A visit to Chuckwagon Lodge wouldn’t be complete without some time in Capitol Reef National Park. Our Torrey Utah resort is located less than five miles from the entrance to this beautiful national park. Once inside, you’ll find no shortage of ways to fill a day, several days, or even a week or more. There are hiking trails in a range of difficulties, scenic drives, off-road tours, and even the historic town of Fruita to explore.
But while Capitol Reef and the town of Torrey have plenty to offer, Chuckwagon Lodge is also a great base camp for enjoying some day trips to other Southern Utah destinations. From state parks to other national parks and forests, keep reading to learn a few of the best day trips to take during your visit.
1. Arches National Park
One popular day trip to take from our Torrey Utah resort is Arches National Park. This park is located less than three hours from Chuckwagon Lodge. It’s home to more than 2,000 of the incredible natural stone arches that it is named for. These range from small, unnamed arches to popular ones like Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and Double Arch.
If you’re planning to visit our Torrey resort from April 1 to October 31 and want to take a day trip to Arches, you’ll need to purchase a Timed Entry Ticket. Tickets are required to enter the park between 7 am and 4 pm daily—something you’ll definitely want to do during your day trip.
You can purchase a ticket by visiting the National Park Service’s website up to three months prior to the month of your visit. For instance, if you want to visit Arches in August, tickets go on sale starting May 1. Tickets often sell out in advance, so you’ll want to purchase yours as early as possible. If you’re visiting from the beginning of November through the end of March, you won’t need a ticket to enter the park.
Can’t make it to Arches during your stay at Chuckwagon Lodge? You can still check out a few natural arches even closer to our Torrey Utah resort. Capitol Reef National Park is home to several arches. Two of the most popular and easy to hike to are Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch.
2. Otter Creek State Park
Located just one hour from Chuckwagon is Otter Creek State Park. While popular with locals, this state park is often overlooked by visitors. But besides some stunning views, this state park also offers a range of activities you won’t find in Utah’s national parks.
One of Otter Creek’s central features is the Otter Creek Reservoir. This prime fishery is a popular spot to cast a line for rainbow and brown trout, smallmouth bass, and more. The park also offers designated off-roading areas and hiking. Otter Creek Reservoir is located along the Pacific Migratory Bird Flyway, and during the spring and fall, bird-watching enthusiasts flock to the park for sightings of migrating birds.
3. Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
If you’re looking to learn a little more about the history of the first people to inhabit Southern Utah, plan a day trip to Fremont Indian State Park and Museum. The site is part state park, part history museum. You can visit real petroglyphs and pictographs created by the Fremont Indians, on the site of a former village. In the museum, you can view a variety of artifacts recovered on-site, including pottery, baskets, and arrowheads. There are also several hiking trails to help you take in the views.
This state park is located just an hour and a half from our Torrey Utah resort. But if you want to see petroglyphs and don’t have time in your itinerary to visit Fremont Indian State Park and Museum, don’t fret. The Capitol Reef petroglyphs are just a short drive away from our resort.
4. Fishlake National Forest
The stunning red rock scenery that surrounds our Torrey Utah resort and Capitol Reef National Park make for some beautiful views. But you don’t have to go far to experience a whole different side of Utah.
Fishlake National Forest is located less than an hour and a half from Chuckwagon Lodge. This park is filled with mountain meadows, clear lakes, and lush aspen forests. From bird watching to fishing to hiking, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The national forest is also home to some wildlife you won’t see in Capitol Reef, like mountain goats, moose, black bears, elk, and wild turkeys.
One must-see in Fishlake National Forest is Pando. Pando is a massive aspen clone that originated from a single seed, and now weighs some 13 million pounds and covers more than 106 acres.
Planning Your Next Stay at Our Torrey Utah Resort
There’s plenty to do right here at Chuckwagon Lodge. From visiting nearby Capitol Reef National Park to spending an afternoon relaxing poolside, you could easily fill your entire visit. But if you’re looking to explore, our Torrey Utah resort is the perfect basecamp for enjoying a few day trips.
Ready to start planning your own itinerary for your Southern Utah adventure? Book your stay at Chuckwagon Lodge today!
