Utah National Parks Map

Area Map and Trip Planning

Help for participants on Hondoo’s multi-day adventures planning their trip

This section is designed to help participants on Hondoo’s multi-day adventures plan their trip to the canyon lands. You will receive a trip information packet containing a packing list, detailed itinerary, lodging confirmation and travel instructions upon receipt of reservation.

Travelers may drive, fly/drive, or fly only. As general rule if you live outside the area, trip participation is most economical if you fly into Salt Lake City, Utah or Las Vegas, Nevada then rent a car and drive. (Flights into Las Vegas are often less expensive than into other area cities.)

If you have any questions, need help with logistics, or would like to share travel expenses with other trip participants, contact Hondoo or your travel consultant.

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Utah National Parks Map

NEAREST COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS:

The following cities are served by international airlines and are listed with their driving mileage to our headquarters in Torrey:
1)  Grand Junction, Colorado–215 miles.
2) Salt Lake City, Utah–255 miles.
3) St. George, Utah–300 miles.
4)Las Vegas, Nevada–390 miles.

GATEWAY CITY for TRIPS:

Travelers who elect to drive or fly/drive will begin and end their trip in Torrey, Utah (except Inn-to-Inn Trail rides, see below).
Camping trail rides depart and return Torrey, Utah.

Inn to Inn trail rides depart Torrey, Utah and end Boulder, Utah.

Vehicle tours and hikes depart and end  at our headquarters in Torrey, Utah unless otherwise arranged.

All Custom trips meet, depart and end as arranged.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Suitability
In addition to some riding experience being required, participants should be in good health and physical condition. While the minimum age of eight years is recommended,  the important point you should understand is that Hondoo doesn’t want to put any participant in a situation which they are physically or emotionally unable to handle. An appreciation of the outdoors is the only prerequisite for joining a trip.

Hondoo’s horseback trail rides are limited to 10 or 12 participants, depending on destination. Our trips are designed for horse lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. We pride ourselves in giving experienced riders the challenge and pace they desire without abusing the horses, and in giving wilderness seekers the untraveled and scenic back country they relish. Our high guide to guest ratio may allows us to divide into groups by ability and interest when time and logistics allow.

It should be noted that although Hondoo’s trips are designed to accommodate hikers as well as riders, if you plan to combine both activities, let Hondoo or your travel consultant know so they may plan for appropriate personnel and horses before the last moment.

Tipping
While tipping is customary, it is always optional and a personal decision on your part, based on your overall experience. A guide is rewarded by the opportunity to show you a beautiful area and to share your vacation with you. However, a financial gesture of appreciation will be well received! If you do choose to pass along a gratuity, it is appropriate to direct it toward the trip leader who is responsible for distribution. The industry standard is 15-20 percent.

TRANSFER PACKAGE:

While hiring a rental car is the most economical way to reach the canyon lands and Torrey, Utah, and public transportation is not an option, we recognize that some guests will require supplemental transportation. Ground transportation may be arranged from Salt Lake City or St. George, Utah after a ground shuttle from the Las Vegas, Nevada airport.
Contact Hondoo or your travel consultant for additional information and connecting transportation schedules.

MEETING TIMES, PLACES & LODGING:

Camping Trail Rides depart from TORREY:
Participants on camping rides will meet at 7:00 PM on Day 1 in the lobby of the Red Sands Hotel or the Broken Spur Motel. We will have an orientation and final packing session at this time. Meeting and lodging locations will be specified upon reservation confirmation.

Lodging your first night is included at the AAA-rated Red Sands Hotel or Broken Spur Motel.
Red Sands Hotel and Broken Spur Motel are located on highway 24 on the east side of Torrey.

Participants on Inn-to-Inn rides will meet with Hondoo’s staff at 7:00 PM on Day 1 in the Living Room at the Torrey Schoolhouse Bed & Breakfast,  or the Red Sands Hotel. Your lodging location will be specified upon reservation confirmation.

The Torrey Schoolhouse Bed & Breakfast is situated 1 block from Hondoo headquarters on Center St. in Torrey.
The  Red Sands Hotel is located on highway 24 on the east end of Torrey.

Inn Rides end in Boulder, Utah at either Boulder Mountain Lodge or Pole’s Place.  The Boulder Mountain Lodge is located on Utah Highway 12 in Boulder, UT.  Poles Place is located across from the Anasazi Museum on Highway 12 in Boulder, UT.

All other trips meet and depart as arranged.

Inclusions for Camping Trail Rides

  • Park fees and land-use fees–nearly 6% of trip price
  • all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day
  • special diets accommodated with advanced notification
  • locally raised, grass fed, antibiotic and hormone free beef
  • ground transportation from Torrey
  • complete outfitting with deluxe base-camp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs
  • canvas sleep tent with choice of one or two person, or family occupancy
  • freshly laundered sleeping bag, pillow, sheet, six inch foam sleeping pad and cot
  • water bottles, saddle bags and quality tack
  • daily guided horseback riding or hiking
  • seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders
  • guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyon lands social and natural history

Inclusions for Inn-to-Inn Trail Rides

  • all  resort and meal taxes and land-use fees: over 14%
  • all daily ground transportation from Torrey and return
  • all meals with gratuities from breakfast on day two through dinner on the last day
  • three nights lodging in Torrey, Utah
  • three nights lodging Boulder, Utah
  • water bottles, saddle bags and quality tack
  • daily guided horseback riding or hiking
  • seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders
  • interpretive specialist well versed in canyon lands social and natural history
  • evening activities may include 4X4 tour, museum visit, sunset wine party

Special Transfers from any location in the Inter-Mountain West may be arranged.

Nearest Airport to Torrey, Utah
The Wayne Wonderland Airport is located seven miles east of Torrey near Bicknell, Utah, and serves private airplanes with a 6,000 ft. landing strip which is paved and lighted.

Travel Documents
Passport and Visa requirement information is available through your consulate.

Additional and Post-Trip Lodging Suggestions
Quality lodging with swimming pools may be found at the Chuckwagon Motel, and Red Sands Hotel  in Torrey. Quality service may also be found near Torrey at the Lodge at Red River or Muley Twist Inn, Sky Ridge Inn or the Boulder Mountain Lodge , Boulder, Utah.

Weather/Climate/Geography/Vegetation
Utah’s portion of the Colorado Plateau region is a semi-arid tableland or steppe ranging in elevation between 3,800 ft. and 11,500 ft. with vegetation classified as upper-Sonoran to Alpine. This landscape is famous for its dynamic elevation changes with hundreds, even thousands, of feet change literally in one step.

The key word in this description, as far as weather is concerned, is semi-arid. It is generally dry with most precipitation falling as snow in the winter and occasional thunderstorms during the summer. Higher elevations are cooler and receive more moisture than lower environs. Hondoo’s trips explore the lower, slickrock and pinyon-juniper forested areas on spring and fall trail rides. In the heat of the summer, ponderosa-pine or aspen-spruce forests form the backdrop for experiencing the canyon lands. Trip temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees daytime or 40 degrees at night. With warm days and cool nights, it is best to layer your clothing to maintain comfort and you should always pack rain gear just in case.

Post Trip Suggestions
Unless otherwise indicated or arranged, the trip ends late afternoon when you return to Torrey.  Often the group meets for dinner and spends at least one the last night in town.  You may wish to extend your stay in the area and Hondoo or your travel consultant can assist you.  See Suggested Arrival Time and Suggested Lodging for more pre and post trip details.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is a good idea and most insurance agents or travel consultants can provide you with a vacation insurance plan that covers accident, baggage, and cancellation claims. While we don’t endorse any particular company, American Express Travel, Travel Guard and Lonely Planet have programs for adventure travel coverage.

Itinerary Changes
Although every attempt is made to adhere to itineraries, participants need to acknowledge and willingly accept the possibility of route and itinerary changes due to factors beyond the control of the operator. Mother nature and government land managers have, on rare occasions, thrown us a curveball (i.e. a freak two foot snowfall and camping restrictions due to hazardous fire conditions)and location may change.

Questions?
Please contact us with any questions regarding the trip.

About Your Guides
Patricia Kearney or Gary George, interpretive specialists, lead each and every trip. Pat and Gary have been guiding backcountry travelers for over four decades. They are joined a small group of seasoned guides who share a similar interest and enthusiasm for the canyon lands.

Additional expenses
Utah State sales tax, guide gratuity, airfare, rental car, transfer package, single accommodations, personal items and alcoholic beverages—if possible, pack spirits in unbreakable containers.

Navigating Utah’s infamous liquor laws
Spirits are welcome on Hondoo’s  trail rides. You will need to bring your own favorite which can be safely carried into camp in the camp truck.  Cocktails may be purchased at the local restaurants with meals on the Inn trail rides.   Beer is available locally, however stronger spirits should be purchased prior to arrival.  Utah has State operated liquor stores, the closest is in Bicknell, UT. 6 miles west of Torrey.  Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, Noon until 7 PM.

Guests/Hikers on Trail Rides
If your partner/spouse is not a rider or simply want to spend time relaxing in a wilderness setting, or you want to hike this spectacular landscape, then you’re welcome to join a trail ride. Although the trips are designed for riders, it is not uncommon for participants to not ride one or more days. Hikes or vehicle tours may venture forth as arranged. Non-riders may travel with the cook and campjack to and from the base-camp, however Hondoo and your travel consultant should know in advance.  Sign up for two and receive the double occupancy rate and non-rider discount.

Guided hiking-only trips are outfitted on a charter basis.