. Room tax adds just over 10% to lodging
bills.
Austin's Chuckwagon Motel
This attractive family-owned and -operated motel
offers a wide range of options. The well-maintained property includes modern motel
rooms, which have Southwestern decor, phones, and two queen-size beds; and a family
suite with a large living room, fully equipped kitchen, and three bedrooms that sleep six.
Our choice here, however, is one of the plush but still Western-style cabins. Measuring
576 square feet, each cabin has two bedrooms (each with a queen-size bed), a living room
with a queen-size sofa bed, a complete kitchen, a full bathroom, a covered porch, and a
small yard with a barbecue grill and a picnic table. The grounds are attractively land-
scaped, with a lawn and large trees; also on the property is a grocery store/bakery with a
well-stocked deli that prepares hot and cold sandwiches. All rooms are smoke-free.
12 W. Main St. (P.O. Box 750180), Torrey, UT 84775.
&
800/863-3288
or 435/425-3335. Fax 435/425-3434.
www.austinschuckwagonmotel.com. 24 units. Motel rooms $75 double (lower rates Mar and Nov); cab-
ins $135 for up to 4; family suite $150 double. AE, DISC, MC, V. Closed Dec-Feb.
Amenities:
Deli; outdoor
pool; whirlpool.
In room:
A/C, TV, Wi-Fi.
Capitol Reef Inn & Cafe
Value
This older, Western-style motel—small, beautifully
landscaped, and well maintained—offers homey, comfortable guest rooms with solid
wood furnishings, not fancy but completely adequate. One unit has a shower/tub com-
bination; the rest have showers only. Facilities include a playground and a lovely desert
garden. The topic and gift shop offers American Indian crafts, guidebooks, and maps.
The
Cafe
(see below) offers some of Utah's best locally grown and healthful cuisine.
360 W. Main St. (Utah 24), Torrey, UT 84775.
&
435/425-3271.
www.capitolreefinn.com. 10 units. $53
double. AE, DISC, MC, V. Closed Nov-Mar.
Amenities:
Restaurant; large hot tub.
In room:
A/C, TV, fridge.
SkyRidge Inn Bed & Breakfast
A B&B and an art gallery, this place offers
a delightful alternative to the standard motel. Rooms in the three-story Territorial-style
inn are distinctively decorated with an eclectic mix of antiques and contemporary art.
Two have private decks with hot tubs; another has a two-person whirlpool tub inside and
a private deck. The inn sits on 75 acres, with hiking trails and spectacular views. Full
breakfasts include homemade granola, fresh-baked coffeecake or muffins, and a hot
entree such as pecan griddlecakes served with maple breakfast sausage. Smoking is not
permitted.
950 E. Utah 24 (P.O. Box 750220), Torrey, UT 84775.
&
800/448-6990
or 435/425-3222. www.skyridgeinn.
com. 6 units. Apr-Oct $129-$175 double; Nov-Mar $119-$152 double. Rates include breakfast and
evening hors d'oeuvres. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Whirlpool tub.
In room:
A/C, TV/VCR, CD player, hair dryer,
Wi-Fi.
581
17
Camping
The 71-site
Fruita Campground
, open year-round, is delightful, with plenty of
trees and a forest atmosphere. It offers modern restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables,
fire grills, and an RV dump station (open in summer only), but no showers or RV hook-
ups. It's along the main park road, 1 mile south of the visitor center. Water may be turned
off in winter, leaving only pit toilets. Camping costs $10; reservations are not accepted.
The park also has two
primitive campgrounds,
free and open year-round on a first-
come, first-served basis. Both have tables, fire grills, and pit toilets, but no water. Check
