Not long ago I took a short scenic drive just outside of Moab. It led me onto a road (Highway 128) north of town that winds down the canyon adjacent to the Colorado River. The view was great as I saw rafters pulling off to some of the beaches and campers setting up their tents by the river.
Up this road about fourteen miles I came to a little resort lodge where I stayed the night. The Red Cliffs Lodge offered not only a great place to sleep but it offered an extension to the scenic drive that made the Moab experience rich and enchanting.
Before I settled down for the night I enjoyed a fantastic dinner at the Cowboy grill. The view at dinner was an absolutely stunning spectacle. I ate on the back porch of the restaurant and watched the sunset reflected off of the red rock cliffs and the Colorado River. The view was breathtaking with a completely new palate of colors ever y minute or two. I said then, and still contend that it was perhaps the most beautiful view I had ever seen during dinner.
The gentleman next to me ate Elk that literally fell apart as he cut it with his fork. It was all very well prepared and appealing to the eyes as well as the taste buds. Make sure to try the artichoke dip as an appetizer, it was worth every calorie. I had the trout for my entrée and was very impressed.
I stayed in one of the honeymoon cabins at the Red Cliffs Lodge. The Cabins sit twenty yards away from the Colorado River. It was a great and relaxing moment to look out from my porch and not see any sign of civilization.
The property also offered the beauty of a working vineyard and winery the grounds are so lovely, with the deep greens from the vineyard contrasting the red cliffs that surround on all sides the lodge.
Red Cliffs Lodge is not only a great lodge and vineyard; it is also a working ranch and museum. I got to experience the “ranch lifestyle” with one of their guided horseback rides. I am not very experienced on horses so I was not really sure what to expect on a trek that took us up mountain trails and over rough terrain. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and comfortable the ride was. It was a few hours of riding and provided yet another fantastic view of the native area. The wranglers were knowledgeable and very helpful. They were very professional even when some guests struggled with some of the very basic directions. It was a great way to spend an afternoon, although my horse was named Blunder.
In the basement of the main lodge there is a museum which details not only the history of the lodge but also the history of the movie industry in the area. With artifacts from films dating back into the 40’s and including hundreds of pictures of old stars hanging out on the sets of films shot right on the grounds of the Red Cliffs Lodge or in the surrounding area. It is a fascinating group of films that have been made in the area. I had to stop and have my picture taken with the cut out of John Wayne.
Overall the Red Cliffs Ranch offered a fantastic getaway. It was well worth the extra fourteen mile drive from the heart of Moab.
You can find out more on their website...
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