Bryce Canyon National Park - Ruby's Inn

Best Western Ruby's Inn is located two minutes from the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. There is a visitor center and museum in the park. Colorful rock formations, pines and sweeping vistas are photographers' favorites. Popular activities include hiking and sightseeing. Recommended hike start Sunset Point: Navajo and Queen's Garden Trails, 3 miles (4.8 km), takes 2 to 3 hours and climbs 521 feet (159 meters). This is a moderately strenuous walk. Bryce Canyon (Finish seeing the entire park). Best Western Ruby's Inn is located one mile from the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. There is a visitor center and museum in the park. Colorful rock formations, pines and sweeping vistas are photographers' favorites. Popular activities include hiking and sightseeing.

1.5 hr drive from Rubys Inn, allow at least a half-day to see Zion. Zion National Park is located 83 miles from Best Western Ruby's Inn. Zion is noted for the towering rock monoliths and cliffs, the Virgin River and Zion Canyon. It is also a photographer's paradise. Hiking, sightseeing, and horseback rides are among the park's activities. Hiking the Zion Narrows requires a permit. You may wish to take walks to Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock and the "Narrows" via the trail that begins at the Temple of Sinewava. Also stop at the turnout to shoot photos of the park's most famous formation "The Great White Throne." For more adventurous hikers we can tell you more about "Angel's Landing" and other backcountry adventures. If you'd like to make a loop out of your trip, you can venture out the west entrance of the park and then off the road at the town of Rockville and venture to the old Ghost Town of Grafton.  Here you'll see an old school house and other buildings from the early settlers of this community.  It is also the location of a famous movie scene from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  From here you'll follow the well-graded dirt road up the hill and around toward the community of Apple Valley.  You'll pass the Smith's Mesa and circle onto highway 59 and drive through Hildale on to Pipe Spring National Monument, a fort constructed for protection from the Indians along the Arizona Strip. You'll circle through Kanab and back to us near the end of a great day.

Grand Canyon North Rim is a 3 hr drive from Rubys Inn. The quiet North Rim is located 160 miles south of Bryce along US 89 and US 89A, then Hwy 67. Drive along the roads overlooking the Grand Canyon. Hiking and trail rides are among the activities. There is a visitor center and a museum at the park. The drive is spectacular as you pass by Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the western town of Kanab and then make your way up onto the Kaibab Plateau and through the dense forest of Ponderosa Pines. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is just a short drive off Highway 89 (7 miles) and offers beautiful views of reddish colored sand dunes. The north rim of the Grand Canyon is higher than the south rim and it is said that the views are more spectacular. This is different than Zion National Park where you are looking up at formations, at Grand you are on top looking down at it all. There are many trails that you can venture on across the rim or even down into the canyon. Just remember that wherever you go down, you'll need to hike back up. Take a water bottle in any case. You'll need your camera and plenty of film or disk space on your new digital camera. The drive back from the north Rim is spectacular, as you'll be treated to views of the Grand Staircase. Vermilion Cliffs, White Cliffs and Pink Cliffs will be visible in the distance, each one stair-stepping up and above the other.

Capitol Reef is a 2 hr drive from Rubys Inn; allow a half-day in the park. Capitol Reef National Park features colorful cliffs, the Capitol Dome, and the small village of Fruita. The park's entrance is near the junction of Hwy 12 and Hwy 24. There is a visitor center and museum. Hiking, a scenic drive, and bicycling are popular. Return back to Rubys Inn, proceed west on Hwy 24 to Koosharem, proceed on Hwy 62 to Otter Creek, turn left on Hwy 22 traveling through the small farming community of Antimony and continue to Rubys Inn.

Cedar Breaks is a 1-hour drive (47 miles) from Rubys Inn. Travel north on US-89 to Panguitch, turning left on to Hwy 143. Cedar Breaks is located on Hwy 143 past Panguitch Lake. Like a miniature Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks sits high on a forested plateau. In summer, hiking is popular and mountain biking in the surrounding forest is known worldwide. In winter Hwy 148 is closed and becomes a popular snowmobile and cross country ski desination. A visitor center is located at Cedar Breaks. Brian Head Ski Resort is also nearby. Take Hwy 148 to Hwy 14, then west to Cedar City, then I-15 south to Las Vegas, NV.

2 hours and 20 minutes to the Glen Canyon Dam or 2 hours and 15 minutes to Bullfrog. Allow at least a half day to see Lake Powell. The Glen Canyon Dam is located along US 89 near the Utah/Arizona border. To get to Bullfrog Marina drive east on Hwy 12 to Boulder, then south on the Burr Trail. Lake Powell extends 186 miles through Utah and into Arizona. Water sports, houseboats, and fishing are among the popular activities. Slot canyons and the moon-like landscape surrounding the lake make up the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Hiking and photography are popular. Ancient Indian ruins are located throughout the area. Boat rentals are available at the lake but should be reserved in advance.

30 minute drive from Bryce, allow a half to full day Mostly wilderness, the 1.7 million acres was recently designated a national monument. There are ancient Indian ruins, canyons, desert, fossils and unique rock formations. Much of the area is only accessible on foot. Grosvenor Arch, located south of Cannonville and Kodachrome Basin, is the nearest attraction to Bryce. It is located along a dirt road that is impassible when wet. Lower Calf Creek Falls located on Hwy 12 near Boulder, is well worth the 2-1/2 mile hike to the cascading waterfall.

Kodachrome Basin, located 25 minutes from Rubys Inn, is a spectacle of massive sandstone chimneys, ever changing from gray and white to several shades of red with the day's mood. Numerous rocks and coves offer solitude, quiet, and unique desert beauty. (Day use fee of $5.00 is not included). Stop at Grosvenor Arch, located nine miles south of Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Calf Creek Recreation Area is a 1-½ hour drive from Rubys Inn. This 2 3/4 mile (one way) interpretive trail begins from the Calf Creek campground ($2 per vehicle day use fee not included). This hike is moderately difficult on a developed sandy trail, which ends at 126-foot-high Calf Creek Falls. Calf Creek Recreation Area lies between Escalante and Boulder on Scenic Byway 12.

Anasazi State Park in Boulder is 15-minute drive east of Calf Creek. This ancient Indian village in the heart of Utah's canyon country was one of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River. The site is believed to have been occupied from A.D. 1050 to 1200. The village remains largely unexcavated, but many artifacts have been uncovered and are on display in the newly remodeled museum. Day use fee of $5.00 is not included. Stay the night at the Best Western Capitol Reef Resort - 2600 East Hwy 24, in Torrey.