Travel Tips

TRAVEL TIPS: Exploring Utah During a Pandemic

TRAVEL ADVISE FROM THE OFFICE OF UTAH TOURISM. Like most good things in life, a family vacation takes a dose of hard work and commitment before you can rejoice: packing the car, planning the route, balancing everyone’s preferred activities, agreeing on pit stops. Right now, you also have to factor in how to responsibly travel during a pandemic. Keep your mind on the bigger picture — whether it’s dazzling red rock, cool watering holes, geological history, alpine forests, or the Milky Way overhead. Soon you’ll be on the open road in the landscapes that rejuvenate, inspire, and even heal. Consider these small but mighty actions that will make all the difference as we work together to control the spread of coronavirus and restore strength to our struggling local businesses.

BEFORE YOUR VISIT:

1. Check conditions.

Review the websites and social media that offer information on local conditions and closures. If you can’t find your answer online, call the area’s local tourism contacts and land managers. 2. Select an appropriate activity.

Hiking, biking, stargazing, and dispersed camping are fantastic options. Avoid high-risk activities like rock climbing or backcountry activities, as law enforcement and rescue operations may be limited due to

COVID 19 issues. 3. Select low-traffic locations and times.

Discover a new area. Visit less-traveled locations like

BLM areas, state parks, and national monuments during non-peak hours to avoid crowding. Check out the regions that surround and complement each national park. 4. Stay home if you feel sick.

Follow CDC guidance on personal hygiene and social distancing before and during your visit. 5. Bring necessary supplies.

Services like trash pick-up and restroom maintenance could be limited or not available at some remote outdoor locations. Bring the supplies you might need such as trash bags and hand sanitizer.

DURING YOUR VISIT:

1. Evaluate your surroundings.

When you arrive at a recreation area, if it has a full parking lot or crowded trailhead, this might indicate that there are too many people recreating. For your safety and the safety of other visitors, please consider changing locations or returning at a less active time.

Always have a back-up plan. 2. Keep your distance from others.

Everyone wants to safely enjoy public lands. Please make sure to stay at least six feet away from other visitors as recommended by the CDC. Please wear a mask. 3. Support local.

Find ways to support the local communities that surround our natural areas. Stock up with groceries locally, stop in an artisan shop, or eat at a restaurant in addition to campfire meals.

AFTER YOUR VISIT:

1. Pack it in, pack it out.

Take trash with you when you leave. Trash overflowing the receptacles becomes litter and can be harmful to wildlife and attract predators.

Learn more: visitutah.com/covid-19

HELPER

Photo: Austen Diamond

SOUTHEASTERN UTAH

Carbon County

The Price Canyon Recreation Area A (105 miles from Salt Lake City) is a BLM managed recreation area located high above the city of Price at an elevation of 8,000 feet. There is a campground with 12 sites ($8 per night), picnic areas for day use, restrooms, and hiking trails.

If you have never pulled off the road at bottom of Price Canyon on US 6, and stopped in Helper B (111 miles from Salt Lake City), this is a must on your next roadtrip. This small quiet town is truly an up and coming destination that has a lot to offer. Helper is named after the helper engines that were required to assist trains traveling west to Salt Lake City make it up the steep 15-mile climb into Price Canyon. First place to visit is an educational stop at the Western Mining & Railroad Museum (296 S Main St., 435-472-3009). Then be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Balanced Rock Eatery, just down the road (148 S. Main, 435-472-0403). Or, if coffee is what you need, check out the Happiness Within Coffee Shop (153 S. Main St., 435-472-2326). Your next stop on Main Street is the Historic Lincoln Hotel (54 S. Main, 435-650-4180) which has been recently renovated into a Harley Museum with vintage-style studio lodging. No stop in Helper is complete without a walk along the Price River Parkway Trail or a swim at the Helper City Pool (411 Spruce St., 435-472-0103). The pool opens July 1st and costs $5 each or $15 for a family of 5.

Ninemile Canyon C is said to be the world’s longest outdoor art gallery. This canyon has the highest concentration of rock art in the U.S. with close to 1,000 rock art sites. Located 10 miles southeast of Price, this canyon is 46 miles long and worthy of at least a halfday side trip to explore the treasures found within the canyon walls.

CarbonCorridor.com

Emery County

The town of Green River D (181 miles from Salt Lake City) is a great base camp for adventuring in the San Rafael Swell, Goblin Valley, and the Horseshoe Canyon section of Canyonlands National Park if you have a day or two to add to your Road Trip itinerary. But for those

CANYON COUNTRY DISCOVERY CENTER

ADVENTURE WITH DESERT HIGHLIGHTS RECAPTURE POCKET

just passing through, looking for a quick bite, museum stop, or walk along the Green River. Ray’s Tavern (25 S. Broadway, 435-564-3511) is locally-owned and well-known in the outdoor enthusiast community. It’s the place the river guides and mountain bikers frequent après’ adventure. The John Wesley Powell River History Museum (1765 Main, 435-564-3427) is also the local visitor center, where you can find bathrooms and information about the area. Swasey’s Beach located 10 miles north of Green River is a great location to cool off and play in the Green River. This white sand beach that is shaded by towering cottonwood trees is the perfect family playground offering both day use and camping options.

TheSwellUtah.com

Grand County

Moab E (233-miles from Salt Lake City) is truly one of Utah’s greatest outdoor towns. Where many, many adventure memories have been made over the years. Located in the middle of town, the Moab Information Center (25 E. Center St., 435-259-8825) is the best place to get all the latest information, fill up a water bottle, or use the restroom.

Stay an extra day for a private guided adventure. Moab is home to epic outdoor recreation and also home to many highly trained guide companies that can take your family on an unforgettable adventure. How about a half-day private guided canyoneering trip? Desert Highlights (16 S. 100 E., 435-259-4433) is a small locally-owned guide service that offers a couple of different tours that are perfect for families. Have you heard of “Rockaneering”? It’s a term used by Moab Cliffs and Canyons (253 N. Main, 435-259-3317) for a family-friendly guided adventure that is both rock climbing and canyoneering.

Some locally-owned breakfast/lunch spots are the Moab Garage (78 N. Main, 435-554-8467) and The Love Muffin (139 N. Main, 435-259-6833). If you are needing to grab some groceries, The Moonflower Community Market (39 E 100 N.,435-259-5712) is a great option. For outdoor gear or to chat with some great locals both Gearheads (1040 S. Main, 435-259-4327) and Moab Gear Traders (300 S. Main, 435-355-0333) are open 7 days a week. If you are looking for local Moab art and jewelry Moab Made (82 N. Main St., 435-210-0650) is a shop dedicated to local artisans.

In Moab, Face Coverings are mandatory inside public places and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

DiscoverMoab.com

San Juan County

Monticello F is 54 miles south of Moab (287 miles from Salt Lake City) and sits in the shadows of the eastern side of the Abajo Mountains. This high elevation small town sits at 7,070 feet above sea level and is the gateway to the Indian Creek Unit of Bears Ears National Monument. The Canyon Country Discovery Center (1117 N. Main, 435-587-2156) is a great educational stop to learn all about the Colorado Plateau, featuring both indoor and outdoor exhibits, and several kid-friendly hands-on learning stations. There are also picnic areas and restrooms on-site. The Monticello Visit Center (216 Main, 435-587-3401) provides local information as well as local maps and books. The locally-owned burger, fries, and ice cream spot is The Shake Shack (364 N. Main, 435-459-2394), and another great food option is JaRoen Thai (380 S. Main, 435-587-4000). Have you tried black light miniature golf?

CANYON COUNTRY DISCOVERY CENTER Check out The Silver Queen Miniature Golf (80 S. Main Street, 435-587-2256) that is located at the local Merc True Value Hardware Store.

Blanding G (20 miles south of Monticello on US 191) is the gateway town to three National Monuments: Bears Ears (Shash Jaa Unit), Natural Bridges, and Hovenweep. The Blanding Visitor Center (12 N. Grayson Pkwy, 435-678-3662) is the local stop for the latest information. The Edge of The Cedars State Park Museum (660 W. 400 N., 435-678-2238) is a must-see when in Blanding. This museum has the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan pottery on display in the Four Corners Area. Stop by The Patio Diner (95 N. Grayson Pkwy, 435-678-2177) for a burger or cool off with an ice cream treat.

Bluff H (20 miles south of Blanding on US 191) is a tiny town with a population of 320 residents that sits between the San Juan River and the southern end of Bears Ears National Monument. Bluff is also 47 miles from Four Corners Monument, 51 miles from Monument Valley, and 25 miles from Goosenecks State Park. This tiny town packs a punch for the outdoor adventurer. A couple of locally-owned dining locales to check out are the Twin Rock Café (913 East Navajo Twins Dr., 435-672-2341) and Comb Ridge Eat and Drink (680 Main St., 435-485-5555). Then check out the Bear Ears Education Center (567 W. Main, 435-414-0343) to learn more about Utah’s newest National Monument.

Recapture Pocket I located 8 miles northwest of Bluff is a mini Goblin Valley filled with hoodoos and cool rock formations. This remote area is accessed from US 162 to CR 217/216 (dirt road), there are no facilities or restrooms, so be prepared and always pack out everything when you leave.