Boulder Mountain Lodge

Spend your day horseback riding over desert slickrock. Hike to a 126-foot waterfall. Explore Utah's wildest, most remote sandstone canyons on a llama or horse-pack trip. Mountain bike, rock climb, go fly fishing, or bird watch from the balcony (our grounds include an 11-acre bird sanctuary). And drive magnificent Highway 12, named one of the top-ten scenic drives in America by Car and Driver Magazine, and the best tour of Utah's red-rock desert that can be taken in a short trip, a weekend or even a single day by The New York Times.

Or just do absolutely, fabulously nothing.

Simply relax in front of the fire in our cozy common room. Enjoy the luxury of a massage in your room. Dine at award-winning, Zagat-rated Hell's Backbone Grill, where the cuisine and service are beyond exquisite. At night, gather with friends around our outdoor stone fire pit or watch the stars from the outdoor hot tub. And feel your mind and soul unwind in this tranquil land of romantic, dramatic beauty.

The possibilities in and around Boulder are virtually endless. Come stay with us and discover for yourself why Boulder, Utah, is the perfect year-round destination.

Questions about an activity or destination not listed here? 
Please contact us at 800-556-3446, or email us at info@boulder-utah.com.

State Parks : Drives : Hikes : Fishing : Recreation Activities

State Parks & Monuments

Capitol Reef National Park
Open all year. The rugged western landscape of Capitol Reef adds exponentially to the Western adventure. Capitol Reef is accessible via Scenic Byway 12 and U-24, or take the Burr Trail from Boulder. Drive the park's scenic route, stop in at the visitor center and museum, hike the trails, and visit the old log schoolhouse and the charming village of Fruita.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Open all year. Terraced mountains are best appreciated by hiking the Hole-in-the-Rock  canyon or the Burr Trail. At Lower Calf Creek Falls, an easy six-mile hike leads past beaver ponds and wetlands to a dazzling 126-foot waterfall. The nation's newest monument, which covers 1.7 million acres, is largely desert wilderness. Hike the canyons, view wildlife, explore, and photograph the remote areas.

Anasazi State Park
This ancient Indian village was one of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River. It is located just down the road from the lodge. Archaeological excavations have uncovered more than one hundred structures, and today it includes a museum where artifacts are housed, and a partially excavated site.

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park The steep, mile-long Petrified Forest Trail has a view of the surrounding stair-step plateaus.

Bryce Canyon National Park
Open all year. Bryce Canyon is a series of giant amphitheaters with millions of pink rock pinnacles called "hoodoos" that seem to glow at sunrise and sunset. These limestone formations in Bryce Canyon have been shaped and colored through erosion and oxidation of iron in the sediment. There's no place in the world quite like Bryce Canyon National Park.

Kodachrome Basin
Ride in a stagecoach or on horseback, mountain bike, hike, picnic or camp at Kodachrome Basin. Unique spires and chimneys glow with color at sunrise and sunset  and was named by the National Geographic Society.

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Scenic Backway Drives

Scenic Byway 12:
Enjoy the scenic turnouts and spurs from these routes, which provide access to many of the outstanding recreational spots within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Hell's Backbone Road
Gravel and dirt road (closed in winter) / high clearance vehicles recommended. Although this is not a designated scenic backway, Hell's Backbone is one of the most dramatic roads in the world. The road makes a loop connecting Escalante with Highway 12, three miles west of Boulder. From the Posey Lake Scenic Backway, Hell's Backbone heads east, passes Blue Spruce Campground and circles the Box Death Hollow Wilderness Area. Hell's Backbone Bridge is an engineering feat.  Distance 44 miles (1-1/2 hours).

Burr Trail Scenic Backway
Hard surfaced, graded dirt and gravel road / passenger car in good weather; 4-wheel drive recommended. Beautiful scenery can be found around every turn.  Features access to Deer Creek Recreation Site, Long Canyon, Capitol Reef  National Park, Lake Powell and Bullfrog Marina. Impassable when wet. Distance  66 miles (4-1/2 hours).

Cottonwood Canyon Road Scenic Backway
Graded dry-weather road. Do not travel this route if storms are threatening.  A photographer's dream. Features: Kodachrome Basin State Park (camping and picnicking facilities), Grosvenor Arch, Cockscomb, Paria River and views  of Bryce Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Table  Cliffs Plateau. Paved to Kodachrome State Park, dirt after. Distance 49 miles (2 hours).

Hole-in-the-Rock Scenic Backway
Gravel and graded dirt road / passenger cars in good weather; 4-wheel drive recommended. Step back in time and travel the route that Mormon pioneers took on their historic journey to the San Juan country. Access is provided to Devil's Rock Garden,  Dance Hall Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Hole-in-the-Rock and  several desert hiking trailheads. Last five miles requires a high clearance  vehicle. Distance 56 miles one-way (6 hours round trip).

For more scenic backways & byways in the surrounding areas...

NOTE: Road conditions can change at any time; do not travel on any dirt road if rain is in the forecast! Many roads  become impassable even in 4WD vehicles. Always  make local inquiry before traveling on any back road or jeep trail!

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Hikes

Hike at your own risk. Inexperienced hikers may want to hire a guide.

NOTE: Due to the rugged nature of the Escalante Basin, there are few marked or maintained trails. Route finding and orienteering skills are often required and a good sense  of direction is needed. Always carry a good topo map and compass and know how to use them. 

Escalante River (downstream)
		Distance: 14.5 miles driving, maximum 67 miles hiking (moderate) Features: Deeper flow of the river, extensive side canyons to explore, many natural and planned bridges. Hiking, fishing, camping, photography Directions: Hwy 12 for 14.5 miles, park at trailhead on right, begin hiking left of the bridge.

Escalante River (upstream)
		Distance: 14.5 miles driving, maximum 15 miles hiking (easy) Features: Lightest flow of the river, side canyons to explore, a natural bridge and an arch. The length of the hike is 15 miles but can be shortened to accommodate a day trip. Hiking, fishing, camping, photography Directions: Hwy. 12 South for 14.5 miles, park at trailhead on right. Continue driving to the town of Escalante to hike the upper end. Requires numerous river crossings-your shoes will get wet!

Devil's Garden
		Distance: 22 Miles driving (paved), 13 miles driving (dirt) Features: Unusual rock formations containing arches. Hiking, picnic area, photography Directions: 12 South for 22 miles to the Hole-in-the-Rock turnoff on the left. Road turns to dirt, continue for 12.5 miles to signed turnoff for Devil's Garden on right.

Horse Canyon
		Distance: 19 Miles driving (paved), 19 miles driving (dirt), 4 miles hiking (easy) Features: Scenic canyon used for ranching, Ranchers road allows car access 13 miles into the canyon, 4WD recommended. 2 mile hike from bottom to Escalante River. Hiking, photography Directions: Burr Trail East for 19 miles to signed Wolverine Loop road on right. Road turns to dirt, drive 6 miles to signed Horse Canyon turnoff on right, either park and hike or bike or continue down the road for 13 miles and park at the corral.

Little Death Hollow
		Distance: 19 miles driving (paved), 13 miles driving (dirt), 7.5-15 miles hiking (Strenuous) Features: Extensive narrow slot canyon, an arch, and petroglyphs. 7.5 miles one way. Hiking, photography Directions: Burr Trail East for 19 miles to signed Wolverine Loop road on right. Road turns to dirt for 13 miles. Park at signed trailhead.

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Wolverine Canyon
	Distance: 19 miles driving (paved), 10 miles driving (dirt), 5-10 miles hiking (moderate) Features: Outstanding scenic area with petrified wood. 5 miles one way. Hiking, photography Directions: Burr Trail East for 19 miles to signed Wolverine Loop road on right. Road turns to dirt for 10 miles, park at signed trailhead.

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Dry Fork Slot Canyons (Peek-a-boo & Spooky)

Distance: 22 Miles driving (paved), 28.3 miles driving (dirt), 3-6 miles hiking (difficult) Features: Very narrow, small slot canyons. Hiking, photography Directions: Hwy.12 South for 22 miles to the turnoff for Hole-in-the-Rock road. Turnoff on left. Continue for 1.7 miles taking all left forks, then park.  Canyons may have water in them.  Use Caution!  Flash flood area (primarily July-September).

Hiking: Our recommended guides

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Fishing

Fishing – Valid license required (inquire at Front Desk for info on obtaining a license)

Posey Lake
	Distance: 28 miles driving Features: Alpine lake, stocked with trout.  Fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking Directions: Highway 12 South to Hell’s Backbone Road (2 miles), then 26 miles to the signed turnoff for Posey Lake. No hiking involved to get to the lake.

Lower Bowns Reservoir
	Distance: 9 miles driving (paved), 4 miles driving (dirt) Features: Large lake, stocked with trout. Fishing, hiking, boating, fishing, camping, mountain biking Directions: Highway 12 North for 19 miles to the signed turnoff on the right. Proceed down dirt road for 4 miles until you reach the lake. No hiking to get to the lake.

King’s Pasture Reservoir
	Distance: 7 miles driving (paved), 5 miles driving (dirt), very short hike Features: Alpine Lake, stocked with trout. Fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking Directions: Highway 12 North for 7 miles to Garkane Power plant turnoff on left. Follow Signs to King’s Pasture for 5 miles then park at the gate. 200 yd walk to the reservoir.

Garkane Reservoir
	Distance: 7 miles driving (paved), .5 mile driving (dirt) Features: Easy access reservoir where everyone catches a fish.  Fishing Directions: Highway 12 North for 7 miles to Garkane Power plant sign.  Turn left on dirt road, and then go left again towards the power plant.

Deer Creek
	Distance: 6.5 miles driving Features: Flowing creek at the bottom of a scenic red rock canyon.  Fishing, hiking, camping Directions: Burr Trail East for 6.5 miles. Park at signed trailhead, walk downstream Calf Creek

Calf Creek
	Distance: 13 miles driving Features: Spring fed at the bottom of a scenic red rock canyon. Fishing, hiking, camping Directions: Highway 12 South for 13 miles. Calf Creek Falls State Park is well signed, park and fish

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Recreation Activities

Mountain Biking: Routes in Capitol Reef National Park Four designated roads throughout Capitol Reef National Park allow visitors to experience the splashes of colors via bike.

Nearby Rides:
Mytoge Mountain Trail
Powell Point
Bryce Canyon National Park Biking

Horseback Riding: www.bouldermountaintrails.com
Boulder Mountain Trails offers full service multi-day horse pack trips through some of the most rugged and wild country in the great American Southwest.

Llama Trekking & Hikes: www.redrocknllamas.com  Llama Trekking and Wilderness Hiking in Southern Utah.

Outdoor Survival: www.boss-inc.com BOSS, the Boulder Outdoor Survival School, is the oldest and largest traditional living skills/survival school in the world, offering an active outdoors experience.  They teach traditional primitive methods. In operation for 30 years.