Torrey
Originally established in the 1880s by Mormon Pioneers, it is thought to be named after Jay L. Torrey, the Colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders. Today, the town is home to 182 residents, from descendants of the original settlers to the newcomers, who've come, largely, for the area's incredible beauty and outdoor recreation.
For visitors, Torrey offers lodging, cafes and restaurants, and a visitor information center, though some services may be limited in the winter and early spring.
In and around the Torrey/Capitol Reef area, consider the following popular activities for which guides, rentals, and services are available: hiking, canyoneering, and climbing tours and rentals; ATV, 4-wheel drive, and dirt bike tours and rentals; mountain bike tours and rentals; camping equipment rentals; and more.
Capitol Reef National Park is also an official dark sky park.
Photo: Marcin Zając
International Dark Sky Community
Throughout the year, Torrey can now officially celebrate its pristine dark skies and stargazing opportunities thanks to its 2018 accreditation by the International Dark-Sky Association as an International Dark Sky Community. What this means is that the town came together to protect its night skies by improving outdoor lighting ordinances and retrofitting dark-sky compliant outdoor lighting to minimize light pollution and strengthen the town's already close relationship with nature, place and the universe.
Discover Torrey: Your Capitol Reef Basecamp
Travelers headed to Capitol Reef National Park often don’t know that they’re missing a hidden gem of a town — Torrey, Utah. This small town boasts way more than meets the eye and is your perfect basecamp for a Capitol Reef adventure.
Highlights
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Scenic Byway 12
- Stargazing
- Hunt & Gather Restaurant
- Sulphur Creek Trail
What's Nearby
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Capitol Reef National Park
Even considering Utah’s many impressive national parks and monuments, it is difficult to rival Capitol Reef National Park’s sense of expansiveness, of broad, sweeping vistas, of a tortured, twisted, seemingly endless landscape, or of limitless sky and desert rock.
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Cathedral Valley Scenic Backway
Cathedral Valley, in the northern area of Capitol Reef National Park, has some of the most stunning views around.
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Dixie National Forest
This forest stretches for 170 miles across southern Utah. Visitors can experience its brilliant red spires and cliffs by car or by hiking one of the nature trails in the canyon.
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Fishlake National Forest
This is a paradise known for its beautiful aspen forests, sundry scenic drives, trails, elk hunting, and mackinaw and rainbow trout fishing. Recreational opportunities include scenic drives, mountain biking, snowmobiling, hiking, camping and OHV use.
Discover More
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10 Routes Chosen by Utah Cyclists
We reached out to cycling experts and enthusiasts — in some cases to people who literally wrote the book on cycling in Utah — to get a feel for some of Utah's best road cycling routes.
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15 Non-Technical Slot Canyons
You don’t have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards
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5 Places You Can Try Glamorous Camping in Utah
Experience the fun and adventure of camping with a side of luxury.
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A Wild Bunch of Apples
A new cidery, established in the historic orchard lands of Central Utah, draws upon the paradoxical story of its namesake’s outlaw life running around with Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch.
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A Winter’s Desert: Visiting Southern Utah in the Slow Months
Experiencing the peace of canyon country in the winter is an attraction of its own.
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Across a Snow-Covered Desert
Follow this itinerary for a week-long winter road trip across the snow-covered desert of Southeastern Utah.
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Alpine Fishing Above the Red Rock Landscapes of Southern Utah
Sitting just outside of Capitol Reef National Park, this 11,000-foot peak offers views of the surrounding red canyons and desert-like region. In contrast, Boulder Mountain is heavily forested and home to more than 80 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. With an average rainfall multiple inches more than the lower regions, the area makes for some surprisingly good fishing.
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An Insider’s Guide to Torrey
Look no further than Capitol Reef National Park and nearby Torrey for lesser-traveled red-rock hikes, plenty of lodging options, satisfying dining and night sky as our ancestors knew it.
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Artisan Cheese in Red Rock Country
Two decades ago, Randy Ramsley traded his Dockers-and-tie city job for a 50 acre plot of land that he called a “Garden of Weedin” and the dream of establishing a sustainable farmstead. Now travelers from all over the globe know the small market and counter-service restaurant at Mesa Farm as a refreshing “must-do” respite seemingly plunked in the middle of nowhere on Highway 24 east of Capitol Reef National Park.
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How to Canyoneer Safely
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned canyoneer, here are six expert tips for your next canyoneering adventure.
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Lakeside Near Torrey: Three Ways
Take a trip to this trio of Capitol Reef-area reservoirs where you can swim, fish, kayak and cool-off.
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Meet the Women Fostering the Arts in Central Utah
Women lead the way in Utah’s regional art galleries and exhibitions.
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Meet the Women Leading Utah's Food and Beverage Renaissance
When it comes to food and beverage in Utah, there are key influencers who have been the proponents of change, growth, and the role of women in Utah’s food scene.
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Mesa Farm Market
Best local shops and healthy eats near Moab and Capitol Reef. Try the goat cheese!
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Moonscapes, Marscapes and More
If you want to know what Mars looks like — then the dramatic terrain of Capitol Reef National Park and the surrounding lands are a good place to start.
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Off the Eaten Path: Dining Between the Mighty Five
Whether you’re visiting a single Utah national park or all five, take time to explore and enjoy the local food on the spectacular routes between the parks.
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Permit of Solitude in Robbers Roost
Local guide Christopher Hagedorn leads a group through Robbers Roost in Southern Utah, where wind, water and time has left a primitive maze of canyons.
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See the Fall Leaves Near Utah's National Parks
Sure, any of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round — covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs.
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Serenity Found in Torrey and Capitol Reef’s Cathedral Valley District
Taking Southern Utah’s remote, less-traveled path in Capitol Reef's Cathedral Valley District to nurture your body, mind and spirit.
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The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12
This is 122.863 miles (to be exact) of pure driving bliss. Welcome to Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, a designated All-American Road.
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Torrey Dining
Thanks to it’s location eight miles from Capitol Reef National Park, this remote enclave is a great place to stop for some coffee, ice cream or dinner on your way in or out of the park.
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Utah’s Pie-Ala-Road: A Sweeter Way to Explore the State
Follow the Utah Pie Trail through a scenic landscape of water-sculpted canyons and sandstone peaks and past three iconic national parks to savor the flavor at five delectable pie stops.
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Utah’s Unexpected Pit Stops
You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. How many of these hidden gems have you been to? Here are 11 mini-adventures to check off your list next time you’re road-tripping through Utah.
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Walking Off the Ledge Into Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef is breathtaking, but as you stare across the ledge you realize that some of the best scenery is only accessible by dropping in, 20, 50, sometimes 100 feet or more.
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Winter in Southern Utah Like a Local
Southern Utah comes alive in winter with unexpected experiences for those who are well-prepared and solitude for those who want to expand their view.
