Southern Utah is home to hundreds and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. But when you’ve already hiked until your feet ache, you’re sick of the heat, or you just need a change, you might start searching for other ways to see the sights. You’ll find no shortage of options.
From riding horses to faster-paced adventures on ATVs, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Southern Utah without hiking. Here are just a few you can choose from.
Canyoneering
Okay, so you’ll need to do a bit of hiking to get to this activity. But once there, you’ll strap in and descend by rope into an entirely new world of exploring the area.
Canyoneering is a popular way for adventure-lovers to experience many of the national and state parks in the area. Near Torrey, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is perhaps the best spot for canyoneering.
While canyoneering on your own, without a guide, requires knowledge, training, and practice, visitors the park can still get a taste of the sport safely and without having to buy gear by booking a tour. You don’t need any prior experience to give it a try. By booking through Cougar Ridge, you can choose from tours anywhere from 4 to 6 miles and rappelling between 80 and 275-feet. We can even accommodate guests as young as 7-years-old, making this a great family-friendly way to experience a new, adrenaline-inducing activity.
ATV/UTV Tours
ATVs and UTVs are a fast, fun activity that will take you on some of the areas rough back trails. Book a 2 or 4-hour guided trip for your and up to 4 other guests to see more land in Wayne County than you could ever hope to cover on foot in a half-day or more of hiking!
Jeep Tours
If you want to explore the backroads but want something a bit less adventurous than ATV or UTV tours, a Jeep tour is a great alternative. You won’t even have to drive; simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights. This activity is ideal for all ages, as well as those who may be unable to enjoy the sights on foot. They’ll still get to experience the parks and surrounding areas up close, but without needing to take a single step!
Choose from a variety of tour options in a variety of lengths and with many different destinations. One of our favorites is a 6-hour ride that takes you into Cathedral Valley.
Horseback Riding
While it may not be quite as fast-paced as some of the other options on this list, horseback riding is still a not-to-be-missed way to explore Southern Utah. In fact, it’s the very way that early settlers to the region saw and explored it.
Choose from trails winding through the red rocks or climbing from lake to lake on Boulder Mountain. We offer tours as short as 2 hours, or even full-day trips. Guests as young as 8-years-old can join, making this another unforgettable family adventure.
Stargazing
You won’t cover much ground during a stargazing party. But you will get to see and experience one of the region’s most beautiful features.
Lie back, look up, and take in more stars than you’ve likely seen in one place in your entire life. That is, unless you’re lucky enough to live in another dark sky community like Torrey.
Mountain Biking
If you’re a biking enthusiast, you’ve come to the right place. Capitol Reef National Park is known for its heart-pounding mountain bike trails.
With 12 trails total, you can choose from the stunning scenery of the 19-mile Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, the more strenuous 14-mile Tantalus Flats, or any of the other great options.
Scenic Drives
After a long day of hiking or enjoying any of the other great activities on this list, you can always hop in your car and hit the road to see more beautiful scenery and breathtaking landscapes. There are plenty of scenic drives to choose from.
You could cruise the 75-mile ride from Loa to Hanksville, which takes you through Capitol Reef, over the green valley of the Fremont River, and past countless other overlooks. Or simply ride the 25-miles through Capitol Reef at different times of day. Go early in the morning for fewer crowds and a chance to spot wildlife. Hit the road just before sunset for views you won’t soon forget.
Planning the Perfect Visit to Torrey
If you’re able to, you’ll definitely want to plan for a bit of hiking during your visit to Torrey. But that doesn’t mean that the only way to explore the region is on foot. No matter how you choose to enjoy the area, you’re certain to be treated to gorgeous sights, picture-perfect moments, and memories that will last a lifetime.
