Red Dog Tales

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.

Area Rating: 4.6 PAWS out of 5 PAWS

Next Stop: Monument Valley, Goulding, Utah

Stunning Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend near Lake Powell, Arizona

by ChiliandCedar | Apr 17, 2023 | Southwest Road Trip 2023

Page, Arizona is home to several must-see natural and man-made wonders: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Recreational Area, Lake Powell, and the Glen Canyon Dam. We really enjoyed our stay at the Wahweap RV and Campground with Lake Powell views and access.

Key Takeaways:

Antelope Canyon is stunning! Advanced reservations are required to tour the canyon with authorized tour operators
Horseshoe Bend is another amazing geological formation on the Colorado River, near Page
The Glen Canyon Dam in Page is closed for tours but the Carl Hyden Visitor Center is open
Local resorts and marinas offer tours of Lake Powell
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is about a half hour drive from Page and offers scenic dog-friendly trails to view rock sculptures and hoodoos
The Wahweap RV & Campground is an awesome RV stay in Page to explore local attractions

Campground Review:

We loved our stay at Wahweap RV & Campground. Located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the campground is 1/4 mile from Lake Powell. Our pull-through, paved site had full hook-ups and beautiful views of Lake Powell. We could access paved park trails for long walks with the dogs. One trail led us to Utah – only a mile away. Another trail led to the Wahweap Lake Powell Lodge where we enjoyed coffee and breakfast sandwiches outside with the dogs. This was one of our favorite campgrounds to date.

What to do:

Reserve a tour of Antelope Canyon well ahead of your visit; we toured the Upper Canyon through Antelope Canyon Slot Tours – an awesome experience; midday tour times are best for viewing the light shafts
Visit the Glen Canyon Dam; start at the Carl B. Hayden Visitor Center; drive to Scenic View Drive and hike the short Dam Overlook Trailhead for great views of the dam and the Colorado River
Visit Horseshoe Bend; the hike from the parking lot is 1.5 miles round trip and is dog-friendly
Drive to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah; stop at the visitor center to get maps and info on numerous hikes and drives; we hiked to the Toadstools, a dog-friendly hike to scenic rock formations and toadstools
Visit the Grand Canyon Brewing Company in Page for great beer and food; the patio is dog-friendly – woof!
Sample awesome BBQ at Big John’s Texas BBQ in Page; their patio is dog-friendly – woof-woof!

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon Entrance

Upper Antelope Canyon

Glen Canyon Dam

Colorado River

Horseshoe Bend

Cedar – Toadstools

Toadstools

Chili & Cedar’s Review:

We really, really liked this campground! We had long walks in the morning and night on paved trails, so no pickers on our feet!

Campground Rating: 5 PAWS

Lots of dog-friendly hiking trails in this area. We liked hiking in the Grand-Escalante National Monument to see the toadstools. The trails in the Glen Canyon National Recreaton Area were very fun too! Horseshoe Bend is dog friendly as well as the Grand Canyon Brewing Company — woof!

Area Rating: 5 PAWS

Next Stop: Mesa Verde National Park, Dolores, Colorado

Spectacular Grand Canyon National Park

by ChiliandCedar | Apr 15, 2023 | Southwest Road Trip 2023

The views of the Grand Canyon never get old – each overlook and viewpoint is unique and truly amazing. We hiked the easy, dog-friendly Rim Trail every day of our visit and could have stayed several more days to experience the entire Rim Trail. We opted not to hike into the canyon, as do 99% of visitors to the park, and viewed the park from the rim. Our stay at the Trailer Village RV Park, in the National Park, was a perfect location to explore this natural wonder.

Key Takeaways:

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most dog-friendly national parks we have visited
The views from the Rim Trail are so amazing, from sunrise to midday to sunset
Hiking into the canyon is a strenuous endeavor; the park recommends taking two days to make the trek down into the canyon and back
April is a good time to visit the park, still snow on the ground in some places but crowds are manageable
Trailer Village RV Park is a great RV stay in the park

Campground Review:

The location of Trailer Village RV Park doesn’t get any better to explore the Grand Canyon National Park. This RV park has full hookups and is within walking distance of Market Plaza and the Rim Trail. Free shuttle buses stop every 15 minutes at Trailer Village. Our site was paved and spacious. Our dogs enjoyed their walks around the RV park. Elk frequent the park but they kept to themselves and did not pose a threat to our dogs.

What to do:

Walk the Rim Trail; park at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and hike the short distance to Mather Point- views are spectacular; hike the dog friendly Rim Trail from Mather point – views continue to amaze along the Rim Trail in both directions
Drive to the Verkamp’s Visitor Center; visit the Hopi House and El Tovar Hotel; more access to the Rim Trail here
Follow Desert View Drive and stop at spectacular lookouts – Grandview Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point and continue to Desert View Watchtower- have lunch and checkout more amazing canyon views
Take the shuttle bus to Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, Pima Point and Hermits Rest (Hopi Point and Pima Point are known for spectacular sunsets)
Enjoy more sunset views at Mather point (Tip: continue left on the Rim Trail for more sunset views with less crowds)
Drive to the town of Cameron – about 30 minutes from the East Entrance Station; check out several Navajo roadside markets along the way and the Cameron Trading Post in Cameron
Hike into the Grand Canyon – be aware, what goes down must come up – the park recommends taking two days to hike down to the Colorado River and back up – the canyon hikes are very strenuous
Schedule a mule ride into the canyon – plan ahead as these trips can book up early

Grand Canyon Dog-Friendly Tips

The South Rim Trail is paved and dog-friendly
Grab a drink on the patio at the Yavapai Tavern
Take the dogs along on the Desert View Drive, stop at the overlooks and have lunch at Desert View
Hikes into the canyon are not dog-friendly — stay on the rim

Cedar-Grand Canyon

Dogs on Rim Trail

Grand Canyon

Desert View Watchtower

Chili & Cedar’s Review:

Trailer Village RV Park is our kind of park – rustic and dog-friendly. We enjoyed our walks around the park and the elk didn’t bother us at all. The Grand Canyon National Park is our favorite National Park. We loved our walks on the Rim Trail!