ChiliandCedar, Author at Red Dog Tales

More Utah Beauty: Capitol Reef National Park

by ChiliandCedar | May 2, 2023 | Southwest Road Trip 2023

Capitol Reef National Park is another amazing park in southern Utah. With tons of hiking trails, historic orchards and fresh baked pie, Capitol Reef is a great place to explore the natural wonders of the Waterpocket Fold. We loved our RV site at Wonderland RV Park in Torrey. Not many hiking options for the dogs in the national park, but they loved their drive through the park. And Torrey is home to the best food truck hamburger, ever!

Key Takeaways:

Capitol Reef National Park near Torrey is another southern Utah beauty
A hiker’s dream with trails for all levels
Not a dog-friendly park with one dog-friendly trail
Wonderland RV Park is a great RV stay in Torrey
Capital Burger food truck in Torrey is exceptional!

Campground Review:

Wonderland RV Park is a hidden gem in Torrey, just 3 miles from Capitol Reef National Park. With mountain views and a natural setting, this dog-friendly park is a perfect stay to explore the area. Our back-in site featured full hookups and welcome shade. Horses, cows and a bison from the adjacent pasture were fun to watch. The dogs enjoyed the enclosed dog park and their walks around the park.

What to do:

Capitol Reef National Park
- Start at the Capitol Reef Visitor’s Center for maps and information on the park and any road closures
- Take the dogs on the 8-mile scenic drive through the park and stop at overlooks; hike the short trails at Goosenecks and Sunset Point (no dogs allowed on trails)
- Hike the moderate Hickman Bridge Trail for views of the natural bridge and canyons
- Hike the 2.2-mile Grand Wash trails through a deep canyon and narrows
- Visit the Fruita historic district; pick fruit from the orchards in season
- Get some amazing fresh-baked pie and ice cream at the Gifford Homestead – get there by noon or they may be out of pie; enjoy this treat at the picnic area
Visit the Capitol Burger food truck in Torrey for amazing burgers! Check their Facebook page for hours and locations

Capital Reef National Park

Capitol Reef Overlook

Goosenecks

Hickman Bridge Trail

Canyon Overlook

Sunset Point

Capitol Burger

Capitol Dome

Hickman Bridge Trail

Capitol Reef Overlook

Grand Wash Hike

Chili & Cedar’s Review:

Wonderland RV Park is our kind of park! We liked the dog park and enjoyed our daily walks around the campground. We really, really liked our grassy, shady site – woof!

Campground Rating: 4.8 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

We did not go on any hikes at Capitol Reef National Park but we did enjoy our drive through the park. Not many dog-friendly things to do around here – on to the next place!

Area Rating: 4.2 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

Next Stop: Arches National Park-Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah

Our Favorite National Park: Spectacular Bryce Canyon

by ChiliandCedar | Apr 30, 2023 | Southwest Road Trip 2023

We were just mesmerized by the beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park! The hoodoo forests literally take your breath away. Our April visit was chilly but the snow added another dimension to the landscape. Bryce Canyon can be viewed from several scenic overlooks, trails and by the air. Our stay at the historic Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground provided a great location to explore the park and local attractions.

Key Takeaways:

Bryce Canyon National Park is just hoodoo magic!
April is a great month to visit with fewer crowds, but some trails and roads were closed during our stay
There are several ways to see the park via stunning overlooks, an easy Rim Trail, moderate to strenuous hikes among the hoodoos, by horseback or a helicopter aerial tour
There are only a couple dog-friendly trails in Bryce Canyon National Park but many local parks and recreation areas have dog-friendly trails, stunning views and fewer crowds
Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground is a great RV stay with many amenities

Campground Review:

Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground as a great RV stay, just minutes from the front entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. The Bryce Canyon Shuttle stop is ajacent to the property. Ruby’s features full hookups; large, pull-through sites, shaded sites and access to Ruby’s Inn restaurant, gift store and services. The campground has an outdoor pool and hot tub and guests of the campground have access to the indoor pool in the Best Western and the Main Lodge. Our dogs loved their long walks around the property.

What to do:

Bryce Canyon National Park
- Stop at the Visitor’s Center for maps and up-do-date information on trail and road closures; during our late April visit, several roads and trails were closed due to snow and ice
- Drive the 18-mile scenic drive ending at Yomivpa Point, stop at all the scenic overlooks along the way; shuttle service is also available for the scenic drive
- Checkout stunning vistas of the Bryce Amphitheater from Bryce Point and Inspiration Point; drive or take the shuttle bus to these spectacular overlooks; walk the Rim Trail from Bryce Point to Inspiration Point (when open)
- Visit Sunset Point and Sunrise Point and walk the dog-friendly Rim Trail between these two overlooks
- Capture sunrise at Sunrise Point and walk the Queen’s Garden Trail, a spectacular out and back hike through the hoodoos
- Combine the Queen’s Garden Trail with the Navajo Trail to Sunset Point for a 2.9-mile round trip
- Take a helicopter tour of Bryce Canyon; we enjoyed our half-hour tour through Bryce Canyon Airlines, arranged at Ruby’s Inn
- Arrange a horseback riding tour on trails in Bryce Canyon
Visit nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park and hike one of several dog-friendly trails
Explore the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument; stop at a visitor center to learn more about this huge area; hike the dog-friendly Willis Creek Narrows Trail through a slot canyon
Ruby’s Inn Cowboy’s Buffet & Steakhouse is a great place for breakfast and dinner

Tips for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park

April is a great time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park with fewer crowds, but expect some trail and road closures during your stay
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is an iconic historic structure; stop at the gift store and browse the lobby and great room to see historic photos and artifacts
Sunrise is spectacular at Sunrise Point; go early, bring some coffee and your camera
Pets are permitted only on the Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Point or the Shared Use Trail between the Park Entrance and Inspiration Point; pets are allowed at paved viewpoint areas
Check out dog-friendly trails at nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Arch

Mike Hiking Among the Hoodoos

Queens Trail

Queens Garden Trail

Sunrise Point

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Willis Creek Trail

Bryce Canyon Sign

Bryce Canyon Overlook – Chili

Dogs at Bryce Canyon

Queens Garden Trail

Queens Garden Trail Arch

Chili & Cedar’s Review:

We liked Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground. It was cold during our stay but we enjoyed our long walks around the campground. There was no dog park at this campground, but plenty of green space at our campsite.

Campground Rating: 4.6 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

Bryce Canyon National Park is very pretty. We walked the Rim Trail from Sunset to Sunrise Point and we stopped at every overlook in the Park. We also liked our hike in the Kodachrome Basin State Park and our hike in the Willis Creek Slot Canyon – woof!

Area Rating: 4.7 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

Next Stop: Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey, Utah

Spectacular Hikes & Incredible Vistas: Zion National Park RV Stay

by ChiliandCedar | Apr 26, 2023 | Southwest Road Trip 2023

Zion National Park has some of the most famous hikes in the country and with amazing scenic drives and breathtaking overlooks, it is one of the busiest national parks. April is a great time to visit with fewer crowds but you run the risk of trails being closed. Our RV stay at Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground in Virgin, Utah, was perfect to explore local attractions.

Key Takeaways:

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to personal vehicles from March to November; free shuttle service is available to stops along the route.
The crowds were manageable during our April stay, but some trails were closed, including The Narrows
Dogs are only allowed on the Pa’rus Trail, which starts at the Visitor Center
Zion River Resort & RV Park is an exceptional RV stay in Virgin, about 15 miles from Zion National Park

Campground Review:

Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground is a wonderful RV stay in Virgin, Utah, 15 miles from Zion National Park. The full-hookup sites were large with grassy areas and fire pits. Amenities include a heated swimming pool and spa, off-leash dog parks, high-speed internet and a camp store. The park is adjacent to the Virgin River, which was running very fast during our visit. Our dogs liked their walks around the park and the off-leash dog park.

What to do:

Zion National Park
- Start at the Visitor’s Center for maps and updates on trail and road closures
- Walk the dogs on the Pa’rus Trail (3.5 mile out and back) – even in April the trail became very heated during sunny afternoons.
- Take the shuttle bus (dogs not allowed) from the Visitor’s Center to Stop #9, Temple of Sinawava; hike the Riverwalk Trail up to the bottom-up Narrows Trail and back; catch the Shuttle to Stop #7, Weeping Rock Trail; take the Shuttle to Stop #, Grotto, and hike back to Zion Lodge
- Hike the Narrows Trail if open – the water was too high during our visit and the trail was closed – plan ahead for this strenuous hike, go early and rent appropriate gear for the weather
- Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail at sunrise; arrive well before sunrise to find a parking spot; this is a moderate 1-mile round trip with 163 ft. elevation change with beautiful canyon vistas at the top
- Hike to Angels Landing – a strenuous 5.4-mile hike with 1,488 feet elevation change; a permit is required to hike to Angels Landing – one of the most famous and difficult hikes in the park – unfortunately we were not up for this hike.
- Hike Observation Point on the East Mesa Trail; schedule a shuttle from Zion Ponderosa to avoid mud and parking issues; this 7-mile hike with 700 feet elevation change provides expansive views of the canyon, higher than Angels Landing
- Drive the Scenic Byway from Highway 9 through the main entrance to Zion National Park, through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel to the east entrance; stop at overlooks along the way
Drive through Zion National Park to Cedar Breaks National Monument; at 10,000 feet, this area was closed during our April visit due to heavy snow; follow the Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway to Cedar City – a picturesque town with a great farmer’s market, shops and restaurants. We enjoyed the dog-friendly IG winery in downtown Cedar City
Spend some time in the town of Spingdale, Utah, located at the entrance to Zion; explore fun shops, restaurants and museums; sample local beers and good food at the Zion Canyon Brewpub

Tips for Visiting Zion National Park

Zion is a busy park, plan to arrive at the Visitor’s Center before 9 if you want a place to park and to avoid long lines for the shuttle.
The Shuttle service is very reliable with buses running every 10 minutes at stops – no dogs on the shuttle.
The Pa’rus Trail is the only dog-friendly trail in the park; no shade on this trail, go early morning for an easy hike.
Know your hiking limits; everyone wants to do Angel’s Landing but not everyone can; plan ahead for a permit for this hike.
The Narrows Hike is another iconic experience; go early morning to avoid crowds and rent proper gear.
A Spring visit will have fewer people but not all trails will be open; our April visit was great for hiking with manageable crowds but the Narrows Trail was closed due to high water levels.
Check the park website or visitor’s center for information on toxic cyanobacteria blooms; dogs are very subsceptible to cyanotoxin exposure; warnings were in effect for the Virgin River and park water sources during our visit.
Plan to do the Canyon Overlook Hike at sunrise – arrive at least 30 mins before sunrise for parking; wear a headlamp.

Zion Riverwalk Trail

Riverwalk Trail

Canyon Overlook Hike

Pa’rus Trail

Cedar on Pa’rus Trail

Zion Drive

Drive to Bryce Canyon

Canyon Overlook Trail

Canyon Overlook Sunrise

Weeping Rock

Zion Canyon

Chili & Cedar’s Review:

Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground is very nice. We had a grassy area by our site and enjoyed our walks around this large resort. We also liked the dog park. No river walks for us; water was too high and there were lots of snake signs around.

Campground Rating: 4.7 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

We had fun driving through Zion National Park! We also liked the Pa’rus Trail – it was too hot in the afternoon for us, but we enjoyed our morning hikes. We couldn’t go in the water due to bacteria – oh well, that’s just the way it goes. Zion is beautiful!

Area Rating: 4.6 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

Next Stop: Bryce Canyon National Park

A Monumental Valley Visit in Goulding, Utah

by ChiliandCedar | Apr 21, 2023 | Southwest Road Trip 2023

The red sandstone buttes of the Colorado Plateau create a stunning backdrop for our visit to Goulding, Utah. Local natural wonders include Monument Valley, Mexican Hat, Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck State Park and National Bridges National Monument. Our stay at the Goulding’s RV Park, surrounded by the Monument Valley, was picture perfect.

Key Takeaways:

Monument Valley Navejo Tribal Park is best viewed from an off-road, high clearance vehicle on the 17-mile tribal loop road
Valley of the Gods is another rough road experience, but very beautiful
Sand is in the air – everywhere; sand storms can close roads and obscure visibility, especially late afternoon
Goulding’s RV Park & Campground is a great Monument Valley Stay to view local attractions

Campground Review:

Goulding’s RV Park & Campground is nestled in Rock Door Canyon with views to Monument Valley. Our site was spacious with full hookups. Like most of the area, wind and sand can be annoying but the park location in the canyon provided some windbreak. Our dogs enjoyed their walks around the park; we did not see a dog park but there were several walking trails accessible from the park. We noticed stray dogs in and around the park, but they were not aggressive.

Goulding’s RV Park

Goulding’s RV Park View

What to do:

Drive the 17-mile tribal loop through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park with clusters of sandstone buttes (Note: this is a dirt and gravel rough road – if you don’t have an off-road vehicle, take a tour)
Stop at Forrest Gump Hill, the iconic movie scene with Forrest Gump running through Monument Valley; Route 163, Mile 13
Drive by the Mexican Hat on Highway 63; camping is available here too
Drive the 17-mile loop through Valley of the Gods off Highway 163 to view sandstone monoliths and pinnacles of Cedar Mesa; great boondocking spot on BLM land
Drive the Moki Dugway, a narrow two-lane gravel road with numerous switchbacks and 11% grade for great views of the San Juan River Canyon and Valley of the Gods, to the Natural Bridges National Monument
Visit the Natural Bridges National Monument which features three natural bridges in White Canyon; take the 9-mile scenic drive with overlooks to bridges; hike down to bridges on designated trails (no pets on hiking trails; pets are allowed on paved trails on overlooks)
Visit Goosenecks State Park, located on a rim of a deep canyon overlook of the San Juan River meander; area includes bathrooms and picnic areas; camping is also available

Monument Valley

Valley of the Gods

Forrest Gump Hill

Mexican Hat

Kachina Natural Bridge

Natural Bridges

Goosenecks State Park

Chili & Cedar’s Review:

We liked Goulding’s RV Park & Campground. We enjoyed our walks around the park, but the sand was a bit too much! No dog park here but there were trails nearby for longer walks. The local area was great for riding in the Jeep – we saw the rock monuments but too much sand and wind to have the windows down much. We had a short walk at the Natural Bridges National Monument – woof! On to the next stop!

Campground Rating: 4 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

Area Rating: 3.5 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

Next Stop: Zion National Park

Amazing Historical Wonders in Mesa Verde National Park

by ChiliandCedar | Apr 19, 2023 | Southwest Road Trip 2023

Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado preserves the history of the ancestral Pueblo people. The park features over 600 cliff dwellings built around AD 1200. The nearby Hovenweep National Monument consists of standing towers and villages built by the Puebloans. The Views RV Park & Campground in Dolores is a wonderful RV stay with beautiful views.

Key Takeaways:

Mesa Verde National Park is a fascinating park featuring over 600 cliff dwellings
The Hovenweep National Monument spans southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah and has several dog-friendly hiking trails
The Views RV Park & Campground in Dolores, Colorado, is an awesome, family-owned and run RV Park, close to area attractions

Campground Review:

The Views RV Park & Campground in Dolores, is convenient to Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and the McPhee Reservoir. The campground is meticulously maintained and has incredible vista views. Our shaded site included full hookups and plenty of space. Our dogs enjoyed the trails around the 42-acre campground. We also enjoyed the community firepit and pavilion. The owners were very friendly and welcoming.

What to do:

Explore Mesa Verde National Park
- Start at the Visitor’s Center for maps and info on open roads and trails (several roads and trails were closed during our mid-April stay due to snow or construction)
- Drive through the park and stop at the overlooks
- View the Cliff Palace – the largest cliff dwelling in North America – from overlooks on Mesa Top Loop. Purchase tickets for a ranger-led tour during summer months
- View the Balcony House from the easy 1.2 mile Soda Canyon Overlook Trail or purchase a ranger-led tour in summer months
- Take a self-guided tour of the Spruce Tree House via the strenuous .5-mile trail or view the Spruce Tree House from the overlook behind the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
- Hike the Petroglyph Point and Spruce Canyon trails for petroglyph sightings
Visit the Hovenweep National Monument; take the dogs on the rim trail to view standing towers and Puebloan villages
Sample wine at the Sutcliff Vineyards near Cortez – beautiful views and great wine! The patio is dog-friendly – woof!
Skip the Yucca House National Monument – a long dirt road to an underwhelming archaeological site

Tips for visiting Mesa Verde National Park

Leashed dogs are allowed on paved trails only
Upper elevations in the park are over 8,000 feet with cooler temperatures and lingering snow
Spring visits will be hit or miss with road closures
Ranger-led tours of cliff dwellings run from mid-May to October

Cliff Palace

Balcony House

Mesa Verde National Park

Hovenweep National Monument

Chili & Cedar’s Review:

Yay for The Views RV Park & Campground. We loved our walks around this dog-friendly campground. Lots of grass and shade for lounging. We enjoyed our evening at the community fire pit too – woof!

Campground Rating: 5 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

So Mesa Verde National Park is not very dog friendly. We drove through the park and walked a few paved trails. Cedar liked the cool breeze as she hung her head out the window. Our hike at the Hovenweep was fun, even if we had to keep a lookout for rattlesnakes.