National & State Parks,
Forests & Public land
Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a 35 minute drive or 20 miles from the Castle Valley Inn.  Driving to and from the Inn is some of the most scenic vistas in the area.  Arches National Park is a great family park.   Foot trails lead to many park features. You can see much from your car, but to grasp the aura of time and silence and experience the scale so special here, spend some time hiking and enjoying the park.  A 41-mile round-trip paved road in the park leads to the major sights, including Balanced Rock, Skyline Arch, and the Fiery Furnace.  In summer rangers lead guided walks into the Fiery Furnace; reservations are required and must be made at the visitor center. Other guided walks and campfire programs are offered daily.  Bicycles are welcome on roads in the park. There are no designated bike trails. All bicycles must abide by vehicle regulations and are not allowed on any hiking trails or off established roads.  Entrance fees are $ 10.00 (Seven Day Pass) per non-commercial vehicle.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park has three districts.  The Islands in the Sky district is the most popular for Moab visitors.  From the Inn it is a 1 hour scenic drive.  The Island in the Sky District overlooks the canyon country from a high mesa top one to two thousand feet above the surrounding terrain. Bordered by the Green River on the west and the Colorado River on the east, the Island provides easy access to overlooks with spectacular views of the canyons and other geological formations.   Named for its colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone, the Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands, and is the most popular hiking destination in the park. It is a 1 1/2 hr scenic drive from the Inn.  The dominant formations are the needles themselves, and the district's extensive trail system provides many opportunities for long day hikes. Foot trails and four-wheel-drive roads lead to such features as Angel Arch, the Confluence Overlook, Elephant Hill and Chesler Park.  With its confusing network of steep-walled canyons.  The Maze remains the least accessible district of Canyonlands. it is 3 1/2 hr dirve from the Inn.  Due to the district's remoteness and the difficulty of roads and trails, travel to the Maze requires more time, as well as a greater degree of self-sufficiency. Rarely do visitors spend less than three days in the Maze, and the area can easily absorb a week-long trip. Maze visitors should be skilled in the use of topographic maps and, if traveling by vehicle, in technical four-wheel-driving. Another great way to see the Maze district is a scenic flight.  The above bottom picture was taken in flight.  One more portion of Canyonlands National Park is the detached Horse Shoe Canyon.  3 1/2 hr drive from the Inn and a long hike into the canyon.  This will take 1 whole day from the Inn but we feel it is well worth it if you love to hike and you love rock art.  

Horseshoe Canyon contains some of the most significant rock art in North America. Horse shoe canyon is an all day excursion from the Castle Valley Inn but well worth it.  Driving time from the Inn is 3 hrs each way. 
The Great Gallery, the best known panel in Horseshoe Canyon, includes well-preserved, life-sized figures with intricate designs. Other impressive sights include spring wildflowers, sheer sandstone walls and mature cottonwood groves along the intermittent stream in the canyon bottom. Horseshoe Canyon was added to Canyonlands in 1971
.Location:   Most visitors access Horseshoe from the west. Two-wheel-drive access to the west rim of Horseshoe Canyon is from Utah Highway 24 via 30 miles of graded dirt road, or from Green River on 47 miles of dirt road. Driving time is roughly 2.5 hours from Moab or 1.5 hours from Green River. A four-wheel-drive road leads to the east rim of Horseshoe Canyon from the Hans Flat Ranger Station. All access roads may become impassable during storms.
Rangers lead guided hikes in Horseshoe Canyon April through October. Walks depart the west rim parking lot Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. Special walks may be scheduled for groups of 20 or more by contacting the Hans Flat Ranger Station at (435) 259-2652.

Dead Horse State Park

1 hr scenic drive from the Castle Valley Inn.  Perhaps Utah’s most spectacular state park, Dead Horse Point towers 2,000 feet above the Colorado River - providing a breath-taking panorama of Canyonlands sculptured pinnacles and buttes.  Dead Horse Point State Park is situated on 5200 acres.   The park is open year round.  Located adjacent to Canyonlands National Park Islands in the sky district.   Dead Horse Points altitude is about 6000 feet.  Access is via a 23 mile drive ‘up’ U-313, which begins north of Moab. This state park has a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, modern rest rooms, 21-unit campground, and a large overlook shelter. For more information, write Dead Horse Point State Park, P.O. Box 609, Moab, Utah 84532-0609, or call (435) 259-2614, (800) 322-3770.

Manti La Sal
National Forest

The La Sal Mountains, "the La Sal's" as the locales call them, are one of the best kept secrets in the Moab Area

Castle Valley Inn is only 10 miles from the La Sal's, via the north end of the scenic loop road.  Dramatic landscapes of alpine mountains and high desert plateau come together with striking contrast and beauty.  A diamond in the rough to say the least.  The "Loop road" takes you through the National Forest up to the cool elevations of 9,000' and this great drive begins at mile post 1 on SR 128 from US Hwy 191, just north of Moab.  This amazing drive takes a visitor along the deep serpentine Canyon of the Colorado River, where the daily river trips are, and its towering 1000 ' cliffs of deep red sandstone for 18.5 miles.  Then you intersect the Loop part of the road and head east into Castle Valley on the La Sal Loop Road.  Travel the for 11.7 miles to the Gateway/Moab road sign.  Take the route south to Moab as indicated.  This incredible bending road then heads up into the mountains with the most spectacular vistas of, Castle Valley, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and the Moab Rim, and eventually brings you back to US hwy 191, 5 miles south of Moab.  This highly recommended scenic back way takes about 2 hrs driving time. 
Bring a camera & binoculars.

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