Trips to Torrey
Few Capitol Reef visitors plan on Torrey, and most miss out. The town has about 230 residents, sits eight miles from the park's west entrance, and is remote enough that getting here takes real planning, so our sightseeing packages handle that part and guests arrive ready to explore instead of worn out from the drive. That same remoteness keeps the night sky exceptionally dark. Settled in the 1880s, Torrey adopted a lighting ordinance in 2015 and in 2018 became Utah's first International Dark Sky Community, which is why we tell first-timers to step outside after dinner.
Getting To and From Torrey
No commercial airport serves Torrey, so every arrival comes by road. Independent visitors fly into a regional hub, pick up a rental car, and still have a drive ahead before reaching south-central Utah on Scenic Byway 24. Our guests skip the driving: a guided motorcoach connection built into the itinerary brings them straight to the gateway of Capitol Reef National Park.
Guests on our packages don’t need a flight into Torrey at all, since the town is a stop along the route and reached by motorcoach. Traveling independently means flying into Salt Lake City International (SLC), St. George Regional (SGU) or Grand Junction Regional (GJT), each about 3.5 hours away by car. Salt Lake City has the most flight options.
Pick up any rental at your arrival airport, as there are no major agencies in town. A standard sedan handles the paved main routes, while Burr Trail and Cathedral Valley call for high clearance. None of this applies on our packages, where the motorcoach does the driving.
Departure day on our packages is simple: the motorcoach carries the trip onward to its next stop. Independent travelers face the same 3.5-hour drive back to Salt Lake City International (SLC), St. George Regional (SGU) or Grand Junction Regional (GJT) for onward flights.
Your rental goes back where it came from: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), St. George Regional Airport (SGU) or Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), matched to your onward flight, since there are no drop-off counters in town. Motorcoach guests on our packages have nothing to return.
Where to Stay in Torrey
Your Torrey accommodation will be confirmed in your Final Travel Documents 45 days prior to departure. Lodging will be at the Red Sands Hotel & Spa or a similar property.
Where to Eat in Torrey
Torrey's dining options are compact, but they go well past what you'd expect from a small town. Cafes and casual spots cover the quick stops before a day in the park, while a couple of places nearby lean into more of a sit-down evening. For a town this small and this remote, the range on offer here is genuinely a pleasant surprise.
Hunt & Gather opened in 2020 at the west end of town, with the red cliffs of the Velvet Ridge rising behind it. The menu shifts with the seasons and leans on wild game, regional produce and locally sourced bison, and elk chimichurri is a guest favorite. Heated patios carry the dining room out under the desert sky, and we recommend booking ahead.
Etta Place Cidery & Taproom offers house-made ciders and meads crafted with locally grown fruit in a relaxed setting in Torrey. The taproom features a rotating selection of beverages alongside light snacks, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a convenient stop after exploring Capitol Reef National Park.
Monday to Thursday | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything guests need to know about visiting Torrey, Utah, from getting here and getting around to reaching nearby Capitol Reef, Scenic Byway 12, and Boulder Mountain.
The easiest way to reach Torrey is on one of our tours, with ground transportation built into the package. On your own, it means a long drive: roughly 3.5 hours from Salt Lake City, home to the most common arrival airport, 5 hours from Las Vegas, or 2.5 hours from Bryce Canyon via Scenic Byway 12. With no public transit into town, we handle the road so you can spend your time in the canyons instead of behind the wheel.
It’s the main gateway town to Capitol Reef National Park. It’s also known for its red rock scenery, its location at the end of Scenic Byway 12 (one of America’s most celebrated drives), and its exceptionally dark night skies.
Yes. Torrey was certified as an International Dark Sky Community in 2018, and nearby Capitol Reef is an International Dark Sky Park. Stargazing is excellent on clear, moonless nights.
Torrey sits at about 6,800 feet. Summers are warm but milder than lower desert areas, with highs typically in the 80s°F and cool nights. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Winters are cold, with snow possible and nighttime temperatures often well below freezing.
Spring (April to early June) and fall (September to October) offer the most comfortable temperatures. Fall is especially popular because of the fruit harvest in Capitol Reef’s historic Fruita orchards. Summer is busy but pleasant thanks to the elevation. Winter is quiet, and some restaurants and lodging close for the season.
Torrey Vacation Packages
